Lincoln City kickstarted their 2022/23 League One campaign with a 1-1 draw against newcomers Exeter City. Sam Nombe struck early for the visitors until newly named club captain, Tom Hopper, headed the ball from distance in the 49th minute.
The Imps’ Sky Bet League One season kicked off a week earlier than the last year to accommodate for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
It was Head Coach Mark Kennedy’s first game in charge of a competitive fixture for the Imps, saying post-match that he was “very pleased” with their 1-1 draw.
On the 37th minute, there was applause for Lincoln City supporter David ‘Picky’. The referee paused the game with both sets of players applauding and Exeter City fans holding up a sign reading ‘One Football Family’.
Kick Off
The Grecians came out of the blocks flying, attacking what looked to be a nervy Lincoln side. After 14 minutes, Jeavni Brown produced a fantastic piece of individual magic, turning Regan Poole and Lasse Sorensen. This then allowed him to play the perfect through ball to Sam Nombe who slotted the ball into the bottom right corner past Carl Rushworth.
Exeter then had another chance to score on the break. But the final cross into the box had just too much on it for Jeavni Brown to put away.
Lincoln began to grow into the game later into the first half with a speculative distanced shot from Sorenson narrowly missing the target.
Half-Time – Lincoln City 0-1 Exeter City
Similar to Exeter in the first half, Lincoln started very strong and in the 49th minute, Hakeeb Adelakun put in a superb cross to find Tom Hopper who lobbed the keeper with a backward header from distance.
Exeter had very few chances but when Josh Coley had a clear strike at goal, new signing Paudie O’Connor threw his body on the line with Rushworth then saving the rebounded low shot.
Adelukan who looked a different player from what was a disappointing season last year was at the focal point of most Imps’ attacks. He put in another great cross to the back post where Anthony Scully volleyed it over.
Scully once more found himself in a great opportunity to score at the very end of the game but a goalmouth scramble denied the Irish-born winger.
Full Time: Lincoln City 1-1 Exeter City
Mark Kennedy will take lots of positives from this game with his side looking to play on the front foot and playing more attractive football compared to last season.
Next up for the Imps is Portsmouth away where they will see familiar faces at Fratton Park in ex-Imps manager Danny and his brother Nicky Cowley.