City exit EFL Trophy after defeat to Lincoln

EDS & Academy

City’s Academy players called up for November’s international fixtures

An early lead for Lincoln was provided by Freddie Draper who saw his headed effort fly just out of reach of ‘keeper Max Hudson.

Bailey Cadamarteri scored a second for the Imps on 41 minutes to leave City with an uphill battle.

Rob Street scored an early second half strike to make it three for the hosts.

Goals from Zane Okoro and JJ McKiernan confirmed victory as City bowed out of the EFL Trophy.

WHAT HAPPENED

In City’s final group game of the EFL Trophy for the 2024/25 season, the winner of tonight’s match – either inside 90 minutes or by penalty shootout – would advance to the knockout stage of the competition.

But a high-flying League One outfit in Lincoln City stood in City’s way.

A sixth minute glancing header by Draper from the centre of the box, which hit off the inside of the right post and into the back of the net, left City trailing for the first time in the competition, having taken the lead in both games against Chesterfield and Grimsby.

Cadamarteri almost capitalised on a weak back pass by Josh Wilson-Esbrand on 17 minutes but Hudson was quick off his line to save his defender’s blushes. It was a moment that didn’t reflect City enjoying more of the ball as we tried to find a rhythm at the LNER Stadium.

City’s corner routine saw the ball played short to Jaden Heskey who found the feet of Wilson-Esbrand on the edge of the Lincoln box. His right-footed effort flew straight down the mouth of goalkeeper Jamie Pardington who collected our first shot on target of the night with ease.

City’s brightest moment in what remained of the first half was a fantastic solo run by Nico O’Reilly.

He danced around six Lincoln players as he carried the ball from deep within our half to the edge of our opponent’s box. As the midfielder went to unleash a shot, an amalgamation of feet saw him floored but no foul was given.

Seconds later Jahmai Simpson-Pusey recovered well to block Cadamarteri’s shot which looked goal-bound. The resulting corner was whipped in and nodded home by the number nine on the brink of half-time to double Lincoln’s lead.

Rob Street thought he’d added a third just before the half-time whistle, but he was deemed offside by the assistant referee.

But it wouldn’t take Street long to capitalise on another chance. Michael Okeke was dispossessed on the edge of the City box and Street was teed up at the back post just four minutes into the second half.

The Imps continued to attack with speed and purpose. Next up Okoro fired a ranged shot at City’s goal.

Hudson was unfortunate not to stop the strike which snuck into the bottom right corner just before the hour mark.

A cutback pass from the byline to McKiernan whose thumping shot flew past Hudson on 65 minutes made it five for the hosts and completed a tough evening for Ben Wilkinson’s EDS side. 

How WE LINED UP

Max Hudson earned his EFL Trophy debut in goal. And in front of him City’s defensive line was made up of Matty Henderson-Hall, Lakyle Samuel, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Josh Wilson-Esbrand.

In midfield, captain Nico O’Reilly returned to the starting line-up and was joined by Jaden Heskey and Michael Okeke.

Will Dickson led City’s attacking line and was supported by Emilio Lawrence and Farid Alfa-Ruprecht on the wings.

LINCOLN XI | Pardington, Darikwa ©, Cadamarteri (McGrandles 73’), McKiernan, Jefferies, Duffy (Roughan 46’), Gallagher, Moylan (Hamilton 56’), Street (House 63’), Draper (Makama 46’), Okoro.

SUBS | Wickens, O’Connor.

CITY XI | Hudson, Henderson-Hall (Mukasa 86’), Samuel, Simpson-Pusey (Gray 46’), Wilson-Esbrand, O’Reilly, Alfa-Ruprecht (Oboavwoduo 66’), Heskey, Dickson (Nfonkeu 88’), Okeke, Lawrence (Naylor 66’).

SUBS | Grigg. 

WHAT IT MEANS

With three points from three games, City finished third in Group G with Chesterfield and Lincoln advancing to the knockout stage of the EFL Trophy.

UP NEXT

Wilkinson’s side have a two-week gap in club football now with the international break in full swing and a handful of his players jetting off to represent their nations across various age groups.

We return to action with a UEFA Youth League home clash against Feyenoord. A win is needed for City if we are to continue our trajectory towards the knockout stage of the competition.

Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00 (UK) on Tuesday 26 November and the game will be available to watch live on CITY+.