This was a game that probably came too early for both sides but in the end full time training told as Lincoln looked sharper than Grantham who came into this game after just two training sessions.

After an even opening Lincoln took an early lead when former Carlton town winger Terry Hawkridge found room in the box to fire past Jake Turner after 11 minutes. Lincoln enjoyed the bulk of the possession but Grantham defended well. New signing Curtis Burrows had a chance on 26minutes but his shot from the edge of the box went over. Just when it looked as if Grantham would go in at half time just 1 goal behind Lincoln added another in added time. Again it was Hawkridge who was the scorer latching on to a through ball to again beat Turner.

Lincoln took full advantage of the competition rules which allow sides to name and use 7 substitutes by introducing all 7 for the second half. Grantham also made changes with Jack Beckett, Danny Durkin, Ben Harris and trialist Luke Shaw coming on for Danny Meadows. Michael Hollingsworth, Jamie McGhee and Rhys Lewis. Lincoln added a third goal on 50 minutes when substitute James Caton met a right wing cross to again give Turner no chance. Grantham did go close just after the hour when Lincoln keeper Paul Farman made an excellent one handed save to keep out a Stefan Galinski header. Jake Turner prevented Lincoln extending their lead on 68 minutes when he turned over a goal bound strike from Jordan Nicholson but 2 minutes later it was four for Lincoln when Johnathan Margetts met a free kick at the far post to score. Grantham introduced Sam Hankin for Grant Ryan on 75 minutes. Grantham did pull a goal back two minutes from time when Danny Durkin got onto a through pass from Luke Shaw to outpace the Lincoln defender to fire past Farman. That wasn’t the end of the scoring because after 2 minutes of added time Margetts went down in the box and then converted the resultant penalty.

Grantham

J Turner, S Purcicoe, E Storey, L Carr, S Galinski, M Hollingsworth, D Meadows R Lewis, G Ryan, C Burrows, J McGhee

Subs all used J Beckett, D Durkin S Hankin, B Harris, and L Shaw

Lincoln

P Farman, B Wood, L Beever, A Woodyard, J McCombe, C Howe, J Muldoon, A Power, T Miles, J Margetts, T Hawkridge

Subs all used R Higgins, C Stanley, J Caton, E Hodge, A Wright, J Nicholson, and L Anderson

Ref A Wilson

Attendance 524