Lincoln put on a repeat show

LINCOLN 4 EXETER CITY 1

City consolidated their place just outside the top four when they strode to a comprehensive victory at Sincil Bank on Saturday.

Rivals are beginning to look upon Lincoln as a threat in the Fourth Division and their performances at home clearly have the stamp of a side with promotion very much in mind.

This latest success made it 11 points out of 13 from home matches-and this after Exeter had taken the lead in the 12th minute. The man who did the damage was big Percy Freeman who hammered a hat-trick. He was doubtful for the match but passed a late fitness test. How Exeter must have wished he had not recovered from a mid-week knock.

But the visitors got off to a good start when their burley winger Rowan scored with a snapshot when unmarked, putting Lincoln behind for the first time in seven home matches this season.

Great save

Eventually Lincoln took a grip and soon after Gilliver had forced Wilson to a great save they pulled level on the half hour.

A long throw by Freeman bobbled about and Hubbard scored with a superb overhead kick to net his 12th goal of the season.

Four minutes later Smith fired in a cross and Freeman just managed to prod the ball under the diving Wilson. From then on Lincoln never looked back.

In the second half Freeman struck twice in four manules while both Hubbard and Trevis hit the woodwork. Freeman's second was a superb volley in the 61st minute and he wrapped up his hat trick with a swift low shot from the same distance.

• A year ago Lincoln managed a similar 4-1 win over Exeter,  again Hubbard got the first and again it was followed up by a hat-tick this time by Trevis.