City progress. In more ways than one.

I’ve really enjoyed the Checkatrade Trophy. It’s made a nice change from the trench warfare that the league can be. If this is a competition for squad teams then maybe you can argue that ours is better than Mansfield Town’s or Notts County’s. Perhaps there’s something to be said for a smaller setup.

The first half last night against Notts County maybe reflected the weather although an enterprising City seemed the team that wanted the game more despite the fact it was the Magpies who needed a win to progress. However it was County that took the lead following a bit of a howler that saw Jonathan Forte with only the keeper to beat which he did with ease. City levelled with an own goal that you’d like to say City would have put in had the defender not but with the Imps finishing at the moment who knows?

I’ve seen a lot of tournament football at junior level and it was pleasing to see City progress from the group stage after three good performances in the same format. The last round saw a spectacular free kick but last night’s effort from Josh Ginnelly was an absolute pearler and lit up a drab Sincil Bank and sent us home with a spring in our step and looking forward to the draw.

Much has been made of the reserve team nature of the teams clubs have put out but it has at least given us and more importantly the manager the chance to see those players that would like to have more game time set out their stall. In that respect Elliott Whitehouse did his chances no harm at all. There was an interesting experiment if you like where Michael Bostwick played in midfield first half and Alex Woodyard the second. The Imps looked a vastly superior outfit in the second spell and maybe there will be a different look to the defence when Sean Raggett moves on. Ellis Chapman had a few minutes again and he looks a real prospect. Not naming any names but there were others that did not shine. Certainly not in that bracket would be Harry Anderson. Injury and in Billy Knotts case an unjustified red card have not done them any favours at all.

I really need to find another expression for the Checkatrade Trophy other than much maligned but for me it was definitely an evening usefully spent and I look forward to the home tie that the Imps efforts have ensured.