The Opposition: Lincoln City (H)

The Opposition: Lincoln City (H)
Everything you need to know about the Imps

February 23rd 2023Will Pritchard

We welcome Lincoln City to The Bolt New Lawn on Saturday, as Rovers return to home comforts, looking to bounce back from a tough defeat against promotion-chasing Ipswich Town.

Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s opponents, the Imps.

IN THE DUGOUT: MARK KENNEDY

Still in the infancy of his managerial career, Kennedy was appointed manager of Lincoln in May 2022. The former Republic of Ireland international replaced Michael Appleton, who left the club in the April after three years of service.

Kennedy started his journey as a manager at Macclesfield Town during the 2019/20 season, but only managed 12 league matches. He left the club after rejecting a contract offer in August 2020, following the Silkmen’s relegation to the National League.

The 46-year-old has had a steady start to life at the LNER Stadium, with only four teams (Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth, Ipswich and Derby) having lost less league games this season.

Despite this, the Imps are currently sat in 15th place, with the club having drawn 15 league matches so far in the 2022/23 campaign.

ONE TO WATCH: BEN HOUSE

The Imps’ top goal scorer so far this season, House has netted seven league goals in 24 appearances.

An ex-Scotland U21 international, the forward will be back in contention to start for Kennedy’s side this Saturday - after missing out against Portsmouth on the weekend due to suspension.

Despite having stepped up to League One from the National League in January 2022, House is on course to break his best goalscoring haul in a league season (9 goals in 37 matches), should he continue firing at his current rate.

PLAYED FOR BOTH SIDES: HARRY BOYES

A familiar face to Rovers fans, the defender spent the first part of the 2022/23 season on loan at the Bolt New Lawn.

Boyes’ finest moment in a Rovers shirt came against in the 1-0 win over Cheltenham Town, as the wing-back produced a brilliant delivery from a free-kick to provide the assist for Myles Peart-Harris’ winner back in December.

During his time in Nailsworth, Boyes made sixteen appearances for the club, before being recalled by parent club Sheffield United.

Since being recalled, the 21-year-old joined Lincoln on a short-term loan until the end of the season and has made five appearances so far at the club.