One More Time: Imps 3-0 Rotherham United

March 21, 2026 Gary Lincoln City, Matches, Reports 4

Lincoln City took a huge step towards the Championship, and the League One title, with as 3-0 win against Rotherham at Sincil Bank.

The first league victory against the Millers at the Bank this century came against the backdrop of title rivals Cardiff City dropping points in the lunchtime kick-off against Blackpool. As the players left the field at the Bank, another relegation-threatened club, Port Vale, were taking points off Bolton Wanderers.

Indeed, Skubala left the field to the tune of One More Time by Daft Punk, the reality is that ‘one more win’ will see City secure Championship football for next season. One More Win.

City made three changes from the side that drew at Huddersfield in midweek, with Reeco Hackett, Ivan Varfolomeev and Ryley Towler in for Alfie Lloyd, Dom Jefferies, and the injured Adam Reach. Stacey West Patreon sponsored Erik Ring came back on the bench after missing out in recent weeks.

Joe Powell, known for scoring and playing well against the Imps, missed out for the visitors after coming off injured in the 5-0 drubbing at Peterborough.

City were hunting for revenge in many ways. Rotherham put three past us at their place earlier in the season, but 15 years ago, in March 2011, Rotherham came to the Bank having sacked a manager and bagged six in one of the lowest points of my Imps’ life.

City started quickly and immediately put the visitors under pressure. An early corner led to a Tom Hamer long throw, the second of the opening minutes, and that eventually resulted in a Rob Street effort being blocked for another corner, although the delivery came to nothing. The early signs were clear though, Lincoln were on the front foot and playing in Rotherham’s half.

The game had a bit of edge to it early on as well, with Ben House clattering into Joe Rafferty shortly after the Rotherham captain had been caught in a challenge, which did not go down well with the visitors. A few minutes later Ar’Jany Martha went down claiming he had been caught in the face, but play continued and he was quickly back on his feet to a chorus of boos, even his own bench urging him to get back into position and defend.

City’s pressure paid off midway through the half when they took the lead. Good play down the left saw Ryley Towler thread a pass through for Reeco Hackett, and although his shot was touched by goalkeeper Ted Cann, the ball crept underneath him and into the net to give Lincoln a deserved advantage.

Rotherham tried to respond and had a spell where they pushed forward looking for a way back into the game. A deep free kick caused a few problems but was eventually cleared for a corner which City dealt with, and Duncan Watmore was furious not to be awarded a penalty shortly afterwards, chasing the referee and hammering the turf in frustration. He may have had a case, but nothing was given.

The visitors did create a couple of chances during that spell. Rafferty got around the back to meet a deep cross but headed wide, and later Liam Kelly fired wide from distance after a corner was worked out to the edge of the area.

However, just as Rotherham were trying to build momentum, City struck again. Tendayi Darikwa played a ball over the top which Hackett ran onto before delivering a cross for Ben House, whose volley was partially saved by Cann but still dropped into the net to make it 2-0.

Lincoln were now playing with real confidence and should probably have added a third soon after. Towler delivered a cross which Hackett nodded down into the path of Jack Moylan, whose shot beat Cann but angled just wide of the post. Cann was then forced into another save after good work between Street and House as City continued to threaten.

The third goal did eventually arrive just before the break. Another long throw caused problems in the Rotherham box, Hackett saw his first effort blocked, but reacted quickest to fire home the rebound and make it 3-0.

City were still looking for more before the whistle, and Ivan Varfolomeev volleyed wide right on half time, but the Imps went into the break with a commanding three-goal lead after one of their most dominant first-half performances of the season.


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4 Trackbacks / Pingbacks

  1. Sonny Bradley Makes Lincoln City Title Claim | The Stacey West
  2. ‘It’s For The Fans To Dream’ – Michael Skubala Reacts As Championship Promotion Draws Closer | The Stacey West
  3. Analysis: Lincoln City Not Getting Carried Away, But Fans Can | The Stacey West
  4. ‘I Hope They Get Over The Line’ – Rotherham United Manager Pays Huge Tribute To Imps | The Stacey West

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