Michael Skubala spoke to the media after Lincoln City’s “magnificent” performance and 2-1 win over Stockport County.
The Imps came from behind to win with two headed goals from strike duo Ben House and Bailey Cadamarteri. They then controlled the game to see out a win over a Stockport side, who were unbeaten in five before kick-off.
“Blueprint” Skubala Performance:
After a brilliant second-half display the Lincoln boss was delighted with the way his side fought back to victory following Stockport’s early opener.
He said: “I thought we were magnificent today, I’ll be honest, I thought if you want a blueprint for how we want to play that was it. We can play with different options, we can go long, we can be short and today to a man we were magnificent.”
The win helped City bounce back from consecutive league defeats for the first time in 2024, while it also ended the visiting Hatters’ unbeaten away streak.
Dominant Despite Falling Behind:
City fell behind early on to a Tanto Olaofe strike, but Skuabala was pleased with the lack of panic in his squad after the setback. He was also quizzed about the win being a response to the 3-0 loss to Crawley Town in midweek.
“We got caught, and what I really liked about us today was that we were still calm, we still played, we still tried to work our way in so that we looked more threatening. They then changed things at half-time because they couldn’t deal with us. They couldn’t deal with our speed on the top line or the way we were building.
“So, it’s a response. We’re going have moments where it’s not going to work for us all the time, and the response is really good because it just shows what this groups got.”
Strike Partnership Impressing:
Ben House and Bailey Cadamarteri scored their fourth and third goals of the season respectively to complete the Lincoln comeback, with the Imps head coach full of superlatives for his strikers post-match.
He said: “It was important we talked to the ‘nines’ about scoring goals because their job is to score, and they’re doing loads and loads for us off the ball. Today, I thought first-half our press, they couldn’t deal with it. When we landed on things it was fantastic and sometimes, they just need to make sure they’re a bit more selfish and I think we saw that today.
“They do so much honest work off the ball, but ultimately their job is to score for us when the ball gets in the box, and I thought they did that well today.”
Montsma Makes First Start Since Return:
Dutch defender Lewis Montsma was given his first league start after returning from a knee injury which ruled him out of action for over 15 months.
His gaffer was keen to praise the 26-year-old, who started a game for the first time since March 2023, saying: “He’s been out, I think he’s played five games in two seasons and been out for 15 months and he’s had to work, work, work behind the scenes.
“He’s had minutes in different competitions but it’s his first league start and I thought he was magnificent. If we can get him going again it’s great and I think that just epitomises that group.”
Lincoln City return to the LNER Stadium on Tuesday, October 29, when they entertain Northampton Town.