It did not take long for him to break the deadlock, meeting Sam Habergham's cross with an excellent header after just two minutes.
A 25-yard strike from Nathan Arnold made it two just three minutes later, Arnold meeting a sublime cross-field pass from Lee Beevers.
Arnold then turned provider for Luke Waterfall who headed his corner in on 16 minutes, before Ben Middleton saw red for conceding a penalty and Rhead got his second from the spot on 24 minutes.
Curtis Bateson pulled one back five minutes later from United's first attack, but after the break Johnny Margetts and Bradley Wood completed the rout by the 66th minute - the latter with an excellent solo effort.
Report supplied by the Press Association.
Match ends, Lincoln City 6, North Ferriby United 1.
Second Half ends, Lincoln City 6, North Ferriby United 1.
Mark Gray (North Ferriby United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Curtis Bateson (North Ferriby United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Substitution, Lincoln City. Jamie McCombe replaces Matt Rhead.
Substitution, North Ferriby United. Ryan Fallowfield replaces Connor Oliver.
Ryan Kendall (North Ferriby United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Substitution, Lincoln City. Elliot Hodge replaces Jack Muldoon.
Substitution, North Ferriby United. Danny Emerton replaces Connor Robinson.
Substitution, Lincoln City. Alex Simmons replaces Nathan Arnold.
Goal!  Lincoln City 6, North Ferriby United 1. Bradley Wood (Lincoln City).
Goal!  Lincoln City 5, North Ferriby United 1. Jonathon Margetts (Lincoln City).
Substitution, North Ferriby United. Ryan Kendall replaces Vinny Mukendi.
Second Half begins Lincoln City 4, North Ferriby United 1.
First Half ends, Lincoln City 4, North Ferriby United 1.
Goal!  Lincoln City 4, North Ferriby United 1. Curtis Bateson (North Ferriby United).
Goal!  Lincoln City 4, North Ferriby United 0. Matt Rhead (Lincoln City) converts the penalty with a.
Ben Middleton (North Ferriby United) is shown the red card.
Goal!  Lincoln City 3, North Ferriby United 0. Luke Waterfall (Lincoln City).
Goal!  Lincoln City 2, North Ferriby United 0. Nathan Arnold (Lincoln City).
Goal!  Lincoln City 1, North Ferriby United 0. Matt Rhead (Lincoln City).
First Half begins.
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Matt Rhead's second brace in as many games inspired Lincoln to a 6-1 victory at home to North Ferriby in the National League.