Tonight, Lincoln City travel to the South Coast to take on AFC Bournemouth in the League Cup.
It is the first time the two clubs have played each other in a cup competition, and the 27th time overall. That record has us winning ten, losing ten and drawing seven, leaving us going there not only for a place in the fourth round for only the third time ever, but also possibly bragging rights over the Cherries.
If we were to get a result, it wouldn’t be the first time we’d beaten Premier League opposition over 90 minutes, nor would it be the first time we’d won a tie against such a level of team. However, that doesn’t quite tell the whole story as City have dallied numerous times with Premier League teams and not always got what we deserved.
Here are the first six occasions Lincoln City have played Premier League teams in the League Cup since the breakaway league started in 1992. Tomorrow, we’ll do the next seven, including our fixture against Bournemouth.
1992/93 Crystal Palace
1-3 (A) Bressington
1-1 (H) Puttnam
City were handed a daunting Coca-Cola Cup second-round tie against Premier League Crystal Palace in 1992, with the first leg taking Steve Thompson’s side to Selhurst Park. The top-flight hosts won 3-1, taking the lead through Gareth Southgate after 19 minutes before Eddie McGoldrick struck twice in the second half. However, Graham Bressington’s 72nd-minute goal ensured City remained in the contest. Goalkeeper Ian Bowling also produced an outstanding performance, remarkably playing on despite suffering a fractured foot during the first half.
City gave Palace another stern examination in front of 6,255 supporters at Sincil Bank two weeks later. Southgate scored again after 20 minutes, but the Imps responded eight minutes later when Jason Lee’s pass released David Puttnam, who fired beyond Nigel Martyn. Palace threatened through John Salako and McGoldrick, while Matt Carmichael and Jason Kabia had opportunities for City, but neither side could find another goal. The 1-1 draw sent Palace through 4-2 on aggregate, although Lincoln emerged with considerable credit after competing admirably across both legs.
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