Match report...
Jon Nolan replaced Arnaud Mendy in midfield and David Preece came in for the departed Nick Townsend on the bench as the Imps welcomed Vanarama Conference leaders Barnet to Sincil Bank Stadium for the first game of 2015.
City kicked off attacking the Bridge McFarland Stand and the only highlight of the first five minutes was a meaty challenge from Jon Nolan on Andy Yiadom which saw Barnet boss Martin Allen dance around on the touchline and wave an invisible card in the direction of referee Martin Coy. The official was happy just to award a free-kick though which the Imps cleared.
The Imps won the first corner in the sixth minute and when this was played back to taker Sean Newton, his delivery ended up with Marcus Marshall getting in a volley on the turn but a Barnet defender got in a block.
A quiet spell ensued, although both sides were looking to play some football in a bid to unlock their opposing defensive line.
It was Barnet's which was the first to be breached as, in the 17th minute, some decent build-up play down the left ended with Newton curling in a deep centre which as nodded down well by Alan Power at the back post and into the path of BEN TOMLINSON who saw his effort bounce and loop past Graham Stack for the opener.
Barnet's response saw them win a couple of unproductive corners before visiting boss Allen was on his feet again when Luisma Villa was grounded after a Tomlinson challenge. Referee Coy consulted with his assistant but nothing was given other than a throw-in to the Imps after the official waved play-on.
Play quickly switched to the other end and some slick Imps passing opened up the Bees defence for a second time in the 24th minutes; the final touch from Nolan teeing up skipper ALAN POWER who drilled home a 25-yard thunderbolt which gave Stack no chance between the sticks.
A clumsy challenge on Charlie MacDonald earned Hamza Bencherif a yellow card three minutes later as Barnet counter-attacked at pace after a stray Tomlinson back-heel gave possession away cheaply. Lee Cooke fired well over from Barnet's next attack.
In the 35th minute a Cook effort deflected behind for a corner following a questionable decision by referee Coy to award the visitors a free-kick but the resultant flag-kick sailed straight on to the roof of the City net.
Barnet centre-back Bondz N'Gala was booked a minute later after dragging Marshall to the deck before Power curled an effort inches wide from the edge of the box as City went in search of a third.
City continued to remain firm at the back and threatening in attack as the half wore on with the last action of the half coming at the end of two additional minutes with Newton getting in a superb block to deny Villa.
HT: IMPS 2 BARNET 0
Whilst the Imps emerged unchanged, there were three changes for Barnet at the break with David Hunt, Keanu Marsh-Brown and Luke Gambin replacing Sam Togwell, Luisma Villa and Lee Cook.
The first action of the second period saw timely interception from Nat Brown deny John Akinde a shot on goal after Paul Farman sprinted off his line to clear a forward ball whilst at the other end Barnet left-back Elliott Johnson pulled up holding his hamstring after chasing for a ball with Sam-Yorke.
With Barnet down to 10 men with Johnson off injured, Tomlinson headed a Newton cross over the bar but from the next attack, Marshall gained possession and space, crossed and there to slide in at the back post was JON NOLAN to make it 3-0 with his first of the season.
Power volleyed into the side netting as the Imps attacked again shortly after the restart before Adams was left grounded, indicating that he was the victim of an elbow before he returned to the fray.
In the 66th minute Jordan Burrow replaced Delano Sam-Yorke up front for the Imps. The latter received a fine reception as he left the field, as did Marcus Marshall three minutes later as Conner Robinson came on in his place.
With 15 minutes on the clock, City swarmed forward only for Tomlinson to be flagged offside and a minute later Burrow was denied by a defender's leg after Robinson and Power combined to create the half-chance.
Shortly afterwards a low Power shot was palmed away by Stack before Burrow's follow-up was deflected out for a corner which came to nothing. Tomlinson then exchanged passes with Newton before firing wide from 20 yards.
City dealt with an 82nd minute Barnet corner and as the pressed on the counter-attack, Robinson picked out Burrow but he was crowded out. Two minutes later ROBINSON made it 4-0 with a classy finish with the outside of his boot after he was released down the middle by Tomlinson.
Barnet were quick to respond and when a loose ball ran free in the box Luke Gambin made the most of the opportunity and blasted past Farman to reduce the arrears for the visitors.
This proved to be the last action of note and when referee Coy blew for full-time following three additional minutes of play the home fans rose to their feet to give the players an excellent reception following the fantastic performance.
FT: IMPS 4 BARNET 1
LINCOLN CITY
1 Paul FARMAN
17 Jake CAPRICE
23 Nat BROWN
5 Hamza BENCHERIF
3 Sean NEWTON
20 Charlee ADAMS
14 Jon NOLAN
8 Alan POWER
22 Marcus MARSHALL
11 Ben TOMLINSON
15 Delano SAM-YORKE
subs
6 Tony DIAGNE
9 Jordan BURROW (for SAM-YORKE 66)
12 Arnaud MENDY
16 Conner ROBINSON (for MARSHALL 69)
31 David PREECE
GOALS: TOMLINSON (17), POWER (24), NOLAN (56), ROBINSON (84)
BOOKING: BENCHERIF (27)
BARNET
1 Graham STACK
2 Andy YIADOM
3 Elliott JOHNSON
5 Bondz N’GALA
6 David STEPHENS
8 Curtis WESTON
9 John AKINDE
10 Charlie MACDONALD
11 Lee COOK
14 Sam TOGWELL
15 Luisma VILLA
subs
4 Jack SAVILLE
7 Keanu MARSH-BROWN (for VILLA h/t)
16 Mauro VILHETE
18 Luke GAMBIN (for COOK h/t)
28 David HUNT (for TOGWELL h/t)
BOOKING: N'GALA (36)
GOAL: GAMBIN (86)
REFEREE: Martin Coy
ASSISTANTS: Paul Davison & Andrew Miller
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Dean Bradshaw
ATTENDANCE: 2,759 (173 visiting supporters)
