Jed Ward – 6
Might be slightly kind but without the goalkeeper making a couple of good saves in the first half, Rovers may have found themselves a couple of extra goals behind at half-time. Will be disappointed, especially with Lincoln’s fourth.
Connor Taylor – 5
Probably kind but the defender won all of his duels and made a handful of clearances, blocks and interceptions. Whether he was at fault for any of them or not, conceding five goals is a poor, poor day.
James Wilson – 4.5
Similar to Taylor but got himself booked. The 37-year-old has rightly been praised all season for his displays and longevity but that was a rare poor day.
Sil Swinkels (off for Lino Sousa 66′) – 4
A tough day for the young defender that he will need to learn from. Really struggled to deal with Jovon Makama and it wasn’t made any easier after being shifted out to left-back in the second half. The 21-year-old really won’t want to watch back Lincoln’s fourth goal as he was beaten far too easily by Makama. Made a great block in the first half but, overall, it was an afternoon to forget for the Dutchman.
Jack Hunt – 5
Again, not directly at fault for any of the goals but it’s tough to offer much praise when he has been part of a team that has conceded five goals.
Clinton Mola (off for Luke Thomas 46′) – 5
Taken off at half-time as part of a formation change that didn’t reap the intended rewards. The left-wing-back had a birthday to forget as he struggled to get a real grasp of his flank defensively.
Matt Butcher – 5
Another one who had a tough afternoon overall with a few moments of individual quality. Also looked tired.
Taylor Moore (off for Isaac Hutchinson 58′) – 4.5
Only he himself will truly know but the defender/midfielder looked as though he may have been experiencing an element of fatigue after two big shifts earlier in the week. Just didn’t grab hold of the game like he did against Bolton and was skipped past by James Collins before the Lincoln striker scored his side’s third. An off day.
Kofi Shaw – 6
One of very few Rovers players who walks away with some credit. Some really nice flashes of trickery and skill in the first half. It will be interesting to see how Inigo Calderon manages the 18-year-old after that because he has had two extremely different experiences within a number of days.
Scott Sinclair – 4.5
The forward’s leadership credentials have been questioned and criticised at times this season, rightly or wrongly. However, that was not a captain’s performance. Guilty of losing the ball in dangerous areas once or twice and offered limited threat in attack. Rovers’ lack of available strikers is proving a real issue.
Ruel Sotiriou (off for Ollie Dewsbury 58′) – 5
Possibly harsh considering the striker didn’t have a sniff until his team were 3-0 down, but that was also a major issue for Rovers. Another who might have been suffering from some fatigue. The 24-year-old just didn’t press in the way that he usually does. Could have, and possibly should have, scored at 3-0, forcing a save from George Wickens after a strike in the area.
Substitutes:
Luke Thomas (on 46′) – 5
Quiet on a tough day as Rovers offered very little in the final third.
Ollie Dewsbury (on 58′) – N/A
Not fair to rate the 17-year-old. Rounded the goalkeeper and would have drawn a foul if he wasn’t offside.
Isaac Hutchinson (on 58′) – 5
Also struggled to make an impact on the game.
Lino Sousa (on 66′) – 5
Managed his side okay for the short period of time he was on the pitch.
Joel Senior (on 82′) – N/A
Came on late.