The Imps will host Manchester City U21 at the LNER Stadium on Tuesday 12 November in a match that will decide who will progress from Group G in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy (7pm KO).
Hear from Michael Skubala and midfielder Ethan Hamilton, as well as reading up on the important match information ahead of tomorrow’s tie.
Skubala’s thoughts
“We want to go through to the next round. We know it’s going to be tough, they’re the best kids in world football. We need to put a team out there that can win the game. They have a real attacking threat, and the way they play is like their first team, and there’s no doubt they’ll be really good on the ball.
“The lads that are playing are going to need the support from the fans, so it’ll be great to get a good crowd down there. We’re playing against a huge club in Man City, with huge potential players who will be ones for the future. We need the support to try and push through this competition and get through to the next round where we all want to be and hopefully we’ll kick on from there.
“Of course we want to avoid penalties, but if we have to do it that way and still get through then that’s the most important thing.”
Hamilton’s take
“It’s good to be back, obviously when you’re injured all you want to do is be on the pitch playing football, I feel like I’m getting stronger with every game and training session, so it’s enjoyable.
“We’ve got a great squad, and whatever team the manager puts out has players who are ready to contribute. We attack every game that we play, we’ve got real depth in the squad and everyone’s fighting for the shirt.
“We want to go out there and win the game tomorrow night, we all want to progress in the competition and it’s a good chance to get to Wembley at the end of it. So we’ll aim to get a result.”
A look at the opposition
Manchester City U21 have proved to be a formidable team in the youth league, currently topping the standings of Premier League 2.
City’s youngsters have also made an impression in their two opening Bristol Street Motors Trophy group games, taking both Chesterfield and Grimsby Town to penalties, winning one shootout and losing the other.
This leaves them on three points, the same as the Imps, meaning Tuesday night’s fixture will decide which team progresses along with Chesterfield to the round of 32.
Form: WWWWW
Top scorer: Farid Alfa-Ruprecht (5 goals)
Match information
City will sport their usual home colours against the young Citizens, get yours HERE!
Aaron Bannister will be the match referee, with Marc Wilson and Harley Mckittrick supporting him as his assistants. Callum Gough will be the fourth official.
Cheer the lads on as we aim to progress from our group by purchasing your ticket HERE.
The match sponsors for the game will be the University of Lincoln.
