Lincoln City aim to collect their first consecutive league wins since January on Saturday, November 20th, when they take on fellow strugglers Hereford United at Sincil Bank (kick-off 3pm).
The Imps will be full of confidence after last weekend’s 2-1 win at Morecambe, where the second half performance in particular will have given City boss Steve Tilson optimism that he can pull his side further away from the League Two drop zone.
Tilson, who celebrated a month in charge at Sincil Bank on Thursday, said: “From then (20 minutes into the game) on, especially the second half, I think we did ever so well and probably could have won by two or three goals.”
“On the whole it was another really good performance and obviously really pleased to get the first league win.”
Loanee Luke Howell, who suffered a gash on his ankle in the win against Morecambe, will definitely miss this weekend’s game and is unlikely to feature for Lincoln again after being ruled out for three to four weeks. Moses Swaibu will also be missing from the Imps line-up as he is due to serve a one match suspension, while Paul Green continues to watch on from the sidelines.
There is some good news on the injury front for City though. Adam Watts could return to the side after joining in with training on Thursday.
Hereford United fell into the relegation zone in place of City last week after drawing 1-1 with Cheltenham but Jamie Pitman’s team are without a defeat in seven games and will provide stern opposition for the Imps.
The Bulls have strengthened their squad further with the loan addition of Doncaster Rovers defender Byron Webster. One of the Imps’ own loan players, under-fire Celtic striker Ben Hutchinson thinks that Lincoln can expect a typical fourth tier fixture at the weekend.
Hutchinson said: “I think they will be the same as most other teams in this league—physical, maybe direct. But we’re going out to get the three points. We’re at home so I think we have the advantage and we’re full of confidence.”
The former Middlesbrough player has been criticised by fans for allegedly hurling abuse at home supporters during Lincoln’s 2-0 home defeat to Northampton earlier in the month. However Hutchinson denied aiming offensive comments at any home fan in particular.
He said: “It was a frustrating night for myself personally and maybe I said something in frustration but I never directed anything at anybody… the fans are entitled to their opinions.”
“It’s not going to stop me putting effort in on a Saturday and it’s not going to stop me trying to score goals. That’s my job, that’s what I want to do and that’s what I have to do to move on. Whatever happens with the fans, I don’t really mind to be honest. It’s always nice if they’re cheering you but if they’re going to boo, they can boo.”
The two teams last met at Sincil Bank last season when the World Cup was shown off to Imps supporters at half time during Lincoln’s comfortable 3-1 victory.