Autumn must be on it's way as Fulham is preparing to take part the Carling League Cup. On Wednesday The Cottagers welcome Lincoln City of the Football League Two, or Division Four in old money, in a second round clash. The Imps are a blast from the past highlighting how far Fulham has come in the last 7 years.

Fulham last met Lincoln in the 1998/99 season when both clubs were playing in the old Division 3 and Kevin Keegan and Ray Wilkins oversaw home and away victories. That was the season The Cottagers were promoted as Champions and Lincoln were relegated. In the previous three seasons both clubs had been playing in the old Division 4 and Fulham lost twice and drew one of the three home games with crowds of 4000.

Lincoln City finished just outside the Play-off Zone in League Two last year and this season, after 9 games, are mid-table having drawn 3 of their 4 away games.

The Imps appear in Round Two after crushing Crewe, early strugglers in the Championship (Div 2), 5-1 at Sincil Bank in the First Round about a month ago.

The referee on Wednesday evening will be Keith Stroud from Hampshire who is in his second season in the Football League having moved up from the Conference at the end of the 2003/2004 season. He will be officiating at a Premiership ground for the first time.

Club Captain Luis Boa Morte said today "The Carling Cup is very important to us as it will give us a chance to lift ourselves after Saturday. Lincoln will come to us feeling they have nothing to lose because they are three divisions below us. So we will have to take the game to them and try and finish the game as early as possible. The spirit is there and we will fight against Lincoln on Wednesday and then Tottenham on Monday. Even though we lost against West Ham we know we're going in the right direction."