Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala said his team dominated with and without the ball, as they put five past Manchester City under-21s.
On Tuesday night, the Imps booked their place in the knockout stages of the Bristol Street Motors trophy, a competition they won in 2018.
Goals from Freddie Draper, Bailey Cadamarteri, Rob Street, 17-year-old Zane Okoro and JJ McKieran ensured a comfortable victory for the home side.
Domination “With and Without the Ball”:
Lincoln had a controlling presence throughout the game, giving Ben Wilinson’s young side a really tough time. It was a mixture of quality, experience and, as Skubaka noted, a well executed game plan that put the scoreline much in the host’s favour.
He said: “I was really pleased, we dominated with and without the ball. We knew exactly what they wanted to do with the ball and the lads stuck to the game plan magnificently.”
The Imps had 10 shots on target, compared to just two from the visitors, highlighting how controlling their were on the night.
High Press and Preparation:
The high press of Lincoln, mainly led by the attacking force of Cadamarteri, Street, Okoro and Draper caused the Manchester City backline big problems, and was the catalyst of some of the home side’s biggest chances.
Skubala was unsurprisingly very happy with his team’s hard work, confirming that it was something they had been working on in training in the build-up to the game.
He said: “We worked on that loads in training, loads on how we press them and how the press is triggered. Yesterday we were working on it quite a bit and they did that really well.”
A “Fantastic” Tam Performance:
The entire back four seemed to be a make-shift one on the night as all four are recognised in other positions. Left-back Dylan Duffy is traditionally a winger, as is Dom Jeffries who started at right-back. Captain Tendayi Darikwa, who started at centre-back, is a preferred on the right, while his defensive partner Oisin Gallagher is normally a central midfielder.
Skubula was asked what he made of the performance of these players to which he emphatically praised.
“Fantastic, all of them today – I think there were a few players out of position but it’s really important for them to get minutes in their legs,” he said.
Irishman Duffy played especially well considering it was his first start for the club since the defeat to Chesterfield on the September 3. Skubala noted how despite not being in his preferred position, the time back on the pitch will massively benefit him.
“I think Dylan was out of position but he got 45 minutes in that position which will actually help him moving forward.”
It is now five unbeaten for Lincoln City, who are in fine form ahead of their return to SkyBet League One. They next face a trip to Exeter City on Saturday, November 16.