Lincoln "go west" with a full-strength squad trying not to feel confident against a winless Stoke. Vice-captain Sam Smith returns in defence and Jake Beeson replaces Matt Clarke and Martin Sherwin in the midfield.

G - Jon Stamper
D - Sam Smith (vc), Sam Deakin, Toby James, Anthony Burnell
LSM - Will Monnery
M - Aiden Jakubik, Jake Stenhouse, Michael Barker, Christopher Ng, Jake Beeson
A - Dan Jones (c), Sam Cave, Lucas Mullery

A depleted Stoke side begin the game unsettled, and the first quarter becomes a shooting gallery for the visitors. The ice is broken with a standout goal from midfielder Michael Barker, who bursts down the alley and stings the top corner. Despite being permitted to pepper the Stoke cage, Lincoln shoot inconsistently and score a modest trio of goals before the end of the period - identical step-in shots scored by Aiden Jakubik, Dan Jones and Jake Stenhouse. With Jakubik solid at the X, and Lincoln backing up their wayward shots, Lincoln's on-form defence are thus far untroubled. Q1 0-4

With a four-goal cushion, Lincoln have the luxury of experimenting; Lucas Mullery tries his hand in the midfield; he is replaced in the attack line by Aiden Jakubik; and Michael Barker steps in comfortably to face-off for the second quarter. With Aiden Jakubik and Dan Jones sharing the role of QB, and Sam Cave relocating to the crease, the latter explodes into action, scoring 4 goals in the period assisted by his fellow attackmen. Lucas steps in comfortably in the midfield, a rock-solid defender and a constant downhill cutting threat. Stoke begin to threaten, but are ousted by a clean-shaven Jon Stamper in the goal, leaping like a salmon on two occasions in a frankly scary effort to keep his clean sheet. The second dive is aimed directly onto the stick of a poaching Stoke attacker and accompanied by a kick which impossibly ends up in the stick of a guilty Dan Jones, who (eager to redeem himself for a darn right irresponsible wayward behind the back pass) flies up the pitch to tee-up a ruthless Sam Cave. Stoke remain goalless, Jones (courtesy of a cool no-look pass from Jakubik) and Jakubik are able to add two goals themselves, and Lincoln end the half with an almighty ten goal lead. Q2 0-6

Considering the increasingly irrelevant scoreline, the relentless way in which Lincoln continue their marriage of tireless work ethic and notable patience into the second half is testament to their strong character. Stoke are less passive defensively now, quick to double Lincoln's danger men, but Lincoln are more than willing to move the ball, slowly deconstruct their opponents and wait for the right look. In this vain the attack trio are able to add 5 more to their tally in the third quarter, and Michael Barker scores his second of the day from the midfield. The boys in yellow find themselves playing more defence but long-poles Sam Smith, Anthony Burnell, Toby James, Sam Deakin and Will Monnery are relentless, giving up no ground. Sam Deakin is savvy on the double, sliding to the blind side of Stoke's ball carriers to take away the ball, Anthony Burnell now shares LSM responsibilities comfortably and Will Monnery throws some unyielding checks likened to the use of a "battle axe" by the officials. Stoke remain goalless. Q3 0-6

A tireless Lincoln ponder their 16-0 margin at the end of the third quarter - never before have the Yellowbellies bested 20 goals in a game or kept a clean sheet over 80 minutes. With inspired intentions, they set out in the final quarter determined, and start by netting through the familiar combination of Dan Jones and Sam Cave. Lincoln continue to vastly dominate possession with midfielders Lucas Mullery, Jake Stenhouse, Jake Beeson, Michael Barker and Christopher Ng winning loose balls and the attack riding hard as ever. The goals keep coming, Jones, Cave and Stenhouse add to their tallies, and Lincoln reach their 20 goal milestone. Jonny Stamper is lightly tested as the game draws to a close, especially in passing up opportunities to leave his crease to heroic ends! The game ends with Lincoln's patience rewarded, and a fitting final goal from Sam Cave, bringing his daily tally to a staggering 9 goals. With a sheet as clean as Jon Stamper's face is shaven, and 21 goals to take back to Lincoln, the drive home feels worthwhile to say the least. Q4 0-5

Scorers:
Sam Cave (9, 0)
Dan Jones (5, 7)
Aiden Jakubik (3, 7)
Michael Barker (2, 0)
Jake Stenhouse (2, 0)

Man of the Match goes to goal machine Sam Cave.

Statistics:
• Milestones surpassed. Lincoln have already had a standout season, whilst extending their club-record winning tally to 5, now they have also scored over 20 goals in a game and kept a clean sheet for the first time.
• Goals. Lincoln have conceded the second most goals (134) but are currently the third highest scoring team in NEMLA Prem 3, with 117 goals. This is over double their 2013/14 tally. Attackmen Sam Cave and Dan Jones have each scored more goals than Stoke, and combined have also scored more goals than both Ruthin and Hull!