Match Review: Burton Albion 2-3 Lincoln City

Lincoln City ensured the 24/25 season got off to a flying start with a dramatic 3-2 win at the Pirelli Stadium.

Two goals from Paudie O’Connor and a debut strike from Tendayi Darikwa ensured the Imps took all three points away from home at Burton Albion. An end to end first-half was followed by a tightly contested second period, which saw the Imps nick all three points at the death thanks to O’Connor’s second of the day.

Burton’s new look side battled well with Michael Skubala’s Imps as they looked to mark a great occasion at the Pirelli. The Brewers’ new owners took to the pitch ahead of kick-off, and with a completely new squad and management staff, they’ll be hoping for a positive season to start a new era.

For the Imps, it was hopefully more of the same after a heartbreaking final day defeat saw Skubala’s side miss out on the playoffs. There’s been 10 new recruits at Sincil Bank – George Wickens, Darikwa, JJ McKiernan and Tom Bayliss all made their full competitive debuts, while Rob Street made his first City appearance from the bench.

The opening exchanges were controlled by City but a goal against the run of play from Burton’s Udoka Godwin-Malife saw the Imps go behind. A response was needed and thats what happened in front of almost 1,500 travelling fans. O’Connor opened his account for the season after a corner was recycled back into the box by Sean Roughan and then Darikwa headed the Imps into the lead after some excellent work on the left hand side from Bayliss. Burton got back on level terms just before the break thanks to a headed effort from Billy Bodin. 

It seemed like City changed a few things at the break, and tightened things up. During the second half, Jack Moylan replaced McKiernan and looked lively, while Freddie Draper came on for Ben House and added a different dynamic. Street was also introduced for Jovon Makama to make his City debut and despite not being on for long, the former Crystal Palace forward almost made his mark on the game, beating his defender on the right and putting a ball across the box that no one was able to latch onto. City did finally get rewarded for their attacking endeavour in the second half – Ethan Erhahon won a free-kick on the left meaning there was a chance to load the ball into the box. Bayliss delivered the ball towards the back post and O’Connor, who nodded home his second of the game and the eventual winner in the 86th minute!

Key Performers

Bayliss was on top form for City on his debut, getting himself two assists from midfield. It wasn’t just his assists that caught the eye, the 25-year-old worked hard all across the pitch and looked like the perfect replacement for the creativity of Ted Bishop and Danny Mandroiu. 

O’Connor not only scored two goals, matching his season total from 23/24, he was strong at the back and put his body on the line multiple times throughout the second half, especially in the last few moments of the game. A real captain’s performer from central defence. 

New recruits Darikwa and Wickens played a key part too – the former getting a goal and the latter making a key save at the end. One player that hasn’t received too much praise from fans is Adam Jackson, the defender stood strong at the back throughout the second half especially and like O’Connor put in some big blocks in the dying moments. 

AllLincoln MOTM

The AllLincoln MOTM is O’Connor. The defender’s performance was a key part of City’s victory, scoring the eventual winner and matching his tally from last season in just one game.

Next up

City return to Sincil Bank on Tuesday night, with a Carabao Cup Round 1 fixture to come against Harrogate Town. The Imps beat their next opposition 4-0 in a pre-season outing just a few weeks ago, with goals coming from Dylan Duffy, Roughan, Draper and Street. 

Some rotation to the squad should be expected, and we could Tom Hamer and Lewis Montsma come in at central defence. Moylan could start in midfield, while Street and Draper could replace House and Makama. The game could also give Skubala a chance to look at Jay Benn, who made the bench at Burton, and make a decision on his future.