Lincoln City secured the bragging rights once more in the Lincolnshire Derby as they beat Grimsby Town by a single goal to nil in the early kick-off at Sincil Bank.

Harry Toffolo’s first half strike settled it in a game which lacked cutting edge and quality in the final third.

1) Grant Smith is an adequate replacement for Josh Vickers. 

When Lincoln City confirmed the signing of Grant Smith from Boreham Wood in the summer of 2018, many City fans believed that we would be a back up for the established number one, Josh Vickers. Former Arsenal stopper, Vickers, has had a recurring injury this season which has seen Smith called upon several times by Danny Cowley. Smith was called up for his first experience of a Lincolnshire Derby and performed outstandingly. Despite not having many obvious saves to make, Smith commanded his area well and provided excellent distribution. He fizzed a ball out to Harry Anderson in the first couple of minutes that but the Imps on the front foot from the off.

2) Toffolo’s best game in a City shirt.

Toffolo seemed to be a bit of a coup when he signed for Lincoln City last summer after arriving from Millwall. He had been a regular on Norwich City’s bench during their time in the Premier League which produced a lot of excitement between City fans. The left-back has been solid since his move to Lincolnshire but he put in a fantastic performance against the Imps’ county rivals. Toffolo took his goal like a centre-forward, a sensational half volley timed to perfection flashed past Grimsby stopper James McKeown.  However, it wasn’t just his goal, his work rate was superb as there were several times throughout the game that he started Lincoln counter attacks, sometimes playing more as a left winger than a full-back.

3) New signings Rowe and Bolger look at home.

Cian Bolger made his first start for the club since his move from Fleetwood Town this week whereas Ipswich loanee Rowe started on the bench for his second spell with the Imps. Bolger impressed massively and quickly formed a partnership with Michael Bostwick which would shut Grimsby Town out. Bolger is a towering centre-half and won every header but it was his footwork that impressed most as he calmly stepped into midfield and sprayed passes around as if he was a natural midfielder. His defending one on one was superb and even after making a mistake in the second half, he was able to quickly recover and pressure the Grimsby attacker and win back possession.

Danny Rowe made his second City debut on 60 minutes in place for Shay McCartan and slotted in behind Akinde. For a man who has only made four substitute appearances all season, Rowe looked sharp and reminded Lincoln fans of his pace early on. After settling into the game, it would be his incredible turn of pace that led to a sending off for Grimsby keeper McKeown. His burst left the defenders for dead and tempted McKeown to come flying out with studs up to take the City man out. Rowe bossed the game in the last ten minutes as his pace stretched Grimsby, meaning that they couldn’t mount enough pressure on the City goal to force an equalising goal.

City will now travel to Yeovil Town on Tuesday night in a game that could see them extend their lead at the top of the table. It has a real feel of a game where champions are made as the Imps look to prepare for Saturday’s huge game away at second placed Bury.

words Jake Tonge, D3D4 Lincoln City correspondent

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