As you know by now, City have drawn Manchester United’s kids in the EFL Trophy.
It’s not a glamour tie, more an oddity which some hate and some love. It’s also going to be the third time we’ve played against their youth teams, and thus far honours are even, with one win (3-2) and one defeat (1-0) in the Bank.
Who will triumph this season? Who knows. However, I thought given we’re closing in on the season, you might like to look back at the two matches, both of which had interesting narratives.
Back in October 2019, Lincoln City’s EFL Trophy campaign all but came to a halt with a frustrating 1-0 home defeat to Manchester United’s Under 21 side.
However, the night was more about new beginnings than anything, as it marked Michael Appleton’s first game in charge of the Imps at Sincil Bank. Appleton’s Imps were in transition following his recent arrival, and this clash provided a chance to evaluate fringe players and academy hopefuls. Eight changes were made to the side that lost at Blackpool, with the likes of Jake Hesketh, Aaron Lewis, and Max Melbourne handed starting roles. More established figures like Harry Toffolo and Harry Anderson also featured, alongside Jorge Grant, who looked determined to make an impression.
United had future stars such as current Leverkusen keeper Matej Kovar, James Garner (now Everton) and Anthony Elanga (Forest). Despite this, City started brightly, especially down the left flank where Toffolo and Grant combined effectively. It was from this avenue that many of the early chances were created. Hesketh was particularly lively, striking the bar early on and teeing up Grant for a one-on-one opportunity denied by United keeper Matej Kovar. That name would become increasingly familiar as the evening progressed; Kovar put in a performance that belied his years.
With Hesketh pulling the strings and Grant constantly testing the visitors’ defence, Lincoln should have been out of sight by the midway point of the first half. Akinde, Bolger and Grant all had half-chances or near misses, but the breakthrough never came. Instead, it was United who struck first, almost against the run of play. A slick move involving Tahith Chong and James Garner left Grant Smith exposed, and the young visitors took the lead with their first meaningful attack.
The goal seemed to knock the wind out of City’s sails. There was a noticeable drop in momentum, and a few niggling fouls crept in. However, Michael O’Connor offered a steely presence in midfield, showing the sort of tenacity that had made him a mainstay earlier in the season. Despite trailing, the Imps continued to press, and chances fell their way—Harry Anderson hit the post with a header and Grant fired wide from a promising cutback.
After the break, Lincoln thought they had levelled through John Akinde, but the effort was ruled out for offside. Replays were inconclusive, but it was a tight call. Akinde’s performance overall was one of the game’s major frustrations. Despite the inexperience of United’s youthful centre-backs, he struggled to impose himself and failed to capitalise on several inviting crosses. Hesketh, who had been deployed to feed off Akinde’s knockdowns, was often left with scraps.
Nonetheless, the Imps kept pushing. O’Connor missed a golden opportunity at the back post, Bolger saw a header cleared off the line, and Grant was denied again by the excellent Kovar. Down the other end, Ramazani and Chong caused problems on the break, the former hitting the post and forcing Grant Smith into a smart save after a defensive error.
Changes were made, with Bruno Andrade and Jack Payne entering the fray, but Lincoln’s fluid attacking shape faded slightly after Hesketh’s withdrawal. The game opened up, leading to more chances for both sides. Callum Connolly tested the keeper with a fierce drive, while Ramazani and Garner continued to stretch City’s back line.
Late drama came in the form of a strong penalty shout, turned down by the referee, despite what appeared to be a clear handball in the box. It summed up the evening: full of intent, but lacking the finishing touch and rub of the green.
Despite defeat, there were positives. Hesketh was outstanding on debut, Toffolo provided constant threat, and both Lewis and Smith impressed. The performance was encouraging, even if the result wasn’t. Appleton’s team had played some of their best football in weeks, and on another night, it might easily have been a comfortable win.
But football is decided on fine margins. United’s youngsters weathered the early storm and capitalised when it mattered, marking the first time a Category One youth team had beaten Lincoln in this competition.
Two years after a narrow defeat, the Imps welcomed them back to Sincil Bank and this time, there was no shortage of goals. City ran out 3-2 winners in a game that combined dominance, injuries, and late nerves—mirroring both the team’s flair and fragility in early 2021–22.
Coming into the tie, Lincoln were already feeling the impact of injuries that would plague much of their season. With just three players on the bench—one of whom was a goalkeeper and another a youth product—the squad was stretched. That strain would worsen by full time, as both Anthony Scully and Dan Nlundulu left the field injured, leaving City to finish the match with ten men.
But for the majority of the evening, Lincoln were in complete control. Michael Appleton’s XI bossed the game for 70 minutes, playing some of the most dynamic football seen at Sincil Bank in the early part of the campaign. TJ Eyoma slotted in at left centre-back on his return, Cohen Bramall operated at full-back, and Regan Poole continued to show his dependability on the right. In midfield, the combination of Conor McGrandles, Lewis Fiorini and Ted Bishop looked sharp and progressive—Fiorini, in particular, catching the eye with his composure and vision.
Up front, Nlundulu led the line, flanked by Scully and Remy Longdon. Though Nlundulu missed a gilt-edged chance, the team’s shape and tempo meant chances flowed freely, especially down the flanks. Scully, whose role and positioning had been debated the previous season, left no doubt about his worth. His clinical hat-trick underlined his evolution into City’s most reliable goal threat.
The opening goal came via a typical Lincoln move. A flowing passage of play began with Bishop and saw Poole release McGrandles down the right. His cross caused chaos, striking the post before Scully pounced to prod home. It was instinctive, opportunistic, and just reward for City’s dominance.
Moments later, it was 2-0. Again, Bishop was at the heart of it, regaining possession on the edge of his own box and pinging a stunning long ball to Scully. The winger took one touch, sprinted into space, and buried his finish with the confidence of a player in form. In that moment, it became abundantly clear—Lincoln weren’t just beating a youth side, they were dismantling them.
Sam Long, making his debut in goal, was virtually untroubled in the first half. Manchester United, despite fielding full Tunisian international Hannibal Mejbri, offered little threat. Their possession was largely passive, while City’s transitions were rapid and incisive.
After the break, Lincoln’s third was as aesthetically pleasing as the first two. Lewis Montsma, returning to the line-up, surged out from the back and fed Longdon, whose excellent turn and delivery found Scully. His header made it 3-0 and secured a richly deserved treble.
But as had so often been the case during that season, injuries and substitutions shifted the momentum. Scully was withdrawn as a precaution, and with Sorensen coming on and Bramall already off, United began to exploit the space. Their possession finally turned into forward intent. A headed goal from a corner reduced the deficit, and though Lincoln should have killed the game—Nlundulu missed a glaring chance and Sorensen saw one saved—it remained precarious.
As nerves set in, United struck again. Hannibal, a nuisance in the closing stages, was involved before City conceded a second. Then came a moment of unnecessary drama. Booked once already, Hannibal committed two late fouls and was finally sent off, capping a petulant performance. City had to finish the final few minutes with ten men, clinging on to a lead that had looked unassailable.
Ultimately, they held on for a 3-2 win that could—and probably should—have been far more comfortable. Appleton’s post-match comments were telling: he feared the injury list was growing beyond control. Of the substitutes that night, only Liam Bridcutt was senior fit, and several other names—Jackson, Adelakun, Cann, Draper, and Makama—were all missing through injury.
Off the pitch, the crowd was better than expected for a group stage fixture: over 3,500 turned out, with United fans well represented in both ends. The buzz may have lacked the intensity of a league fixture, but supporters were treated to a showcase of attacking football—albeit one that very nearly unravelled late on.
This match proved a contrast to the 2019 defeat. If that game highlighted Lincoln’s lack of clinical edge, the 2021 version demonstrated just how lethal they could be when the right players clicked into gear. Scully’s hat-trick, Bishop’s control, and Fiorini’s confidence all offered hope. But it also reminded us how quickly control can be lost when the squad depth is tested.