April 6, 2018 4.42 pm This story is over 71 months old

Imps boss Cowley relishing Wembley challenge against ‘fantastic’ Shrewsbury

Bring on the final.
Danny and Nicky Cowley. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincoln City boss Danny Cowley is excited about the challenge ahead of Sunday’s Checkatrade Trophy Final at Wembley, but acknowledges just how difficult it could be.

As previously reported, Shrewsbury claimed a 1-0 win over Yeovil to reach the final against the Imps, who knocked out Chelsea’s Under-21s in a penalty shootout in the other semi-final.

Both teams are also flying high and chasing promotion in their respective divisions with Shrewsbury second in League One and Lincoln sixth in League Two.

He said during the team’s press conference on Friday, April 6: “We’re very respectful of Shrewsbury they are a fantastic side, Paul Hurst and Chris Doig have done an amazing job there, for me the Football League manager of the year without a shadow of a doubt.

“They have recruited brilliantly and they’ve got a group working so hard for them, there is so much to admire about the Shrewsbury team, they are right on the cusp of the Championship, but we’re not going there for a day out, we’re going there to try to win.

“You don’t get to the top of League One without being a really good team and that’s exactly what they are.

“It will be without doubt our toughest opponents since Arsenal in the quarter-final of the FA Cup, so we’re really looking forward to the challenge ahead of ourselves this weekend.”

Lincoln’s path to the final

The Imps beat off competition from Notts County, Mansfield and Everton’s Under-21s to finish top of the Checkatrade Trophy’s Northern Section Group G.

Lincoln then beat Accrington, Rochdale, Peterborough and Chelsea’s youngsters in the knockout stages.

Wembley tributes

Jack Nottingham, a teenage cancer patient, will be walking the ball onto the pitch for Lincoln City at Wembley on Sunday.

The English Football League will stage a ‘period of applause’ before the final in celebration of the life of former England captain Ray Wilkins, who sadly died on Wednesday, March 4.