The Imps kicked off their 2025/26 Vertu Trophy campaign with an emphatic 3-0 win over Sky Bet League Two opponents Notts County.
A first half headed finish from Sonny Bradley gave him his second goal in as many games before Ben House’s finessed effort beat the County goalkeeper to make it two and James Collins was then gifted a goal from the bench following a defensive mistake.
Michael Skubala made nine changes from the team who fought well for a point against Mansfield Town at the weekend. Deadline day acquisitions Adam Reach and Fin Barbrook came in for their Imps debut whilst Lewis Montsma made his first appearance of the season.
The first chance of the game fell to the visitors as Conor Grant found space down City’s left before cutting the ball back to Tyrese Hall who scuffed his effort into Zach Jeackock’s hands.
The Imps struck first as a corner on eight minutes was lifted to the back post by Adam Reach where Saturday’s goal scorer, Sonny Bradley, found himself wide open and cushioned a header into the Notts County net.
Moments later, a long throw from Lewis Montsma looped into the box before a flick on found its way through to Freddie Draper who set himself before striking the ball just over Harry Griffiths’ goal.
On 20 minutes, Reach curled another ball into the County area finding Freddie Draper who guided his header well, forcing a save from Griffiths.
Adam Jackson put his body in front of an effort from Grant to save the Imps from conceding the equaliser as the County midfielder found space in the Lincoln area.
Some great link-up play from Reach and Frankie Okoronkwo led to a cross being aimed towards the back post where an arriving Montsma unleashed a volley towards goal that was blocked by a Notts County defender.
Half Time: Imps 1 Notts County 0
A quick throw taken by Okoronkwo fell at the feet of Freddie Draper who laid the ball back for Erik Ring whose effort sailed just over the crossbar ten minutes into the second half.
On 58 minutes the Imps doubled their lead as Ring found space down the Notts County right before laying it to Ben House whose shot from just inside the opposition box flew past Harry Griffiths in the Notts County net.
A defensive mishap from the County backline gifted a golden opportunity to James Collins just 15 minutes after his introduction and the experienced forward slotted it home to give the Imps a three-goal cushion.
Some good build-up play from City ended up in a dangerous delivery aimed for the penalty spot where Frankie Okoronkwo rose highest but only managed to direct the ball into Griffiths’ gloves.
Collins nearly doubled his tally for the night as he found himself on the end of an Okoronkwo cross with space to get a headed effort away but failed to generate enough power to beat Griffiths.
Full Time: Imps 3 Notts County 0
Imps: Jeacock, Reach (Towler 61’), Montsma (Street 61’), Jackson (Hamer 61’), Thorn, Ring, Bradley, House (McGrandles 73’), Okoronkwo, Barbrook, Draper (Collins 61’)
Unused Subs: Pardington, Hackett
Notts County: Griffiths, Hinchy, Traore (Robinson 68’), Grant, Ness, Robertson, Hall, Macari, Aljofree (Iwunze 68’), Jarvis (Muir 68’), Bennetts
Unused Subs: Perott, Gordon, Tsaroulla, Iorpenda
Attendance: 2,526
Referee: Greg Rollason
