Just one hour to celebrate for busy Imps
LUKE WATERFALL has revealed that Lincoln manager Danny Cowley brought his players’ FA Cup celebrations to an abrupt halt on Tuesday night.
Cowley’s non-League side earned a memorable 1-0 replay win over Championship Ipswich to set up a fourth-round tie with Brighton, who are on course for promotion into the Premier League.
But the National League leaders are back in league action tomorrow when Dover visit Sincil Bank and face a trip to Barrow next Tuesday before the Brighton clash.
It meant Cowley warned his players it was business as usual – and Imps skipper Waterfall insisted there was no dissent from within the ranks.
“We have two massive games before the Brighton game,” said Waterfall. “The gaffer told us he would let us enjoy the win for an hour, which was generous of him. But he is deadly serious.
“We look to Friday and Tuesday, which are two massive games for us in the league. That’s the main aim. This is the icing on the cake for us but the league is the priority.”
Waterfall says beating Ipswich confirms the club are capable of operating at a higher level and returning to the Football League after a six-year absence.
“I’ve said it a number of times now, this is not a non-League club, it’s a club who should be in the Football League,” said the centre-back.
“Look at the fan base we can attract. We’ve got great fans and we want to keep them here and keep the good times going.”
The cup run has also provided a welcome boost to finances, with Tuesday’s win taking Lincoln’s earnings from the competition to more than £350,000.
Chairman Bob Dorrian said: “To outplay a Championship club two games running says to me how far this football club have come in such a short space of time.
“The whole team were absolutely outstanding in every single department.
“And the management are something else, they really are.”