It was an emphatic 5-0 win for Lincoln City, as the Imps secured a place in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy knockout stages.
Teenage prospect Zane Okoro netted, as City swept to a comfortable victory in front of over 3,000 at the LNER Stadium.
Michael Skubala made nine changes to the team that drew with Bristol Rovers, only Tendayi Darikwa and Dom Jefferies remained in the side. Okoro, who is just 17 years old, and goalkeeper Jamie Pardington both made their first competitive starts for Lincoln, against a strong Manchester City under-21s side who currently top Premier League 2.
Fast Start for Lincoln City:
It was a lightning start for Lincoln as just over five minutes in, Freddie Draper got his third goal of the season to put the Imps ahead. JJ McKieran whipped a great cross into the box, which met Draper perfectly. He powered his header in off the post to give the hosts an early lead.
The home side immediately had a chance to double their advantage. McKiernan attempted a through ball into Okoro, which beat the Manchester City defence but not ‘keeper Max Hudson, who was quick off his line to deny the youngster.
It took the young Citizens 20 minutes to threaten Jamie Pardington’s goal, their first opportunity coming after a corner that was controversially awarded their way. Defender Josh Wilson-Esbtrand had an unchallenged shot from outside the box and forced the Imps shot-stopper into a save down to his right.
Lincoln swiftly regained control of the game, their high press causing the young Manchester City defence problems. A huge chance came when the ball was nicked off a City defender inside the box, but McKiernan could not execute the finish that was required.
The Imps made their domination count just before half-time. Jack Moylan found Sheffield Wednesday loanee Bailey Cadamarteri from a corner, who stabbed it home for Lincoln’s second.
Two nearly became three in first-half stoppage time, as Draper found the back of the net for the second time of the evening. However, he was denied by the linesman’s flag.
Cruise Control for the Imps:
Micahel Skubala’s side began the second-half with the same intensity their showed in the first, adding a third goal immediately after the interval.
Sean Roughan won the ball high up in City’s half and squared it to Rob Street, who took a delicate touch around the goalkeeper and took his time with the finish. It was the striker’s first in Lincoln City colours.
Just under five minutes later, and a glorious chance presented itself to youngster Okoro to get his first goal for Lincoln. A devastating counter attack from the Imps, while Manchester City pushed numbers forward, left them with a two-on-one. Cadamarteri found Okoro well, but his first time finish was too close to Hudson, who made a comfortable save.
Okoro certainly did not let his head drop after the miss as just shy of the hour mark he fired a scintillating strike that made it 4-0. It was the pick of the bunch for the home side, and the 17-year-old academy product’s first goal for the club.
That was not the last of the goals for Lincoln, as in the 64th minute they would find one more through McKiernan. He put the icing on the cake, lashing an effort into the top right-hand corner from just outside the area.
It is now five unbeaten for Lincoln City, who will now look ahead to their trip to Exeter City on Saturday, November 16. The result also puts the Imps through into the knockout stages of the competition they won back in 2018.
Feature Image Credit: Graham Burrell