Lincoln City fielded two different sides in each half against Boston United this afternoon, as the Imps’ pre-season campaign finally got underway with a 1-0 win at the Jakeman’s Stadium.
It seems an age since we were crowned League One champions, and while this was a glorified training session, it was the first official outing featuring a second-tier Lincoln City side since 1962.
The Imps ‘ first-half side included academy player Donald Inyama, alongside a trialist. Oscar Thorn made his first appearance since November, as did Adam Jackson. The last time either player was seen was against Barnsley in the EFL Trophy, a week before our last League One defeat.
Boston featured Lenell John-Lewis, a former Lincoln City player, as well as Gibraltar international Nicholas Pozo, a summer arrival from Lincoln Red Imps.
The Imps made a bright start, with Oscar Thorn looking particularly lively down the right. He forced an early corner after his cross was deflected behind, although the resulting delivery was headed wide. It was a feature of the half that the pacy wide man got away, which is promising for the future.
The breakthrough arrived after seven minutes. Reeco Hackett showed clever footwork on the edge of the area before slipping Tom Bayliss into the left channel, and the midfielder finished confidently to give City the lead.
Boston responded well and began to ask questions of the Imps’ defence. Lenell John-Lewis was released by a ball over the top and saw his effort saved by George Wickens, before Liam Clayton’s follow-up was blocked by Adam Jackson.
Lincoln went straight up the other end, where Bayliss had another effort blocked inside the penalty area, but the game remained 0-0.
The hosts grew into the contest as the half developed. Terrell Agyemang fired wide from range before again causing problems with a sharp flick and turn inside the box, although his final shot missed the target.
There was a competitive edge to the game despite its friendly status, with several firm challenges and a good atmosphere around the ground. Donald Iyama looked composed in the middle for City and put at least one crunching challenge in on Pozo.
Boston continued to threaten before the interval, and Jack Holmes turned smartly on the edge of the area before seeing his deflected effort gathered by Wickens.
With two entirely fresh line-ups in the second half, the game changed, and City dominated proceedings. We came close to extending the lead within three minutes of the restart. Jack Moylan delivered a wicked cross from the right which just evaded Dom Jefferies, who had found acres of space inside the area and appeared ready to score.
JJ McKiernan then scooped a cross-cum-shot over the goalkeeper and onto the roof of the net before being denied what looked a strong penalty claim five minutes later. A poor backpass sent him through on goal, but he was scythed down inside the area and nothing was given. It came moments after Zane Okoro had also been caught by a heavy challenge.
Moylan continued to cause problems, twisting away from his marker before sending a clever outside-of-the-foot cross into the area, although it narrowly avoided the waiting attackers. Jefferies and Okoro then combined well, but the midfielder could only screw his delivery across the face of goal.
Okoro was next to threaten, taking on two defenders before seeing his effort deflected wide. City continued to produce the better football and created another opening when Tendayi Darikwa lifted a throw over the top for McKiernan, whose cross was headed over by Okoro.
Boston briefly threatened from a set-piece after McKiernan brought down Rufus Brooks on the edge of the area, but Michael McBride’s free-kick was blocked by the wall.
The Imps finished strongly and went close twice more through aerial chances. Deji Elerewe headed wide from Ivan Varfolomeev’s teasing cross before Sonny Bradley nodded over from another dangerous delivery by the Ukrainian midfielder. Late on, Jefferies hit the post, denying the Imps a chance to make it two.
It was a solid workout for the Imps, and it didn’t feel much like a pre-season friendly, with a good level of intensity.The attendance was 1,643, with 631 supporters making the trip from Lincoln.
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