City prepare for the Johnstone's Paint Draw

By Nathan Jackson
September 5 2007

On Saturday the Imps will learn who their first (and more than likely the last) opponents in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy will be this season. City enter the competition at the second round stage via a bye after three straight first round exits, those coming after a relatively decent record in the competition, but City are an awful team in cup competitions in recent years.

It's been 2 years now since the Imps didn't go out of a knock-out competition at the first round stage. Since that night in Fulham the Imps have lost to Scunthorpe and Doncaster in the Carling Cup, Tranmere and Grimsby in the LDV/JP Trophy, MK Dons and Port Vale in the FA Cup and Grimsby and Bristol Rovers in the semi finals in both of the last two playoffs.

City are far from guaranteed an easy draw despite the fact the majority that remain are League 2 sides. Grimsby pulled off the shock of the round, destroying Huddersfield 4-1 at Blundell Park.

The draw for the 2nd Round takes place on Saturday morning during Soccer AM.

CITY'S POSSIBLE OPPONENTS

Bury

Carlisle United

Chester City

Darlington

Doncaster Rovers

Grimsby Town

Hartlepool United

Leeds United

Morecambe

Port Vale