> The Mariners hit five goals as they beat Lincoln City in their latest pre-season friendly at Blundell Park.
Returning to home turf for the first time this summer, Town played some great football as they raced into a 3-0 half-time lead, with Jamie Walker opening the scoring before Charles Vernam doubled the advantage and Justin Amaluzor added a third goal.
Championship newcomers Lincoln changed their entire XI for the second half and they pulled a goal back through Dom Jeffries but Andy Cook’s late double sealed a fine victory for the hosts.
Town started with Christy Pym in goal and a defence of Harvey Rodgers, Maldini Kacurri, Cameron McJannet and Jayden Sweeney in front of him. Geza Turi sat behind the midfield of Amaluzor, Kieran Green, Walker and Vernam, as Cook led the attack.
Lincoln were playing their fourth friendly of the summer as they continued to build up to their first season in the second tier since 1961-62, following promotion from League One last term. So far, Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw’s side had beaten Boston United and Mansfield Town but fell to a 2-0 defeat by Leyton Orient as part of a training camp in Spain.
The hosts did not have to wait much longer to double their advantage though, as VERNAM cut inside from the left and curled a shot beyond Wickens into the far corner of the net.
Town’s next chance brought a fourth goal though, as COOK took advantage of a mistake by Gauci to take the ball forward and tap into the empty net on 82 minutes
Four minutes later, it was 5-1 as Green found Sweeney on the left and he crossed for COOK to head home at the far post and register his second goal of the night.
The build-up to the new season continues on Wednesday as Town head to Boston United for their second friendly in the space of 24 hours, before a return to Blundell Park on Saturday to face Wigan Athletic.
