Lincoln City striker Joe Taylor says his first two goals for the Imps are a “weight lifted off my shoulders”.
City are preparing for a potentially crucial game against Stevenage, as they look to catch Steve Evans’ side in their late dash for the playoffs.
“I’ve always been a confident player”:
Speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire, Taylor said: “It took me a while to get that first one out the way, but I think I found myself at times almost trying too hard to get that first goal. Obviously, when I got that first goal against Exeter [City] and then that one against Port Vale, inside two minutes, I was full of confidence.”
The Luton Town loanee got his account underway in a 1-0 win over Exeter City on February, 17. That came after five games without a goal for his new club.
However, Taylor didn’t have to wait long for his second. Inside the first two minutes of Lincoln’s visit to Port Vale, he pounced on a defensive error to double his goal tally.
“I’ve always been a confident player. It’s just that I find myself working too hard to try and get that first goal, so it did feel like a weight lifted off my shoulders I must admit,” he said to LincSport.
The 21-year-old may not have added a third goal in as many games during City’s dominant win over Shrewsbury, but he notched a first assist for Michael Skubala‘s men.
Partnership with Ben House:
Taylor was asked about what it’s like playing with Ben House, a striker that the Imps head coach described as one of the best in SkyBet League One.
He said: “It’s a dream to be honest. His off the ball work is second to none, it’s up there with the best I’ve seen. He’s hands down the best that I’ve worked with.”
House returned from injury in February and has found the back of the net once since re-joining the starting-11.
Nine games unbeaten:
Lincoln are on an incredible unbeaten run, one that is the joint-longest in the EFL alongside Leeds United.
On the atmosphere in the dressing room, Taylor said: “It’s very positive. We are unbeaten in nine now, and that’s five wins out of the last six as well. So, obviously the mood is really, really positive. It’s all about carrying on the momentum now.”
The unbeaten streak means Taylor has yet to taste defeat in Lincoln colours, since he joined on loan in January.
“It’s nice to maintain that personal run, but also on a team note it’s brilliant. We’re looking up now and we’re trying to do everything we can to catch that last playoff spot,” he said.
Stevenage up next…
The visit of Stevenage is potentially key in shaping how the playoff race looks come April. Lincoln are eight points off Steve Evans’ side, who occupy the last playoff spot heading into the kick-off at the LNER Stadium on Saturday.
Taylor said: “You can argue that towards the latter stages of the season every game is massive, but this one obviously given they will be one of the teams in and around the playoffs, for us to go and catch them we need to get a positive result this weekend.”
Follow LincSport on Twitter/X for coverage of Lincoln City vs Stevenage on Saturday, March 2.
Feature Image Credit: Lincoln City FC YouTube Channel