Notts County (h): Form, Past Results & More

We take a look at the current form of both sides, Scotimp’s views from the Season Preview and past meetings between the two sides.

Ahead of today’s game against Notts County we take a look at the current form of both sides, Scotimp’s views from the Season Preview and past meetings between the two sides.

Lincoln City: Last Six Results (League Two):

Yeovil Town 0-2 Lincoln City
Lincoln City 2-0 Accrington Stanley
Newport County 0-0 Lincoln City
Lincoln City 3-0 Stevenage
Lincoln City 2-1 Forest Green Rovers
Luton Town 4-2 Lincoln City

Next Two Fixtures (League Two):

Barnet (a)
Mansfield Town (a)

Home Attendance Stats (League Two):

Lowest: 7,320 (v Barnet)
Highest: 9,581 (v Coventry City)

Total: 112,017 (13 games)
Average: 8,617

Top Scorers (League Two)

1: Matt Green (7)
2: Harry Anderson (6)
3: Matt Rhead (5)
4: Michael Bostwick (3)
5: Ollie Palmer (2)

Scotimp’s Views From the Season Preview – Part One | Part Two:

Lincoln City’s promotion to the Football League last season was as unexpected as it was breathtaking. Their run to the FA Cup quarter-final astonished and enthralled football supporters all over the world, and that is one reason why they are expected to do well this season. Wins over Oldham, Ipswich, Brighton and Burnley suggest that City will have little trouble with the likes of Crawley and Newport, and they have a far stronger squad this season. The methodical and analytical approach of Danny Cowley and his management team should deliver results regardless of which tier they are in; and whilst promotion to League One at the first attempt seems a tall order, they have plenty of momentum. Cowley has made some interesting signings during the close season, with Peterborough’s Player of the Season Michael Bostwick the headline-maker. Off the field, their policy of attracting sustainable investment has been enhanced through the advent of a couple of new directors. With a bespoke training ground scheduled to open in December and a new 15,000-seat stadium very much on the horizon, developments in infrastructure are set to keep pace with progress onfield. The people of Lincoln are certainly convinced: they have snapped up almost 6,000 season tickets over the summer, a response not seen since their Second Division days in the mid-1950s. City are almost guaranteed an average crowd of between 7,000 and 8,000, even if consolidation is the outcome next May. But the Cowleys have the opportunity they have worked for ten years to secure – to test their skills in the Football League – and they are unlikely to settle for anything less than a promotion challenge.

Prediction: Automatic promotion.

Notts County: Last Six Results (League Two):

Luton Town 1-1 Notts County
Notts County 0-0 Grimsby Town
Notts County 3-3 Cambridge United
Morecambe 1-4 Notts County
Swindon Town 1-0 Notts County
Notts County 1-0 Port Vale

Next Two Fixtures (League Two):

Exeter City (h)
Crawley Town (h)

Home Attendance Stats (League Two):

Lowest: 5,107 (v Swindon Town)
Highest: 13,267 (v Forest Green Rovers)

Total: 86,979 (12 games)
Average: 7,248

Top Scorers (League Two)

1: Jorge Grant (13)
2:Lewis Alessandra (6)
3: Shola Ameobi (4)
4: Jonathan Forte (4)
5: Jon Stead (4)

Scotimp’s Views From the Season Preview – Part One | Part Two:

In direct contrast to Newport, Notts County started last season in fine form, only to lose 10 successive games to slip from 4th to 22nd in League Two. A change of manager followed in January with the dismissal of John Sheridan, and a much-improved second half of the season under Kevin Nolan has raised hopes of better things this time around. County will be seeking financial stability under new owner Alan Hardy after years of financial crises, although the closure of the Notts County Ladies team indicates the problems have not entirely gone away. Strange, then, that Hardy should purchase Ilkeston FC from the liquidators in July. Signings include tricky winger Terry Hawkridge from Lincoln and the return on a season’s loan of popular midfielder Jorge Grant, who played a key role in County’s revival last season. Although the supply line has certainly been improved, goals may well be at a premium again, with the ageing pairing of Jon Stead and Jonathan Forte up front. Six new board members were appointed in June including BBC Radio 5Live presenter Darren Fletcher, thereby giving Hardy his own directors. Hardy confirms that the playing budget is up 10% on last season, although the fact that 12 players have been brought in during the summer compared to just 4 out would suggest that is a conservative figure. Hardy says the play-offs is the expectation, so rookie manager Nolan may have his hands full.

Prediction: Play-offs.

Last 6 Meetings:

20/12/08: Notts County 0-1 Lincoln City (League Two)
28/3/09: Lincoln City 1-1 Notts County (League Two)

29/9/09: Lincoln City 0-3 Notts County (League Two)
13/4/10: Notts County 3-1 Lincoln City (League Two)

23/9/17: Notts County 4-1 Lincoln City (League Two)
7/11/17: Lincoln City 2-1 Notts County (EFL Trophy)

Thank you to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City FC for the photograph.