Imps face the best opposition yet-and coast it.

Danny Cowley said Carlisle United were the best side Lincoln City had to face so far this season. Despite the scoreline I can believe him. Carlisle were organised and enterprising, once City had destroyed their main tactic of the day which I’m convinced was to come away from Sincil Bank with a point. They then had to try to fashion a goal. When it came it was a bit of a howler to be honest. Paul Farman may come to rue the day he didn’t see the ball out of harms way. We’ve all come to the realisation that these league two clubs are no mugs and it was probably no great surprise when the ball ended up in the net rather than into the crowd behind the goal.

If Farman’s fluff was a bit of a collectors item there were several more. You can now tell your grandchildren you were there the day Alex Woodyard scored two at Sincil Bank. What THE Alex Woodyard they might retort? The one who played for (insert Premier League or top continental side of your choice) Yes, he played for Lincoln City early on in his career. When they came they certainly were worth waiting for. Matt Rhead scored a classy penalty too. You could call that a collectors item if you were basking in the glory of City sweeping aside a very good Carlisle team and feeling a bit cheeky.

On the minus side, by way of a change Neil Eardley misplaced a pass and Michael Bostwick had a bit off an off game but no matter it was a stirring performance from the men in red and white shirts and the racket which greeted Woodyards opener would have surely ruffled the moustaches of the Steam Punks all the way up at the castle.

The gate was not the 8000 that witnessed the seasons opener at Sincil Bank, it was more and, I confidently predict it will be even more, perhaps even over the 10000 threshold for the visit of Luton who surely will sell all their allocation in the Stacey West stand. On today’s evidence they will be by no means certain of returning south with anything more than a bit of a grounding on who the new kids on the block of this league are.