In focus: Lincoln City match preview

7 December 2020

Take a closer look at the latest stats and facts in our match preview ahead of Town's Papa John's Trophy clash with Lincoln City.

Lincoln City started their Papa John's Trophy campaign with a 4-2 penalty win over Scunthorpe United. The next group game saw the Imps secure a convincing 3-1 win over Sky Bet League Two Mansfield Town. The unbeaten run continued when Michael Appleton's men progressed past Manchester City's under 21's on penalties.

In the league, the Imps have had an impressive start to the season and currently sit second in the league table. In their last five, the Lincolnshire outfit have won three, drawn one and lost one.

Name: Lincoln City Football Club

Nickname: The Imps

Founded: 1884 (136 years ago)

Stadium: Sincil Bank

Capacity: 10,120

Chairman/owner: Clive Nates

Biggest win: 11-1 v Crewe Alexandra, Division Three (North), 29th September 1951

Biggest loss: 3-11 v Manchester City, Division Two, 23rd March 1895

Highest league finish: 5th, Second Division, 1901–02

Read Aaron Wilbraham's thoughts ahead of the tie...

Interviews 7 December 2020

Aaron Wilbraham previews Lincoln City

The Manager – Michael Appleton

Born in Salford, Greater Manchester, Michael Appleton started his playing career at Manchester United under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson, signing professionally for the Red Devils in 1994. However, it was in a spell on loan with The Imps when the combative midfielder made his Football League debut.

Almost a year later, Michael made his debut for his parent club, a 2-1 win in the League Cup against Swindon Town, before following that up in the next round against Leicester City.

Michael cut his coaching teeth with West Bromwich Albion’s academy before stepping into management roles at Portsmouth, Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers. A move to Oxford United in 2014 followed where he had his most successful management period to date winning automatic promotion to the third tier with The U’s. They were also twice runners up in the EFL Trophy in a three-year spell at the Kassam Stadium which led to a move to former Premier League champions Leicester City as assistant manager.

Following the departure of Craig Shakespeare, Appleton stepped into the breach as caretaker for two games, winning both. Before he left the club following a restructure behind the scenes by the incoming manager, Claude Puel.

Michael’s career then brought a return to The Hawthorns in the summer of 2019, as under 23 Manager at West Brom, a role which he held until moving to Sincil Bank as First Team Manager in late September 2019.

Goalkeeper – Alex Palmer

Former England U16 goalkeeper Alex Palmer joined the Imps on loan on 4 September 2020 from Premier League side West Brom. The shot-stopper made his City debut in a 2-1 win over Crewe Alexandra in the Carabao Cup the next day.

Palmer made a name for himself on loan at Plymouth Argyle last season after keeping 15 clean sheets as the Pilgrims gained automatic promotion back to League One. Alex had previously spent time with Kidderminster Harriers, Oldham and Notts County.

Defender – Lewis Montsma

Young Dutch defender Lewis Montsma joined City during the 2020 Summer Transfer Window, signing from Eerste Divisie side, FC Dordrecht.

A product of the SC Heerenveen academy, Montsma spent a year with SC Cambuur before signing professional terms with Dordrecht in 2018. He made his debut for the club against NEC Nijmegen.

Lewis who is six foot three signed a three-year contract with the Imps before being assigned the vacant number four shirt. So far this season, the towering defender has scored four goals in league competition.

Midfielder – Jorge Grant

Initially starting his academy career with Reading, Jorge Grant spent a brief time in the Nike Academy before joining Nottingham Forest in 2013.

The 24-year-old made his professional debut for Forest in 2014 in a 1-0 over Tranmere Rovers. Grant went on to score his first goal for the club in a 3-1 defeat against Spurs in the 2014/15 League Cup.

In order to gain more first team experience, the midfielder joined Notts County on loan in January 2017 for the remainder of the season. He made an instant impact for the side leading to him re-signing for County for the 2017/18 season.

Grant scored 19 goals in 56 appearances for County before joining Luton Town ahead of the 2018/19 campaign. After 17 league appearances, the midfielder then joined Mansfield Town in January 2019 for the remainder of the season. Jorge joined the Imps from Nottingham Forest on a permanent deal in July 2019.

Forward – Tom Hopper

Hopper joined The Imps from Southend United in January 2020, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract.

The Lincolnshire born striker started his career with his hometown club, Boston United, in his teenage years and still holds the record for being their youngest ever outfield player at the age of just 15.

Following his breakthrough at The Pilgrims, he moved to Leicester City where he featured three times in cup competition before heading back North on loan with first Bury and then Scunthorpe United.

His temporary spell with The Iron became permanent in 2015 and he scored 23 times before moving to Southend United in the summer of 2018.

He netted ten times for The Shrimpers in 30 appearances ahead of his move to The Imps, Tom made his City debut as a second half substitute at Portman Road against Ipswich Town in late January 2020.

League stats:

Results: P15 W10 D2 L3

Last five results: LDWWW

Win percentage: 67%

Average points per game: 2.13

Average goals scored per game: 1.33

Average goals per game: 2.00

Average shots per match: 12.29

Average possession: 50%

Fouls per match: 6.93

Offsides per match: 2.29

Top goal-scorer: Jorge Grant - 7

Top Assists: Harry Anderson - 4

Most cards: Timothy Eyoma - 4

Most frequent FT score: 2-0 (3 times)

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Match Reports

Match report: Shrewsbury Town 1 Lincoln City 4

8 December 2020

Town bow out of the Papa John's Trophy.

Shrewsbury Town failed to progress into the next round of the Papa John’s Trophy at the expense of Michael Appleton’s Lincoln City.

The opening exchanges saw some intense pressing from Town, determined to not allow Lincoln time on the ball high up the field, or play out from the back.

Town’s early pressure had the Shrewsbury faithful applauding as Scott High expertly dispossessed Lincoln’s Zack Elbouzedi in the middle and they were able to get on the front foot.

However, it was the away side who created the first major opportunity of the game. Elbouzedi latched onto a cross which was hoisted to the back post. The midfielder met the ball well and the Imps would have found themselves a goal to the good if it wasn’t for a big outstretched glove of Harry Burgoyne.

Moments later, the away side had another chance to break the deadlock. Anthony Scully stepped up and bent a free-kick, around 20 yards out. It was the far post to Town’s rescue as his effort clipped the top right corner and went out for a goal kick.

Anthony Scully then made sure that the deadlock was broken- the two brightest players on the pitch, Elbouzedi and Scully, linked up in the area and Scully made no mistake from just five yards, giving Shrews a job to fight back and grow into the game.

Shrews’ first effort came after 22 minutes. A wonderful turn out of danger from Jan Zamburek made space for him to drive into the area, the ball eventually found Scott High, who on the turn, teed’ the ball up for a fierce volley straight down the throat of Alex Palmer in the Lincoln goal.

Brighter football from Town as they started to work the ball wide, looking for the two central forwards, Jason Cummings and Shilow Tracey.

Tracey’s hold up play was starting to show signs of what new boss, Steve Cotterill, wanted from him. Moving more centrally, Tracey had, on many occasions, been able to turn his man and get Town on the front foot. So far, it was just the lack of a finishing touch that was separating Shrews from getting back into the game.

Another break on the counter saw the Imps double their lead on the 40^th minute. Harry Anderson burst down the right and hung a ball to the back post where, unmarked, Elbouzedi, headed into the ground and into the Town net.

Tracey then was able to half the deficit when an incisive ball through by Cummings put the chance on a plate and the Town forward made no mistake, sending the ball into the far corner. The first time the front two had properly linked up around the area and it paid off for Tracey, who is starting to enjoy scoring goals in the Papa John’s Trophy.

The second-half kicked off with Town on the front foot. Looking to get back into the game, this was expected and the likes of Sean Goss, Dave Edwards and Zamburek were starting the Town attacks to try and get the hosts back into the game.

Lincoln have been a clinical side this season, and that proved as in the 66th minute, Brenan Johnson spurred an Imps attack after winning the ball with a slide tackle and evading the follow-up from Dave Edwards. With his drive forward, were the piling pack of Imps and when the ball found its way into the area, Remy Howarth twisted and slotted the ball past Burgoyne to make restore the away side’s two-goal lead.

The away side added a fourth from the penalty spot on the 78^th minute. Ro-Shaun Williams brought down Anderson in the box and substitute Jorge Grant stepped up and found the bottom left corner to make it 4-1.

The teams:

Town: Harry Burgoyne, Scott Golbourne, Dave Edwards, Sean Goss, Jan Zamburek, Donald Love, Shilow Tracey, Josh Daniels, Ethan Ebanks-Landell (Ro-Shaun Williams 46’), Scott High (Ryan Barnett 65’), Jason Cummings (Charlie Caton 84’).

Subs: Dejan llilev, Ro-Shaun Williams, Ryan Sears, Ryan Barnett, Charlie Caton, Louis Lloyd, Nigel Aris.

Lincoln City: Alex Palmer, Max Melbourne, Anthony Scully, Remy Howarth, Conor McGrandles (Grant 46’), Brenan Johnson, TJ Eyoma (Hayden Cann 82’), Robbie Gotts, Zack Elbouzedi, Harry Anderson, Sean Roughan.

Subs: Sam Long, Tom Hopper, Jorge Grant, Joe Walsh, Hayden Cann.

Referee: Ben Toner

Assistant Referees: Lisa Rashid, Paul Graham

Fourth Official: Scott Simpson

Ticket News

Lincoln City ticket details

7 December 2020

Tickets for Town's Papa John's Trophy clash with Lincoln City are now on sale.

Tickets for Town's game against Lincoln City in the Papa John's Trophy are now on sale to season ticket holders and registered Shrews supporters. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, supporters are encouraged to purchase their tickets online.

If supporters are unable to purchase online, tickets can be obtained from the Salop ticket office at the following times:

Ticket Office Opening Hours:

Monday – 10-2

Tuesday – 10-2