Match Preview: Lincoln City

Last updated : 12 August 2005 By Rob Davies
Less than a week after the season kicked off in the far-fetched corner of Torquay, Gudjon Thordarson's side go into the game with Lincoln with a degree of confidence.

Thordarson's team have picked-up an excellent tally of four points from their opening two fixtures, both against clubs that were unlucky to be relegated from the League above last season.

Long: Mid-week winner
After Stacy Long's last-gasp winner over Wrexham in mid-week gave the Magpies a 1-0 victory to follow the season opener's 0-0 draw at Plainmoor, Notts can now proudly boast to be the ONLY club in the Football League still to concede a goal.

Whilst this alone will give them the upmost confidence going into the Derby fixture, there will be other factors that may give Thordarson and his team hope as they look to dispose of Keith Alexander's side.

Not least of them is the fact that Lincoln, despite finishing 13 places above County last season, were the only club that the Magpies managed to do the double over in the entire campaign.

Tony Scully's brace at Sincil Bank last August gave his team a 2-1 victory over the Imps, whilst a Julien Baudet penalty scored Notts a 1-0 win and ensured their survival in April.

This may all be irrelevant now, with both teams changed vastly from last season, but - as a Notts County fan - when you've beaten NO other teams in this league twice last season, it's worth bringing it up when you play the one that you did.

Another reason for optimism going into the encounter is that Alexander will be without arguably his most important player going into the encounter. Inspirational captain Paul Morgan was sent off in mid-week and begins a three-match suspension.

As well as Morgan, Lincoln are also without midfielder Steve Robinson - a transfer target for Notts throughout last season - with a foot injury and fringe striker Omari Coleman, who has a groin problem.

Despite losing a seemingly never-ending list of key first-team players in the summer, Alexander will be confident he can steer his side to promotion after three years of being denied by the playoffs.

The Nottingham-born Imps boss has replaced departees - including 23-goal striker Simon Yeo, strike partner Gary Taylor-Fletcher and gigantic defender Ben Futcher - with a host of impressive names.

As well as Robinson, highly-rated left back Paul Mayo returned to Sincil Bank after a brief spell at Watford, whilst diminutive midfielder Dean Keates - who netted twice for Kidderminster at Meadow Lane last season - and strikers Danny Bacon (Hucknall), Gary Birch (Kidderminster) and former Notts man Marvin Robinson have also been added to the ranks over recent months.

Look who's back!
When you consider that Alexander also has former Mansfield man Derek Asamoah (pictured right) - a menace in all THREE of his games against the Magpies last season - Welsh under-21 star Lee Beevers and highly-rated stopper Alan Marriot amongst his squad, it's not hard to see why the bookies have installed the Imps as one of the favourites for promotion this season.

However, Lincoln's infamous style of play has made them few friends in League Two over recent years and - as much as Alexander might not like it - they have undoubtedly gained a tag as a 'long-ball outfit'.

For all the afore-mentioned players unquestionable talents as footballers, it's hard to see past anything other than a physical game between two big sides tomorrow, with Lincoln playing the, to put it mildly, direct style of football.

In other words, be prepared for a creaking neck come 4.50pm tomorrow evening.

The Imps have made a reasonable start to the season, picking up two draws against Northampton (1-1) and, in mid-week, Chester (2-2).

However, Thordarson will know that they will provide an extremely stern test for his men and will have prepared them accordingly.

The Iceman has named an initial squad of 19 players for the fixture, with Gavin Gordon re-called for the visit of his former club. Matty Williams and Scully, though, have again missed out - with the pair told they have no future at the club under Thordarson.

Only Mike Whitlow - who has now taken on the role of a coach as well as continuing his playing career - and Ian Richardson remain on the treatment table, with knee injuries. Australian midfielder Ruben Zadkovich, meanwhile, serves the last of his three-match ban for a red card picked-up in pre-season.

Thor is likely to stick with the team that fought hard for the win over Wrexham in mid-week, though Stacy Long is in contention for a starting place after coming off the bench to net the winner.

Both Gordon and youngster Jake Sheriden - who signed a one-year deal at the club today - will be hoping they can work there way into the first 16, after both missing out in the week.

Notts (probable): Pilkington; O'Callaghan, Baudet, Wilson, Ullathorne; Pipe, McMahon, Edwards, Palmer; Scoffham, White.

Subs (from): Deeney, Martin, McFaul, Gill, Long, Sheriden, Gordon, Hurst.

Enjoy the game.

For a full match report on proceedings, check back to NCM after the final whistle.