Two games in one day to maximise minutes
Lincoln City will stage an unusual pre-season double-header tomorrow as the squad splits to play Doncaster Rovers in the afternoon and then travel to Oakwell to face Barnsley in the early evening. The plan, outlined by manager Chris Cohen after a heavy defeat earlier this week, is designed to make sure as many players as possible get a full 90 minutes before the competitive season begins.
The arrangement will see coaching staff cover both venues so that two different matchday squads can be managed. Cohen signalled the club will use the day to combine experienced professionals with younger players and trialists, providing game time across the group.
“We’ll fill the bench with some younger players, some youth players and some of the players that you saw around the squad today who didn’t get many minutes,”
The manager added: “We’ll have two teams go to two different venues. Me and Tom, the coaching staff and the rest of the group will go to both games.”
Who might play
With Andrei Coubiș available after already featuring for Universitatea Cluj in Europe, Cohen suggested the club can field stronger sides even while giving opportunities elsewhere. Players who have had substantial minutes this summer, such as Donald Iyama and Charlie Parks, are expected to feature, and trialist Matt Smith is also likely to be involved.
Notable absentees from recent action, including Tom Bayliss and Ben House, have missed the most recent friendlies — Bayliss has seen some pre-season minutes but House has not appeared publicly. The double fixture offers the chance to work both players back toward full match fitness ahead of the Carabao Cup tie.
- Opponents: Doncaster Rovers (afternoon), Barnsley at Oakwell (early evening)
- Objective: Give as many players as possible at least 90 minutes
- Staff: Coaching team to cover both matches across the day
Context and next steps
The decision follows a 5-1 defeat at Blundell Park earlier in the week, which prompted the staff to reassess how to distribute match minutes during the final phase of pre-season. The club has only played two open pre-season friendlies in the UK in the past 21 days, making this concentrated day of action particularly important.
Keeping players fit and match-ready is crucial as the Imps turn their attention to competitive fixtures, with a Carabao Cup tie against Derby County next weekend forming the immediate target. Cohen made clear the double fixture is about preparation rather than experimentation; it is a pragmatic response aimed at ensuring the squad is ready to deliver when the season starts.
| Match | Venue | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln City v Doncaster Rovers | Home (afternoon) | 90 minutes for a selection of players |
| Barnsley v Lincoln City | Oakwell (early evening) | 90 minutes for remaining squad members |
Supporters travelling between fixtures should check the club’s communications for any matchday updates. For the coaching staff and players, tomorrow represents a practical, if unconventional, step to ensure the squad reaches the opening competitive fixtures in the best possible shape.
