Sonny Bradley scored again just three days on from his last as Lincoln City began their Vertu Trophy campaign with a 3-0 win over Notts County.
A fast start:
An early overcast sky looked to threaten the match with a bout of rain, but nothing could be more threatening for the visitors than a seventh minute goal for the Imps.
Bradley’s head connected well from an in-swinging corner from the newly signed Adam Reach to give the home side an early lead.
Lincoln could have easily doubled their lead in the 14th minute as Erik Ring shot high into the Rilmac stand after Ben House found the swede unmarked from a throw-in.
The Imps had a stronghold on the first half and County just didn’t have the answers to try and escape it as a City first half onslaught continued.
Former long-time Sheffield Wednesday servant Reach was consistently looking for Draper but with zero affliction, as they failed to trouble County goalkeeper Harry Griffiths.
A few attempts did finally fall to Notts County, after Tyrese Hall began to push up the field. A cross from the right-hand side did unsettle Imps goalkeeper Zach Jeacock, but Sonny Bradley was there to clear it away.
The Magpies’ best chances came right before the referee Greg Rollason blew his whistle to signal half time as Will Jarvis struck the ball cleanly from outside the area but to no avail for the 22-year-old.
Dominance established
The visitors started the second half the better as Martin Paterson’s side began to progress up the pitch.
Although their success was short-lived each time, the team in green looked a lot more confident, employing a fluid style of play towards the edge of Lincoln’s box.
With just over 30 minutes left, Ben House put his name on the scoresheet for the first time this season as Ring did well to find the midfielder.
The Swede was able to work the ball down left before he played it into the feet of House just inside the penalty area and he was able to slot the ball home.
The visitors may have looked promising in an attacking sense, but a silly defensive mistake allowed James Collins to score his third of the season and put the game to bed.
Michael Skubala’s side continued to apply pressure as new loanee Fin Barbrook flashed a ball across the penalty area but there was nobody there to turn it home.
The game then drew to a close after five added minutes as the Imps top the standings in Group D of the Northern section of the Vertu Trophy.