Into the Playoffs – Imps 1-0 Leyton Orient

City moved into the play-off places on Friday afternoon, thanks to a late goal from Jovon Makama.

The performance wasn’t on the same level we’ve seen in recent weeks, but Michael Skubala’s side managed to secure a crucial three points with a goal in stoppage time from substitute Makama. Other results in League One meant the Imps finally put themselves into the playoff places, which puts it into our hands going into the final six games of the season.

I’ve not had the time this weekend to write a full match report, and with our trip to Carlisle coming so soon on Monday afternoon, I can’t write my thoughts later in the week. Instead of the usual match report, I’ve put together the thoughts of Jovon Makama and Michael Skubala from their post-match interviews and the match pictures from Graham Burrell.

Jovon Makama: “It was a big three points!”

Jovon Makama was the hero at Sincil Bank on Friday scoring the winner and the striker was pleased to get on the scoresheet.

“The ball came over the top and I’ve gone to hold it up, but I’ve been dragged to the side a bit so I counter-pressed and I didn’t lose my head, I managed to block his pass then drove inside and struck it into the bottom corner.

“The boys all came over buzzing, it was a big three points and of course we’re now in the top six.”

The 20-year-old has praised the coaching staff at the Imps, and spoke about their belief in him and how that’s helped him progress over the season.

“The coaching staff all believe in me; I talk to them all the time. I just have to keep my head down, stay focused, and keep working hard every single day and that’s what I’ve been doing, and recently there’s been a big improvement.

“It’s all about counter pressing, instead of dropping your head when you lose the ball you go straight back for it and win it straight back, and that is exactly what I did which obviously led to the goal.”

Michael Skubala: “The game is built on clean sheets.”

Michael Skubala was pleased with the result on Friday, which saw City go into the top six for the first under his management.

Before the international break, the Imps scored 16 goals in three games against Barnsley, Cambridge and Bristol Rovers. Skubala has highlighted the importance of wins like Friday, which see the whole team battle hard for 90 minutes to grind out a result.

“We came in off the back of a two week break from playing and having scored a lot of goals in our last three games, but we need these types of wins as well. We’ll have to fight for points and we ground a win out.

“Football is built on clean sheets and the backline were phenomenal again on Friday.”

He also took time to praise Jovon Makama for his goal and Freddie Draper for his influence from the bench. Makama scored his second League One goal of the season, and his first at Sincil Bank. Draper also came off the bench, enjoying his best outing since being recalled from Walsall in January.

“It was a tough game for us, but Makama and Draper have come on and affected the game, playing against the wind and how we wanted to do it. Makama took his moment and his goal well, and we had to scrap it out but I’m really pleased for the young lads.

“He’s still learning, which we have to remember, but we know he has that finish in him. I see the quality they all bring in training every day. I’m really pleased he’s got that goal which sealed three points.”

The final whistle saw City move up into the playoff positions, and Skubala was pleased to see the progress made by the group since January.

“The team has been phenomenal since the Wycombe game in January.

“If you are not on it and don’t put in 100%, you get hurt. We have to be on it at Carlisle on Easter Monday. There’s no point putting in a shift like we did on Friday and then coming undone there.

“There was brilliant energy in the stadium from the fans today and it pushed the lads on. It was rocking and got us over the line.”