Manager Isaac Rice spoke on his side’s performance after they secured a 3-1 win after going a goal down in the early stages of the game.
He said: “I thought in the first half we struggled with the pace of the game, we struggled to calm it down in possession and at times we were frantic.”
The young Imps grew into the game to secure the win at the end of the 90 minutes with two goals from Leo Fifield coming either side of a Josh Kennealey goal being enough to see them over the line.
Rice added: “In the second half I thought we were much better, exploited the space in behind a bit more, were calmer in possession, switched the ball well and ultimately got ourselves the goals that we needed to win.”
Cup competitions often provide sides with the opportunity to introduce younger members of the squad to competitive football, and this is no different for Lincoln City.
Rice said: “It’s a brilliant opportunity for the younger lads to get involved, playing in a stadium at night under the lights is something special and for the younger lads to get that experience in these sorts of games is brilliant.”
Another brace for striker Leo Fifield brings his tally up to ten goals in five games to start off the season in some style. He’s certainly become a player that City have been able to rely on for goals.
Rice said: “He’s started really well; he works really hard in training a lot on his finishing and the team is doing really well in terms of providing him with opportunities at the moment and he’s been very clinical and performing well in front of goal which is great.”
Looking ahead to Saturday, the young Imps will travel to Wrexham in one of the longer away days they will undergo this season. With another quick turnaround it’s clear for the squad that preparation will be key.
Rice added: “We’ll play as professionally as we can. We’re staying overnight which is a really good experience for the lads to get used to doing that. We’ll train and travel as best we can, we know it’ll be a tough game but now we’re focusing on recovery and then Wrexham on Saturday.”