The First round of the FA Cup is here

This weekend sees the magic of the FA Cup come to Sincil Bank with a first round tie against league two Plymouth Argyle who are currently just seven points off the relegation places. The Imps, as we have since our relegation, have had to qualify for the First Round Proper. This year it took a replay to defeat Worcester City 3-0 at Sincil Bank, the first leg ended 1-1 and The Imps may have been fortunate to have got a replay after a very poor performance away from Home.

Both sides come into this match with a similar problem in their play, a lack of goals. In the previous five matches Plymouth have scored just three goals, also only conceding just two goals in this time also. Similar statistics to The Imps who, whilst defending well are also really struggling to score goals or even create chances.

Coming into this match the Imps are on a very poor run, taking the matches against lower league opposition in Worcester City we have won just twice in the last ten Conference Premier matches. A run of form that has seen a promising start to the season fall into the bottom half of the table with confidence low amongst the fans. This FA Cup match gives the club a great chance to boost their morale with a victory over Football League opposition and more importantly a place in the Second Round of the Cup and the extra revenue that can be generated.

Plymouth travel up North from the South coast with a new loan signing amongst their ranks, former England under 20 striker Tope Obadeyi has joined from Bury until January and the chances are he will come straight into the attack as John Sheridan is desperate to add goals to the side. Elsewhere Argyle have a former Imps available for selection in Hamza Bencherif, the midfielder/defender spent a loan spell with the Imps before relegation to the Conference. To prove how poor Argyle have been in front of goal the top scorer so far this season is Reuben Reid with just three goals so far.

Imps manager has prepared for this potentially money spinning match by sending perennially injured striker Adi Yussuf out on loan to Gainsborough Trinity so that he can hopefully return to match practice. Paul Farman is still touch and go whether he will be fit enough to return in goal after missing out in the 3-0 victory. David Preece is on stand by if he is not passed fit. Attackers Danny Rowe and Connor Robinson are both out of this match with Injuries of varying degrees, this is likely to mean Tomlinson will continue as the lone striker unless Simpson finally decides to change tactics that haven`t worked for weeks now. Recent addition Jackson will be hoping to keep his place in the side. Mo Fofana may get a re-call, but I sadly expect Foster to continue to plod along in centre midfield.

This has the potential to be a rather dull and goal less game looking at the two sides recent form. Hopefully both managers will look at the Cup as an opportunity to revitalise their form in front of goal and look to attack from the off. I fear that this may be a case of whoever gets the first goal will win the match 1-0, if there is a goal. The Imps need to change tact but I don’t think Simpson wants to or is even capable of changing a side that is heavily defensive minded due to personnel and style.

I hope come Saturday evening we will all be looking forward to who we get in the Second Round of the Cup, last season we were very close to a club changing financially lucrative tie, I hope this year we do finally get some luck in the Cup!


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