Technically, it began at Guiseley in the FA Cup qualifying rounds, but humour me.
On November 5th, 2016, we finally ended our FA Cup first-round hoodoo as goals from Sean Raggett and Alan Power saw off Altrincham at a blustery Sincil Bank, sealing the Imps’ first progression to round two since 2012.
We were National League leaders, and we dominated for long spells but were made to work hard by a spirited Altrincham side who refused to fold, ensuring a nervy finish to what should have been a far more comfortable afternoon for Danny Cowley’s men.
Early dominance rewarded by Raggett
City started brightly, pressing high and forcing errors from the visitors. The first real chance came on ten minutes when Harry Anderson dispossessed a defender 25 yards out before thundering a powerful strike against the crossbar with goalkeeper Andrew Dawber beaten.
That moment set the tone, and it was no surprise when the breakthrough arrived. From a Sam Habergham corner in the 21st minute, defender Sean Raggett rose above the crowd to plant a firm header beyond Dawber and give the Imps the lead their dominance deserved.
Lincoln controlled the remainder of the first half, with Alex Woodyard dictating the tempo and Nathan Arnold causing constant problems on the left flank. Despite several promising openings, the Imps couldn’t find a second goal before the interval.
Power doubles the lead
After the restart, Lincoln continued to press, with Theo Robinson missing two clear chances to put the tie to bed. But the decisive second finally came just before the hour mark when Arnold burst through the centre and slipped in Alan Power, who produced a composed finish into the bottom corner to make it 2–0.
The goal sparked relief around Sincil Bank, and for the next fifteen minutes City looked in complete control. Altrincham offered little going forward, while substitutes Matt Rhead and Terry Hawkridge were introduced to help see the game out.
Late scare but job done
The visitors gave themselves a lifeline with fifteen minutes remaining when a corner was swung in from the right and John Cyrus climbed highest to head home from close range, halving the deficit and giving Alty renewed hope.
That goal injected brief tension into proceedings, but Lincoln remained resolute at the back, with Luke Waterfall and Raggett dealing well with a series of late crosses. The final whistle was greeted with relief rather than elation, but the result ensured safe passage into the second round — and ended a frustrating four-year run of first-round exits.
Lincoln City: Farman, Wood, Habergham, Waterfall, Raggett, Power, Anderson, Arnold, Woodyard, Robinson (Muldoon 57), Rhead (Hawkridge 73).
Subs not used: Walton, McCombe, Weatherell, Miles, Marriott.
Altrincham: Dawber, Obeng (65), McWilliams, Cyrus, Hannigan, Moult (46), Lenighan (64), Wilkinson, Miller, Lawrie, Reeves.
Subs not used: Deasy, Heathcote, Patterson, Richman, Marsh.
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