Lincoln City progressed to the second round of the League Cup this afternoon, earning their first-ever win in Derby.
City didn’t name a single new signing in their starting XI: Joe Gauci, Andrei Coubis, Mason Melia, Tanto Olaofe and Callum Elder all started on the bench. Freddie Draper, Ben House and Rob Street all started for City, with Dom Jefferies returning after his injury last weekend.
Derby started with former Imp Joe Ward in the side, while Josh Vickers began the game on the bench. Sammie Szmodics, a panto villain for most Imps fans, also started the game.
The home side were stunned by a superb City start as the Imps raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening 23 minutes at Pride Park.
The Imps struck with virtually their first attack of the afternoon after Freddie Draper’s work earned a corner in the third minute. The delivery was sent deep into the Derby penalty area, where Ben House was on hand to flick the ball home and give the visitors the perfect start.
Derby looked for an immediate response and Sammie Szmodics found space at the back post from a free kick four minutes later, but his effort was blocked behind for a corner.
The hosts began to enjoy more of the ball, but City continued to carry a threat whenever they broke forward. A long throw caused problems in the 12th minute before Deji Elerewe was eventually caught offside as he attempted to hook the ball back into the danger area.
Derby then had a sustained spell of pressure without seriously troubling the City goal, and the Imps nearly punished them on the counter after 20 minutes. House found space around 20 yards out and tested Jacob Widell Zetterström, although the Derby goalkeeper was equal to his effort.
Three minutes later, City did have their second. Draper collected possession in midfield and produced an excellent pass to release Dom Jefferies through the Derby defence. Jefferies kept his composure before finishing across Zetterström to put City 2-0 ahead and cap an outstanding opening quarter.
A water break followed shortly afterwards despite the distinctly English surroundings, before Derby attempted to regain some control of proceedings.
Szmodics caused problems down the City side and got the better of Adam Reach in the 32nd minute, forcing Reach to pull him back and collect the first booking of the afternoon. Lewis Travis followed him into the referee’s notebook three minutes later. A loose Derby pass threatened to send City away again and, with Conor McGrandles looking to exploit the mistake, Travis brought the midfielder down.
The resulting free kick offered City another opportunity to increase their advantage, but the delivery was poor and struck the Derby wall.
City continued to look dangerous whenever they reached the final third and went close again four minutes before the interval. Jefferies sent a deep cross into the area which eventually dropped to House, but the striker saw his effort blocked as Derby survived further pressure.
The hosts then struck a superb goal to get back into it. House’s header fell to Szmodics, who lined up a shot from 25 yards to beat Wickens, who had no chance.
Derby made a change at the break, with Matt Clarke replaced by Dion Sanderson, but it was City who again started the half on the front foot.
House picked up an early booking after arriving late on Travis in the 48th minute, before almost adding his second goal two minutes later. He got away from the Derby defence and drove into the penalty area, but could only fire into the side netting, earning City another corner.
That set piece found Jefferies in space and he sent his effort over the bar, although the offside flag had already been raised. City remained firmly on top, with Reach again involved in starting an attack before Jefferies delivered across the face of goal, only for the ball to evade Reach arriving at the back post. The resulting corner came to nothing.
Derby finally threatened just before the hour as Joe Ward sent a cross through the City penalty area which evaded Wickens and drifted wide.
A better opportunity followed almost immediately. Bobby Clark broke into the area and Derby managed to get a shot away with Wickens beaten, but Elerewe was well placed to clear the danger.
The hosts responded with a triple change in the 63rd minute, Filip Bilbija, Max Johnston and Craig Forsyth replacing Oscar Fraulo, Corey Blackett-Taylor and Charlie Taylor.
Derby threatened again moments later when a cross from the flank picked out Carlton Morris, but the striker volleyed the ball into the ground and wide.
City made their first change in the 67th minute, with Ryley Towler replacing Jefferies, before another drinks break arrived two minutes later. A round of boos was duly forthcoming, even if this wasn’t for an advert break.
City continued to look comfortable in possession and produced some excellent link-up play in the 76th minute. Draper slipped House into the area, but the striker’s effort was saved at the near post by Zetterstrom.
Three minutes later, City made a triple change as Mason Melia, Tanto Olaofe and Reeco Hackett replaced Draper, House and Rob Street. Derby also made a change, with Lars-Jorgen Salvesen replacing Szmodics.
City threatened again in the 83rd minute when a free kick was nodded down into the path of Hackett, but his effort went wide. The substitute was involved again almost immediately, meeting a deep Tendayi Darikwa cross but heading over the bar.
Ward then tried his luck with another shot-cum-cross in the 86th minute, although Wickens gathered comfortably.
City made another change two minutes from time, with Callum Elder replacing Reach. The former Derby man got a warm reception.
Despite four minutes of added time, City held out for the win in front of 11,095, their first ever in Derby, and earned a place in the second round of the cup.
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