Promising Signs: Harrogate Town 1-3 Imps

August 13, 2025 Gary EFL Cup, Lincoln City, Matches, Reports 1

The second period saw a notable change. We moved the ball with far more intent, mixing up short passing with early crosses, and the result was a much more open Harrogate defence. The set-piece threat remained from last season, and it was from a corner that we doubled the lead. Hamer’s looping ball found Street, who nodded down for Draper to finish from close range. It was a poacher’s goal and a big moment for him, having passed up an earlier chance.

Of course, Draper gets the poacher plaudits, but once again, Street was excellent. It was a super evening for the forward, who has settled like snow, but is on fire right now. If there are doubts about the recruitment team, which I’m not sure are entriely valid, Street is evidence that we do get plenty right (if the two million plus we’ve made this summer is not enough).

From there, we were in total control. Towler headed against the woodwork, Collins saw a header tipped over, and the passing sequences through midfield were sharper and more decisive. The third goal summed up the improvement. Collins was released down the left, delivered low into the box, and Street arrived in stride to guide the ball home. It was an intelligent run and a tidy finish, the sort of goal that comes from confidence. Street looks confident, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say Doncaster have sent us a different player back. I was critical of Street last season, but boy, is he proving his point, and I couldn’t be more delighted.

At 3-0 up, Michael Skubala used the opportunity to hand senior debuts to academy prospects Noah Simmons and Gbolahan Okewoye, while Zane Okoro also got more first-team minutes. Simmons, in particular, looked assured, settling quickly into the pace of the game. Being a left-sided defender is huge for the club. He’s a Wales Under 15 international, and it’s nice that after a summer where two move on for big bucks, we’re in a place where three more can come in. Of course, we’d also like to have a couple more senior faces in the side, but patience is a virtue.

Unfortunately, the night was marred by what looked a bad injury to Moylan. He left the field after a poor challenge that, bafflingly, did not result in a free-kick or card. With Reeco Hackett already sidelined, losing Moylan for any length of time would be a significant blow. There was also a precautionary change for Ring, who felt his quad tighten, but that one at least does not seem serious.

We did concede late on when Taylor struck from distance, and Draper will be disappointed with his part in the build-up. It took the edge off what could have been a clean-sheet night, though in truth the 3-1 score flattered Harrogate. On another day this could have been four or five.

Before the opener we looked ponderous, as if feeling our way into the game without committing fully to a style. After half-time, there was more purpose, more forward passes, and more trust in our ability to keep the ball in advanced areas. We dominated from 10 minutes to 95, with so many touches in the opposition box, they could have done away with our half completely. At times (with respect), it felt like when England play someone like Azerbaijan, and there’s just a game going on in one third of the field. In this instance, we had the tools to create the goals we needed, unlike England.

Street was the standout. Involved in all three goals, he worked tirelessly and made smart decisions in the final third. Draper’s contribution was also important, not just for his goal but for occupying defenders and linking play. At the back, Sonny Bradley and Hamer were solid, even if they are less comfortable in possession than some. Jeacock’s first-half saves ensured we were not pegged back, and Hamilton’s set-piece delivery was a consistent weapon.

The argument that you have to earn the right to play is valid, particularly away from home, but the control we enjoyed once we stepped up should encourage us to be braver earlier when facing sides of Harrogate’s level. In League One the challenge is greater, but the balance of pragmatism and progressive play we struck in that second half is one we can aim to replicate.

The draw for the second round takes place on Wednesday, and whoever we get will know that a confident Lincoln can be a tough proposition. There is still work to do in terms of sustaining our attacking rhythm across 90 minutes, but this was a professional job and a clear step forward from the laboured showing against Harrogate in last season’s competition.

The travelling support deserves a mention too. More than 500 made the trip on a Tuesday night for a first-round cup tie, a quarter of the total attendance, and they were rewarded with three well-taken goals and the emergence of another couple of academy graduates.

Plymouth on Saturday will be a different test entirely. They came from two down to beat QPR in their own tie and will be full of belief. If we can reproduce the control, movement and cutting edge we saw in that second half, we will give ourselves a chance.

The hope now is that the injury news on Moylan is not as bad as it looked, that Hackett and House are nearing a return, and that the recruitment team can get one or two a little bit closer to the squad.

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