Lincoln City hit five past Bristol Rovers in a commanding performance, recording consecutive home wins thanks to a Jovon Makama hat-trick
It was the first time since October, when Stockport County and Northampton Town were beaten in succession, that the Imps had managed back-to-back wins at the LNER Stadium.
Makama set Lincoln on their way, before stunning efforts from both Tom Bayliss and James Collins. Then, Makama finished off a hat-trick in the second-half, continuing to shine in his new position.
Lincoln City start brightly against the Gas:
Michael Skubala made two changes from the side that narrowly lost at league-leaders Birmingham City, swapping Ben House and Adam Jackson for Reeco Hackett and Tom Hamer. In other team news, Erik Ring returned to the bench.
And it was Lincoln who started the brightest. Tom Bayliss had an early shot blocked and James Collins saw an effort deflected onto the side netting within the first five minutes.
In contrast to the start against Crawley Town, the Imps were on the front foot. Bayliss was involved again, laying a neat cutback to Reeco Hackett for a shot that was strongly parried clear by Jed Ward.
The Gas had made two switches of their own, one being the exclusion of dangerman Chris Martin due to injury.
Ward was again called into action a quarter of an hour in, saving well from a sternly hit Jovon Makama shot on the right of the Bristol penalty area.
The game slowed from then on, with Inigo Calderon’s men getting more of a foothold on the game and stemming the flow of Lincoln chances.
Jovon Makama shines again:
That was until the 31st minute, when Makama cut in from the right flank and rifled the ball into the roof of the Bristol net. It was the youngster’s ninth of the campaign, and a third in four games for the in-form attacker.
He looked to turn provider moments later, fizzing a ball to Collins. The former Derby County striker pivoted, but fired his shot wide.
It took until the 41st minute for a shot on goal for the visitors, coming in the form of a tame Jack Hunt header that was easily grabbed by George Wickens.
A quickfire Imps double before the Makama hat-trick:
Bayliss added the Imps’ second in remarkable fashion, looping the ball over the head of Ward in the Rovers goal and in off the far post direct from a corner. Sam Clucas managed similar heroics earlier on in the season, at Mansfield Town, with Bayliss’ goal adding a much-needed cushion just after the break this time.
And, Lincoln did not need to wait long for the third. Collins dutifully provided it with a stunning curler from just outside the box, picking out the top corner to put the game beyond the struggling Rovers.
Ruel Sotiriou had seen a shot saved in the closest Bristol came to troubling the scoreboard operator, before Makama doubled his tally for the afternoon just beyond the hour mark. He slid the ball home after working his way past a number of challenges.
Makama then found his hat-trick with ten minutes to go, snapping a neat effort into the bottom corner. He got a rapturous applause when substituted off moments later, recognition for a true man of the match showing.
Hat-trick hero Makama stole the headlines as City recorded their second win in as many home games, notching a commanding performance that matched the scoreline.
Next up for Lincoln is the visit of Exeter City on Saturday, March 22.