The third best opening day since 1987, in my opinion, came with the realisation that finally, we’d found a winning formula in the National League.
A new-look side under new management, the Imps arrived in Surrey with optimism but little in the way of expectation. What unfolded at the Laithwaite Community Stadium was a composed and clinical performance, defined not by dominance, but by ruthlessness and control.
Looking back, it wasn’t a perfect display. But even on that scorching August afternoon, there were early signs that something had shifted. That the culture had changed. And while it would be months before the rest of the division took serious notice, those present witnessed the birth of a team that could impose itself: quietly at first, but with growing conviction.
The opening exchanges were even. Woking, with a host of new faces, showed early purpose without offering much incision. The Imps, by contrast, looked direct. Sam Habergham’s long throws caused early issues, and Bradley Wood and Nathan Arnold each registered efforts before Matt Rhead’s aerial threat began to shape the contest.
The breakthrough came just before the half-hour. It wasn’t flashy, but it was effective. A long ball to the back post caught the home defence napping. Rhead nodded it down to Adam Marriott, who took a clever touch to lose his marker before finishing at the near post. It was smart centre-forward play, both in the assist and the finish, and the first goal of the Cowley era.
Woking tried to respond before the break. They carved out a couple of chances: Ben Gordon’s low drive was well saved by Paul Farman, and Gozie Ugwu tested the defence in the air, but there was little sustained pressure. The home side were industrious, but City were composed. There was no panic, just discipline and shape.
Whatever was said in the Woking dressing room at half-time had the desired effect, at least briefly. Less than sixty seconds after the restart, they were level. A low corner drifted through the crowd and substitute Ismail Yakubu stabbed it home.
It was a poor goal to concede, avoidable and scrappy. For a few minutes after the equaliser, Woking had their best spell of the match. They forced corners and tested the Imps’ ability to stay calm under pressure. Farman was called into action, but the defence held, even as the momentum appeared to shift.
Then came the second Imps goal. Simple, effective, and decisive.
Jack Muldoon, playing wide on the left, broke with purpose. His ball across the box found Rhead unmarked at the far post. The big striker did the rest, side-footing past Michael Poke with assurance. The move itself wasn’t complex, but the timing and execution punished a defence caught flat.
From there, we were in control again. A foul on Rhead gave Poke the chance to make a smart save from the resulting free-kick, but just minutes later the Woking stopper was beaten from the spot. Another clumsy challenge, this time from Ben Gordon, saw the referee point to the spot. Rhead stepped up and buried it for 3–1.
With just over 15 minutes to play, Rhead had a golden chance to complete a debut-day hat-trick when Lincoln were awarded a second penalty. This time, Poke guessed correctly and saved the effort low to his left.
Even so, Woking didn’t muster much by way of a fightback. A glancing header from Charlie Penny was the only real scare in the final stages, while substitute Miles Taylor could have added a fourth at the other end.
The final whistle confirmed the victory. Three goals. Three points. And an early statement from a side that would go on to make plenty more before the season was out.
It would be unfair to suggest anyone left the ground that day predicting the eventual outcome of the campaign, but in hindsight, the signs were there.
Farman was solid. Rhead was a focal point. Marriott’s finish oozed confidence. Muldoon and Arnold showed energy in the wide areas. And Alex Woodyard, who quietly knitted everything together in midfield, already looked like a vital cog.
There were areas to improve, certainly. A soft goal conceded. A few too many yellow cards. But the hallmarks of what would become a title-winning side: organisation, physical presence, and an edge in both boxes, were already present.
For City fans, it wasn’t just a win. It was proof that this was a team with direction. After years of drift, we had found momentum.
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