Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala was thrilled with his team’s hard-fought 2-1 win over Stockport County, a much-needed response after back-to-back defeats.
The Imps, who started the season strong and were close to automatic promotion spots, faced a reality check with recent losses to Birmingham City and Crawley Town. In particular, the loss to Birmingham showcased the Blues’ quality as they left the LNER Stadium with a 3-1 win, underscoring areas for Lincoln to tighten up.
In their midweek clash, Lincoln had another chance to bounce back against struggling Crawley Town. However, despite their positive approach, they suffered a surprising 1-0 defeat, giving Crawley their first league victory since August. This setback placed extra importance on their home fixture against Stockport County as the East Midlands side looked to regain momentum.
Lincoln started strong at home, dominating early on, but they found themselves trailing just nine minutes in when Isaac Olaofe slotted home to give Stockport a surprising lead. Nevertheless, Ben House managed to equalise shortly before halftime, marking his first goal of the season and adding pressure on Stockport, who adapted their tactics in response. Lincoln’s persistence paid off as Sheffield Wednesday loanee Bailey Cadamarteri headed home the decisive goal in the 66th minute, sealing the much-needed win.
Skubala Praises Lincoln’s “Magnificent” Response
After the match, Skubala spoke to the club’s media, expressing his pride in the team’s performance. He highlighted the versatility and composure they demonstrated: “We showed we can play different options, and to a man I thought we were magnificent. We got caught early on for their goal, but what I really liked is that we were calm, we played and worked our way in. We looked threatening.”
Skubala was particularly pleased with the adjustments Lincoln made to counter Stockport’s tactical shift: “They changed things at half-time and went more direct because they couldn’t deal with us and our speed on the top line, and the way we were building.”
Reflecting on Lincoln’s recent losses, the former Leeds United coach praised the resilience his team displayed: “It’s a response (to the defeat at Crawley), but the reality is I thought we were good in the first half there. We just didn’t score the goals our play warranted and had a bad second half. At times, there will be moments like that. It won’t go perfect for us all the time, but the response was really good and shows what this group has got and the belief in what we’re doing.”
Skubala’s comments underscore the importance of mental toughness and adaptability for a team looking to secure promotion. Despite recent setbacks, Lincoln demonstrated they could regroup, adapt, and execute a solid game plan under pressure.
Our View
Lincoln City have proven to be one of the more consistent and efficient teams in League One, and their ability to regroup after disappointing losses is crucial in a long season. This victory over Stockport not only showcased their quality but highlighted the team’s resilience—key traits that will serve them well as they pursue a spot in the play-offs.
A win against Northampton Town on Tuesday could propel them back into the play-off positions, underscoring the importance of maintaining their current form. If Lincoln can build on this momentum, they have a real shot at pushing for promotion come May, thanks to a well-balanced squad that continues to grow under Skubala’s leadership.
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