Lincoln City Under-18s produced an emphatic display on Wednesday evening, beating York City 10-1 in the first round of the EFL Youth Alliance Cup.
Gael Mande opened the scoring before Josh Kennealey and Leo Fifield both completed hat-tricks. Freddie Wilson and Tariro Darikwa were also on target as the young Imps secured their place in the next round.
Mande broke the deadlock with an impressive strike from the edge of the penalty area. Lincoln were forced into an early change shortly afterwards, with Mason Jubb replacing Leo Vout in midfield after 18 minutes.
York enjoyed a spell of possession midway through the first half, but the Imps doubled their advantage when an effort struck the crossbar at the back post and Kennealey reacted quickest to convert the rebound.
Lincoln added a third following a well-worked counter-attack. Wilson sent a long pass into the path of Kennealey, who lifted his finish over visiting goalkeeper Campbell White for his second of the evening.
Wilson moved from provider to scorer five minutes before the interval, stabbing home a high cross at the back post. Fifield then headed in Lincoln’s fifth to complete an excellent first-half performance from the hosts.
York made two changes at the break and almost reduced the deficit when Sutton Greening sent a free-kick narrowly over the crossbar. Lincoln quickly regained control, however, and scored twice in quick succession.
Fifield headed home his second before Kennealey completed his hat-trick from close range. Fifield then joined him in claiming the match ball by scoring Lincoln’s eighth in the 59th minute.
Kennealey was not finished and added his fourth goal of the game nine minutes later, taking the Imps to within one of double figures. Darikwa reached that landmark with four minutes remaining, completing a comprehensive victory for Lincoln.
Oscar Woolford scored a consolation goal for York during stoppage time, converting Charlie Webster’s cross to deny the Imps a clean sheet. It did little to detract from an outstanding attacking display, with Lincoln progressing through the competition following a 10-1 victory.
Lincoln City Under-18s: Hetherinton-Field, Vout (Jubb 18, Herbert 74), Darikwa, L Oliver, K Oliver, Inyama (Sidhu 46), Kennealey, Sagoo, Fifield (Male 60), Mande, Wilson (Don-Duncan 58).
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