Imps Pre-Season Round Up

Lincoln City rounded out pre-season on Saturday afternoon with a 2-1 win against Arsenal U21 at the LNER Stadium.

The Imps are back in competitive action next weekend, with a trip to Burton Albion on the opening day of the League One season. In the build-up to the match, City have played seven pre-season games with three of those behind closed doors.

Here’s our pre-season round up:

Imps 1-0 Preston North End

City finished a warm weather training camp in Spain with their first pre-season game against Preston North End. The Championship side provided a tough first test of pre-season, with Ryan Lowe naming a fairly strong team including the likes of Robbie Brady and Freddie Woodman.

Jovon Makama scored within the opening two minutes to put City into the lead and that’s exactly how the scores stayed with 23 different players getting minutes including a small cameo for Academy player Zane Okoro and a return to action for Lewis Montsma.

Imps XI eleven (first half): Pardington, Darikwa, Samara, O’Connor, Roughan, Bradshaw, Gallagher, Bayliss, McGrandles, Street, Makama

Imps XI (second half): Jeacock, Benn, Kamara (Montsma 62’), Jackson, Bradshaw, Duffy, Erhahon, McKiernan, Moylan, House (Okoro 87’), Draper

Oldham Athletic 0-0 Imps

Pre-season continued with a trip to National League Oldham Athletic. Despite their fall down to non-league, they remain a good side that gave a young City side a good test.

Okoro and Bola Okewoye both started the game – playing sixty minutes each. City also started with a Trialist, who was never seen again. The game ended with a 0-0 draw but more minutes in the legs for squad was the most important takeaway for Skubala and his coaching staff.

Imps XI (first 60): Trialist A, Montsma, Kamson-Kamara, Bradshaw, Benn, Gallagher, Moylan, Okewoye, Okoro, Draper

Imps XI (last 30): Jeacock, Darikwa, Jackson, O’Connor, Roughan, Duffy, Erhahon, Bayliss, McKiernan, House, Makama

Harrogate Town 0-4 Imps

League Two opposition followed for City with a trip to Harrogate Town, who now find themselves as an established fourth tier side.

City ended the day 4-0 winners with goals coming from Dylan Duffy, Sean Roughan, Freddie Draper and Rob Street. It was an impressive performance from Duffy down the left, who continued to stake his claim for a place in the team – even when Reeco Hackett returns from injury.

Once again Okoro got a runout, representing the Imps Academy, while Montsma got more vital minutes as did Tom Hamer after signing up with the Imps for the 24/25 campaign and beyond.

Imps XI (first 75): Wickens, Darikwa, Jackson, O’Connor, Roughan, Duffy, Erhahon, McKiernan (Moylan 45′), Bayliss, Makama (Street 61′), House (Draper 45′)

Imps XI (last 15): Wickens, Benn, Hamer, Montsma, Kamara, Bradshaw, Gallagher, Okoro, Moylan, Draper, Street

Imps 2-1 Arsenal U21

City rounded out pre-season with a victorious return to Sincil Bank against a talented Arsenal U21 side that included a few names that have been involved with Mikel Arteta’s first team at various points.

An even first half was followed by an impressive second half that saw the Imps on top. The young Gunners took the lead after a mix up at the back but City had an immediate reply. Just moments after coming on, Montsma scored with his first touch, heading into an empty net. It was a special moment for the Dutchman after two back-to-back ACL injuries kept him out of action for over two years. Ben House went on to score the winners thanks to an assist from Jovon Makama, who impressed throughout pre-season.

Imps XI: Wickens, Darikwa (Jefferies 77’), Jackson, O’Connor, Hamer (Montsma 57’), Duffy, Erhahon, Bayliss (Moylan 85’), McKiernan, House (Street 85’), Makama (Draper 85’)

Behind Closed Doors (Leeds, Walsall and Norwich)

City played three friendlies behind closed doors – two of which were covered by the club. The one that wasn’t covered by either club on social media was leaked out by a journalist covering Leeds, who revealed City lost 3-0 although no details on team selection is known.

City won 2-1 at Walsall, with goals coming from Makama and Tom Bayliss while the final behind closed doors game ended in another 2-1 win against Norwich U21, Makama scored once again in that one with the other goal coming from Dom Jefferies.

Pre-Season Stats

Results: 5 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat.

Goalscorers: Makama (3), Bayliss, Duffy, Roughan, Draper, Street, Montsma, House (1)

Goals scored: 11

Goals conceded: 6