Job Done, No Fuss: Imps 3-0 Manchester United Under-21s

October 1, 2025 Gary Headlines, Lincoln City, Matches, Reports 0

From a Tuesday that was no lose against Chelsea, City went into last night’s tie in an almost no-win situation. Lose, and you lose. Scrape a draw, or a narrow win, and you’re meant to.

In fact, the only positive outcome from a game like last night is a resounding win, a clean sheet and any players not in the starting XI in the league putting in a sound, solid shift.

Last night, we won 3-0, and everyone put in a sound, solid shift. A ten-day spell saw us play Luton, Chelsea, Peterborough and Manchester United (kids), and come away with three wins, ten goals, two clean sheets and plenty of pride.

Eleven changes told their own story about the depth Michael Skubala has assembled. Zach Jeacock started in goal behind a back line that mixed senior nous and fresh legs. Hamer wore the armband, Lewis Montsma stepped in from the cold with the assurance of a man who has seen this all before, and Ryley Towler provided the left-footed balance that helps City progress the ball without fuss. On the right, debutant Dexter Lembikisa caught the eye from the first whistle, a powerful, upright runner who looks as comfortable stepping in with the ball as he is defending his yard.

Further forward, Fin Barbrook and Ivan Varfolomeev took on midfield duties with a quiet maturity, the sort of game that rewards anyone who watches the whole picture instead of chasing the ball. Frankie Okoronkwo and Oscar Thorn offered legs and industry between the lines, while Ring began centrally and drifted intelligently to find pockets. Up top, Justin Obikwu led the line and never hid, constantly looking to bend his runs across the last defender and attack the near post.

It’s the starting XI I predicted in my Patreon video, and I even got the captain right, as Chilli Steve can attest to.

This was never going to be a blood-and-thunder affair from the opening minute. United’s youngsters enjoy inviting pressure to play through, and City’s much-changed side pressed in organised bursts rather than constantly. It gave the first half a slightly sterile feel, the sort the competition can throw up, yet through that, there was plenty to learn about individuals.

The Imps looked in control and pressed high at times, sometimes content to let the ball live in United’s half and turn the screw when the angle appeared. United had more of the ball in certain spells, which owed more to safe circulation across their back three than anything incisive. When they did try to accelerate, the door closed. Montsma read the game well, Hamer competed strongly in the air and on the floor, and Towler quietly ate up duels on his side. In front of them, Barbrook and Varfolomeev knitted play with crisp first-time passes that let City face forward quickly.

The better chances before the break fell to the Imps, and both to Obikwu. The first came as Lembikisia and Thorn combined, the latter teeing up our on-loan striker perfectly, only for his sweet strike to be smartly saved by Murdoch.

The second was similar in shape, this time fashioned down the left with Varfolomeev and Ring. They slipped in Okoronkwo, who, in turn, found Obikwu. Again, his movement was sharp, but his effort lacked bite, and again the keeper made the save. On another night, he would have left with two goals. He should not be judged harshly for leaving with neither.

If there was a frustration, it was a familiar one for Trophy group games. The intensity sat a notch below the weekend standard, and the ball speed occasionally mirrored that. Even so, there were good signs. Lembikisa’s first touches under pressure had purpose, his step-inside carries opened lanes into midfield, and his recovery pace erased the only moment United thought they had sprung him.

What I will say is the early kick off meant instead of an episode of Bosch: Legacy, Fe had to watch 45 minutes of Lincoln and Man Utd kids on the box, and she remarked, on more than one occasion, that it didn’t feel like a proper game. As a non-football fan, I think that probably sums up these sorts of ties from a spectator perspective.

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