In their first competitive home game of the season, Lincoln City host League Two’s Harrogate Town in the opener round of the Carabao Cup.
The Imps come into this game after a successful trip to Burton, beating the Brewers 3-2 after going behind after just five minutes. Paudie O’Connor’s brace and Tendayi Darikwa’s debut goal were enough for the three points.
Last season, Lincoln progressed to the third round of the Carabao Cup, falling to the hands of Premier League side West Ham United, after beating Notts County and Sheffield United in the first two rounds.
Opposition: Harrogate Town:
Harrogate manager Simon Weaver is the longest serving manager in the EFL, being appointed as Town’s player-manager in May 2009, over 15 years ago.
Weaver’s side come into this game looking for redemption following a 2-0 defeat to newly promoted Bromley on Saturday. The North Yorkshire outfit finished last season in 13th, seven points behind the play-off spots and 21 clear of relegation.
The Sulphurites will look to progress to the second round of the Carabao Cup once again, after losing 8-0 to Blackburn Rovers in the second round last year.
Team News:
When quizzed on Tuesday night’s game, Michael Skubala told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: “We want to take every competition seriously, let’s get the wagon rolling”
The injury concerns Lincoln felt as the season started will be lifted following the first game of the season.
Sean Roughan started for the Imps in their 3-2 win following concern when missing against Arsenal U21s in pre-season. Striker Freddie Draper came on, too, despite being taken off against Harrogate in pre-season.
Lincoln could rotate, with potential starts for newcomer Rob Street. Meanwhile, Skubala may use the match as an opportunity to try new goalkeepers Zach Jeacock or Jamie Pardington.
The away side will assess Jame Belshaw’s situation after he was forced off with injury in the first half of Harrogate’s clash with Bromley. Weaver will surely hope to have Stephen Dooley and Liam Gibson back in contention after both players missed the season opener.
Head-to-Head:
The match on Tuesday will be the first in competitive fashion for the two sides, having only met once previously – in the 2024/25 pre-season. City won that tie by four goals to nil, thanks to goals from Dylan Duffy, Sean Roughan, Freddie Draper and Rob Street.
Played for both:
Winger Jack Diamond was loaned out to Harrogate on three different occasions (between 2019 and 2022) while at Sunderland, before spending a spell at Lincoln during the 2022/23 season. New Stockport County man Diamond scored six goals in 31 appearances for City, and was an important asset for the club during his time there.
Town manager Simon Weaver had a two year stint at Lincoln City during his playing days, signing for the club in 2002. The defender played 88 times for the Imps, scoring four times before having a transfer request granted at the start of the 2004/05 season.
Jack Muldoon is one current Harrogate player who played for the Imps, signing for Town six years ago. Between 2015-2017, Muldoon played 71 times for City, scoring 12 times before moving to AFC Fylde. While at Lincoln, the striker won the National League, and has since won the FA Trophy and the National League play-offs with Harrogate.
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