Exeter City begin their first League One fixture in more than a decade with a visit to Sincil Bank to face Lincoln City, so we're giving the lowdown on the Imps ahead of the big kick off on 30 July.
About
Lincoln City FC were officially formed in 1884, as an amateur football association and later in the 1891-82 season became professional. The next year in the 1892-92 season they were a part of forming what was then the Second Division, losing 4-2 to Sheffield United in their first game in the division.
The Imps rose to national fame after their spectacular FA Cup run in the 2016-17 season, reaching the quarter-finals and being the first non-league side to so since 1914. After wins against Guiseley, Altrincham, Oldham, a replay win against Ipswich and defeating Championship leaders Brighton, Lincoln drew an away fixture at Burnley. 3,200 City fans saw Sean Raggett score an 89th minute winner and create history at Turf Moor, which set up a fixture against Arsenal where they were ultimately defeated 5-0 by the Gunners.
Lincoln have cemented themselves as a League One club in recent years, narrowly missing out on promotion in the 2020-21 season, losing 2-1 to Blackpool in the play-off final after beating Sunderland 3-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
The Manager
Mark Kennedy is currently the head coach of Lincoln following the departure of Michael Appleton after almost three years in charge. This fixture will be Kennedy’s first league match in charge of the Imps, after being appointed on a four-year contract on the 12th May 2022
One To Watch
Regan Poole
Lincoln’s player of the year last season, Poole enjoyed an excellent first full season with the club playing a key role in the Imps’ defence. The young Welshman joined the club from MK Dons in January 2021 making his debut less than a week later against Gillingham, on February 5th in a 3-0 win for Lincoln. A product of Newport’s academy, Poole joined Manchester United in 2015 but unfortunately never found much game time at the club. After a few loans spells at Northampton Town and his boyhood club, Newport County, he joined MK Dons in 2019 after their recent promotion to League One. Nearly 40 appearances and a first professional goal later, Lincoln City signed him for an undisclosed fee.
Representing the club as captain on occasion if the regular captain, Conor McGrandles, was unavailable Poole has experience guiding a team despite only being 24 years of age. With the departure of McGrandles to fellow League One side, Charlton Athletic, there is no doubt Poole is likely to be a front-runner to lead the Imps for the next season
2021/22 Season
Lincoln City faired a slightly disappointing season compared to their 2020/21 season which saw them nearly promoted to the Championship.
The Imps finished 17th in League One on 52 points, 12 clear of relegated Gillingham. A relatively quiet season for the club, with a few noticeable games during the season including a 5-1 decimation away at Cambridge just 4 games into the season. Though there were highs, there were also lows for the Lincolnshire side with a two-month spell that saw no wins in the league from October 30th – 7th January
Anthony Scully was the only player to score double figures in all comps last season for the club, netting 15 in total with 11 in the league and four in the EFL Cup.
Things didn’t improve much for the Imps outside of the league either. After a 1-0 victory against Isthmian Premier League side, Bowers & Pitsea FC, they were knocked out by Hartlepool United due to a Lewis Fiorini own goal.
Penalty shootouts proved to be Lincoln’s kryptonite, as they were dumped out of the EFL Trophy and Cup via penalties against Carlisle United and Shrewsbury Town.
Head to Head
A 1-1 draw in October 1962 was the first meeting of the two sides, since then the Lincolnshire side has recorded more wins, but the Grecians hold the crown for the biggest win between the sides thanks to a 5-1 win at Sincil Bank during the 89/90 title winning season.
Exeter City wins: 20
Draws: 17
Lincoln City Wins: 27 Wins
Most Recent Fixture
A 96th minute equaliser from John Akinde snatched a point for the Imps boosting their lead at the top of League Two. Matt Jay scored 22 minutes in for the Grecians with a curling free-kick, which dipped in at the far post leaving Lincoln keeper Matt Gilks helpless.
Random Fact
In the 2021/22 season, Lincoln City won, drew, lost, the exact same amount of games at home as they did away. They even had the same goal difference!
- Home Record: Won 7, Drew 5, Lost 11, GF 25, GA 29, GD -4
- Away Record: Won 7, Drew 5, Lost 11, GF 30, GA 34, GD -4