Match pack: Lincoln City (A)

12 April 2019

A huge test awaits Michael Duff’s Cheltenham Town side on Saturday when they make the trip to Sincil Bank to take on champions elect Lincoln City (kick-off: 3pm).

It’s all set to be a full house at the home of the Imps this weekend with Saturday’s opponents requiring a win to confirm their promotion to League One.

Back-to-back wins over Northampton and Crewe, plus a draw last time out against play-off chasing Exeter City, has seen the Robins enter a good run of form leading into Saturday’s clash.

Any kind of result at Lincoln will be a huge positive for Duff's men, who will then head into the Easter period with four games still left to come.

Team news

A call will be made on Luke Varney’s availability after he was carried off in last week’s draw with Exeter.

Tyrone Barnett’s calf problem rules him out and Nigel Atangana also misses the game as he continues his recovery from a ruptured achilles. Alex Addai is edging closer to fitness but is unlikely to feature.

Sean Long will be looking to play a part against his former team having featured as a late second half substitute in last weekend’s draw.

Watch what Michael Duff had to say ahead of Saturday’s game here on iFollow.

Opposition

A huge 2-0 win at Stadium MK last week has steered Lincoln into pole position to claim the League Two championship this weekend. It’ll be their second league title in the past three years after they were crowned National League champions in 2017.

The Imps amazing rise under the Cowley brothers, boss Danny and assistant Nicky continues at a pace, and they’re all but set to look forward to League One football next term. Having lost only four times in the league this season, and having registered 23 wins, it’s of little surprise that they followed up their play-off finish last term with a campaign such as this one this time round.

Since Cowley was appointed manager alongside his brother in the summer of 2016, he has steered Lincoln out of the non-league sphere with an FA Cup quarter final and Checkatrade Trophy win coming at the same time. Just over a decade ago they started in charge of Concord Rangers in the Essex Senior League – the same level local side Bishop’s Cleeve operate at.

They’ve gradually improved their player roster in their time at Sincil Bank and have put together a squad with plenty of strength in all departments. John Akinde’s 17 goals sees him top their goal scoring charts, while the lively Bruno Andrade’s 11 goals have also been key.

The experience of Michael Bostwick, goalkeeper Matt Gilks, Jason Shackell and Wales international full back Neal Eardley balance nicely with the energy provided by up and coming talents such as Harry Anderson, Bradford City loanee Shay McCartan and Harry Toffolo.

At Sincil Bank they have the fifth best home record in the division though have lost a league game at home just once this season – that was back in September against Crawley.

Heading into Saturday’s encounter they are unbeaten in League Two since Boxing Day, when Crewe Alexandra claimed a 2-1 win at their Gresty Road home against the Imps.

Previous meetings

Looking back over previous battles between the two clubs it’s Cheltenham who possess the better record. The Robins have won 12, lost six and drawn four from meetings that stretch back to an FA Cup tie at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium back in 1998.

When the two met earlier in the season it was in late September when Lincoln clinched three points with a 2-0 win. It was goalless between the two sides until the final quarter of an hour when a Craig Alcock own goal, and Shay McCartan finish wrapped up the points for the Imps.

October 2017 was the last time Cheltenham came out on top with a 1-0 win. That day a Danny Wright first half strike was the difference in Lincoln’s first season back in League Two.

Watch the highlights from that game:

Away travel

The supporters coach heading to the game leaves from the Jonny-Rocks Stadium at 9.30am.

The match is an ALL TICKET game with a large attendance expected.

Making the journey in support of the Robins? Check out Lincoln's useful away supporters guide online here.

Coverage

Stay tuned in to events at Sincil Bank by following @CTFCofficial on Twitter. You can catch the team news, match updates and live photos on Twitter. Updates will also be available on the club’s Facebook page.

After the game check out the club website to read a match report and hear from boss Michael Duff and a member of the squad on the final result.

Listen to commentary by tuning in on iFollow or on BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

Match Reports

Full-time: Lincoln City 1-1 Robins - highlights & report

13 April 2019

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Super sub George Lloyd’s excellently taken second half header at league leaders Lincoln City helped Cheltenham Town make it four games unbeaten with a brilliant point at a sold out Sincil Bank.

Shay McCartan’s first half effort from distance caught Scott Flinders out and bounced past him at the near post to put the Imps on course for promotion but Lloyd’s big moment with 18 minutes to go left Lincoln having to wait for theirs until after the full-time whistle.

That was the academy graduate’s first of the season as he came off the bench to silence Sincil Bank and earn a credible point for Michael Duff’s side, but it wasn’t silent for long as the hosts were confirmed as Sky Bet League One bound shortly after the game.

Robins boss Michael Duff made three changes to his starting squad after last week’s draw with Exeter City as Jordan Tillson, Sean Long and Rakish Bingham replaced Chris Clements, Ryan Broom and Luke Varney.

Right-wing-back Long was making his first Sky Bet League Two start for the Robins after recovering from injury to make his first fourth tier appearance in Cheltenham colours off the bench against the Grecians seven days ago.

It took until the ninth minute for the first goal scoring opportunity as John Akinde ran through on the wide left, but his cross was hooked clear by Ben Tozer – the former Barnet striker then had the first attempt on goal but smashed his volley high and wide.

The lively Akinde then headed off target but it didn’t take long for the League One bound hosts to go ahead with their first shot on target.

Tillson slipped on the wet surface which allowed McCartan to work into space and have a long-range effort which bounced awkwardly and beat Flinders at his near post with just 18 minutes played.

Bingham had two half chances for the visitors shortly after though, however despite working himself into space on both occasions, both attempts were blocked by each of the Imps’ centre backs in Michael Bostwick and Jason Shackell.

Kevin Dawson was then fouled 25 yards from goal and Chris Hussey’s teasing delivery caused real problems inside the penalty box as Billy Waters stretched to reach the ball unsuccessfully following a knock-down.

Set-piece specialist Eardley then curled a free-kick marginally over the Robins crossbar as the clock ticked towards the final 10 minutes of the first half.

Just before the interval one of Cheltenham’s brightest performers in Conor Thomas was caught in possession and Mark O’Hara unleashed Akinde who fired over the near post top corner from a tight angle.

Some determined work from Waters at the start of the second period allowed him to set up Hussey for a first-time cross which went out for a corner which was cleared despite an intricately worked routine from the Robins.

Goal-scorer McCartan was then booked for diving when he broke free with Flinders saving Danny Rowe’s shot before the referee pulled play back to issue the booking, much to the relief of Duff’s side.

But then came an amazing moment for 19-year-old Lloyd, who finished a great move with Danny Cowley’s side playing flat for the majority of the second half, stooping to head in Hussey’s outstanding cross.

The goal came about after Tillson’s neat flick to Hussey, whose sixth assist of the season was pinpoint for Lloyd, who celebrated with passion in front of the travelling Robins fans tucked into the corner of Sincil Bank.

There was an anxious wait at full-time, but the hosts were still confirmed as promoted despite the Robins holding them to a draw.

LINCOLN CITY: Gilks (Gk), Shackell ©, O’Hara, Pett (Rhead 78), Andrade (Rowe 53), Toffolo, Bostwick, McCartan (Frecklington 69), Eardley, Anderson, Akinde. Subs not used: Vickers (Gk), O’Connor, Bolger, Roberts.

ROBINS: Flinders (Gk), Long (Broom 73), Boyle, Tozer ©, Raglan, Hussey, Tillson (Forster 86) Thomas, Dawson, Bingham (Lloyd 65), Waters. Subs not used: Lovett (Gk), Maddox, Pring.

REFEREE: Nicholas Kinseley

ATTENDANCE: 9820 (164 from Cheltenham)

Ticket News

Tickets & travel: Lincoln City

9 April 2019

Tickets and away travel for Cheltenham Town's trip to Lincoln City's Sincil Bank on Saturday 13 April are on sale with the match now ALL TICKET for Robins fans.

The Robins head to the home of League Two's current table toppers to face up to an Imps side destined for a place in League One next season.

Travelling supporters are advised that this fixture is now ALL TICKET for away fans are only available to purchase from the Ticket Office at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium ahead of the game. Ticket prices are:

Adult - £22

Concession - £17

Young Adult (18-21) - £17

Under 18 - £9

Family (1 adult 1 U18) - £26

Family (1 senior 1 U18) - £21

Away travel on the Travel Club coach is also available to book. The coach leaves Cheltenham for Lincoln at 9.30am on the day of the game.

A seat on the coach is £16/£14 for members and £18/£16 for non-members.

Tickets and away travel can be bought from the Ticket Office on a Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

The Ticket Office is open from 10am till 3pm. You can visit in person or call 01242 573558 (option 1).

For supporter information related to visiting Sincil Bank, click here.

Cheltenham Town FC

Standings

Match pack: Lincoln City (A)

Full-time: Lincoln City 1-1 Robins - highlights & report

Tickets & travel: Lincoln City