Lincoln City head back to the LNER Stadium in hopes of securing a return to winning ways when Stockport County roll into town.
The Imps have suffered back-to-back league defeats for the first time since the turn of the year, as Crawley Town ended their impressed unbeaten away streak in midweek. The promoted side put three past City, handed them their first away loss since New Year’s Day.
Now attention turns to Lincoln’s designated Remembrance fixture, as a Stockport side in mixed-form visit Sincil Bank.
Opposition – Stockport County:
Dave Challinor’s Stockport were another of the promoted sides to enter SkyBet League One this term, after clinching the fourth tier title.
They have adjusted to life one level higher well, and sit one place above Lincoln City, in ninth.
The Hatters have lost just one of their last 12 outings, that a 4-1 hammering at home to Leyton Orient.
However, of their last five games, Stockport have won just once, alongside four draws. Like their hosts, they have not won since the October international break.
Meanwhile, they have yet to taste defeat away from home this term, and are the only team left in the division who can say that.
Team News:
Lincoln City remain without summer recruit Tom Bayliss and striker Tyler Walker with their respective injuries. Michael Skubala’s men will go in search of their first home win over Stockport since 2005, since 19 years ago.
The Imps boss confirmed that Jovon Makama remains “touch and go” for Saturday’s game, while fellow striker Rob Street is also likely to miss the encounter.
For Stockport, Fraser Horsfall could return to the squad after serving a one-match suspension. Defender Ethan Pye is close to collecting a ban himself, with the County academy product sitting on four bookings.
Head-to-Head:
Dating back to 1990, the two sides have equal records in the football league. They have both beat the other 41 times, with 20 draws also taking place between City and County.
They last meet in 2013, with Stockport coming away with a 2-0 victory. The most recent four quartet of meetings between the two sides have taken place in the National League, with two draws and two Hatters victories.
This is the first League One match between the two sides, while their last EFL meeting was a seven-goal thriller that the Imps won 4-3 in January 2011.
Played for Both:
Among the Stockport County ranks is a former Lincoln City loanee. Lewis Fiorini spent the 2021/22 season at the LNER Stadium. He scored six League One goals during the term.
After further loan spells, linking up with Michael Appleton again at both Blackpool and Charlton Athletic, the former Manchester City youngster signed permanently for Stockport.
County forward Kyle Wootton also spent a loan stint at Lincoln, playing a handful of times for the Imps in 2015 when he was on the books of Scunthorpe United.
Finally, Lincoln City legend Colin Murphy also enjoyed spells at Stockport during his storied managerial career.
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