The Imps netted five in a well-executed away performance at high-flying Barnsley.
After an even opening to the match City registered the first shot on target in the 14th minute following some neat build up play which finished with Ben House striking low from inside the area into Liam Roberts’ grasp.
The Imps took encouragement from this and went ahead a minute later when Lasse Sorensen broke down the right following Danny Mandroiu’s long ball forward. The Dane then sent a composed delivery towards Joe Taylor in the centre who smashed his shot past Roberts.
City then had a good chance on the half hour mark as House’s deflected shot dropped for Taylor in the centre of the area who volleyed towards the bottom right corner to force Roberts into a fingertip save.
Despite these chances for City, the hosts kept pushing forward in search of a leveller as Devante Cole’s initial shot was bravely blocked by Paudie O’Connor before Herbie Kane sent the rebound over the crossbar.
Adam Phillips was next up to test the Imps’ goal as he drilled a 25-yard free-kick through the bodies towards the bottom left corner which had to be tipped past the post by Lukas Jensen.
Michael Skubala’s side began the second half well and could’ve doubled their lead in the 46th minute when Sorensen picked out an unmarked Mandroiu in the middle whose goalbound shot was unfortunately blocked by team-mate Taylor.
Substitute Jack Moylan then put City two goals ahead in the 54th minute after he won the ball inside Barnsley’s half and then wriggled past a few defenders before slotting into the far corner.
The Imps gave the travelling supporters even more to celebrate just three minutes later when Taylor flicked the ball onto Mandroiu who went on a mazy run into the area before finishing across goal to put his side three up.
Moylan scored his second and the Imps fourth of the afternoon in the 72nd minute after a wide free-kick was headed out to the Irishman 30 yards out who smashed home into the bottom left corner.
Barnsley pulled one back in the 77th minute through Adam Phillips who rifled a half-volley across goal and into the top left corner, however City restored their four-goal advantage soon after.
Moylan almost secured his hat-trick after dancing into the area and striking at goal, however his effort was pushed only as far as Jovon Makama who tapped home from a few yards out.
Barnsley: Liam Roberts, Jordan Williams ©, Mael Gevigney, Nicky Cadden (Corey O’Keefe 67’), Herbie Kane (Conor Grant 53’), Jamie McCart, Adam Phillips, Josh Earl, Devante Cole (Aiden Marsh 67’), John McAtee (Sam Cosgrove 53’), Luca Connell. Subs (not used): Ben Killip, Jon Russell, Barry Cotter.
Goals: Phillips (77’).
Imps: Lukas Jensen, Lasse Sorensen, Ethan Erhahon, Reeco Hackett (Dylan Duffy 83’), Joe Taylor (TJ Eyoma 73’), Danny Mandroiu (Jack Burroughs 53’), Paudie O’Connor ©, Ben House (Jovon Makama 73’), Sean Roughan, Alex Mitchell, Freddie Draper (Jack Moylan 46’). Subs (not used): Jordan Wright, Adam Jackson.
Goals: Taylor (15’), Moylan (55’, 72’), Mandroiu (58’), Makama (79’).
Attendance: 14,158 (1,965 away).
Referee: Ben Atkinson.
