A heavily rotated Lincoln City got the better of ten man Blackpool tonight as the Imps’ clinical finishing saw them run out 4-1 winners in the Carabao Cup second round.
Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw made 11 changes to a Lincoln City side that saw seven full debuts given out following their 3-1 defeat to Portsmouth last time out in the EFL Championship.
For the cup tie, they lined up in a back five formation that saw Josh Honohan start at right-wing back with Rob Street and Tanto Olaofe leading the line.
Although because of that, the Imps seemed to lack the width required to break the Tangerines day as despite looking composed in possession, it was Blackpool that had the better of the chances.
An even first 45
First of all, it was Tom Bloxham who went through on goal 24 minutes in, but Joe Gauci came rushing out well to block the shot from six yards out, before Adam Jackson was forced to slide in two minutes later.
However, the Imps eventually grew into the game as Mason Melia had a weak header well caught before Oloafe capitalised on a mistake in the Tangerines defence and turned the ball beyond Bailey Peacock-Farrell to give Lincoln the lead.
That came despite the visitors having the better of the chances, but City continued to grow into the game before Rob Street and Melia both threatened to double the lead.
Despite that, the game still went in level at the break as Leighton Clarkson spectacularly bent a free kick into the far bottom left corner from 18-yards out.
That sent an even half in level at the break, as Ian Evatt’s side edged the game on chances but City looked composed on the ball while lacking a cutting edge.
City ease through
The second half vastly contrasted the first as the game exploded into life in the first ten minutes after the hosts were reduced to ten men when Olaofe flicked the ball over the head of Cian Ashworth.
The 26-year-old was about to break into the penalty area before he was brought down and the centre-back received his second yellow card, just leaving Tom Bayliss to bend the ball into the far bottom left corner from the resulting free-kick.
Before Rob Street headed home from a corner that was crossed to the near post just a minute later to double the Imps’ lead.
Both wingbacks combined to add another goal for the hosts, with Callum Elder wrapping the game up with 20 minutes to go after Josh Honohan crossed from the right and the left-back came charging in at the back post to volley home City’s fourth.
That brought the game to an end as Lincoln City eased to a 4-1 victory after a heavily changed side struggled to gel in the first 45.
It’s a result that now sees the Imps progress to the third round of the competition for the second year running, with the draw set to take place tomorrow night after Preston North End vs Everton.
Although before that, the Imps must first travel to Bolton Wanderers as they hope to pick up their first league win of the season.