retired_firoozeh

08/09/07

Brighton v Lincoln
Coca Cola League 2
This promises to be a tricky awat tie at Brighton. They are currently comfortably mid table and are expected to see off the challenge of our newly promoted side. On the other hand we enter the game on the back of a 7 match unbeaten run which has seen us in 3rd position.

The game starts with Brighton exerting heavy pressure on the Imps' defence. Despite the constant attacks we manage to hold them off until the 31st minute. Jake Robinson pounced on a loose ball in the Lincoln area to put the Seagulls ahead. The lead lasted a little over 7 minutes. A Lincoln break resulted in a long ball being played to Jon Parkin on the right flank, his cross was parried by 'keeper Michel Kuipers, but it rebounded from defender Adam El-Abd into the now empty net.
After the interval Brighton came out with the more aggressive intent, mounting several early attacks on the Lincoln goal, but it was all to no effect as the defence held firm until the final whistle.

Final Score
Brighton 1 - Lincoln 1

retired_firoozeh

11/09/07

Lincoln v Millwall
Coca Cola League 2

At home to early league leaders Millwall, this game had the potential to end our unbeaten run. In the end, the highlight of this game was the winner of the halftime penalty shootout competition being attacked by the Imps mascot, Poacher. Millwall's physical game also caused Stuart Green to be taken off with fractured ribs.
Another game, another draw, and another clean sheet, football at the Bank doesn't see many goals, but at least it's a point closer to safety.

Full Time
Lincoln City 0 - Millwall 0


************************************************** **************************
The physio has indicated Stuart Green could be out of action for up to 2 months.

retired_firoozeh

15/09/07

Lincoln v Swansea
Coca Cola League 2

The pre-match expectations weren't high with Swansea predicted to comfortably beat home side Lincoln. The pre-match predictions turned out to be correct. A superb performance and a hat-trick by Christian Roberts saw Swansea 3-0 up by half time. Another dull second half is compounded by a poor performance from most of the Lincoln team. The only real bright spots came from the performances of second half substitutes Gareth McKeown and trainee Tom Wilkinson.

The post match analysis sees several pundits writing off Lincoln's chances of survival after this first set-back.

Final Score
Lincoln 0 - Swansea 3

retired_milla0225

Nice start to the story, Imp. Like the title too.

retired_firoozeh

**Thanks mate, glad you like it so far**

22/09/07 PM

Chesterfield v Lincoln
Coca Cola League 2

We went into this game confident of getting a good performance, despite the recent loss to Swansea. Recent performances have seen us sitting in 5th position, whilst relegation candidates Chesterfield are sat in 18th place. After the Swansea match John Ruddy has returned to the bench to be replaced by Alan Marriott, and Jeff Hughes is in at left midfield for his first start of the campaign.

The first half was a quiet affair, with neither side able to make any progress the score at half time remains 0-0. The second half started with more action as Paul Mayo was dismissed for a second yellow card putting us on the back foot for the next 45 minutes. The Imp's defence is stretched for much of the half, but looks like holding firm until the 81st minute when Michael Gault volleyed in at short range from a free kick to send us ahead with just 9 minutes left. This good news is countered by Jeff Hughes limping off with a sprained ankle.

Full time
Chesterfield 0 - Lincoln 1

************************************************** ************************************************** *
The physio report indicates Jeff Hughes will be out for up to 2 months.

retired_firoozeh

**Ooops, just realised I've written league 2 for some results, mentally change 'em to league 1 :o)***


25/09/07

Lincoln v Colchester
Coca Cola League 1

We went into this game against 4th position Colchester, whilst we are in 3rd position. This was another game which I expected to be a struggle, although pre match odds were only slightly in the visitors' favour. Paul Mayo's suspension and Jeff Hughes' injury mean a reshuffle in the centre, with Joe Anyinsah starting on the left, and a first career competetive start for Tom Wilkinson.
During the match we managed to cruise to a 2 goal lead before half time thanks to Jon Parkin who grabs his 4th and 5th goals for the season. The second half continues in the same vein as the first when Parkin bags his third goal of the game. The third goal seems to knock the wind from Colchester's sails, and not even a late goal from Matthew Paine can prevent us from taking all 3 points.

FULL TIME
Lincoln City 3 Jon Parkin (5, 15, 46) - Colchester 1 Matthew Paine (88)

************************************************** ************************************************** ****************************

The local press and fans are delighted with the recent performances from the Imps, in particular the hard working efforts from Jon Parkin who bagged his second hat=trick of the season. These performances seem to vindicate my decision to bring Parkin in from rivals Hull despite opposition from sections of the fans.

retired_jgirl87

Good start, mate. :thup:

We have a Daz the Imp on here as a regular and I'm sure he'll love your story.

A tip: Don't put so many *******'s in a row if you don't want the page to expand sideways.

retired_firoozeh

Sat 29/09/07

Carlisle v Lincoln
Coca Cola League 2

Once again fans' hopes were high as we played 23rd placed Carlisle away from home. Despite Paul Mayo returning from suspension the team remained unchanged from Tuesday's victory over Colchester.

Although we had the best of the early exchanges several dubious referee's decisions prevented us really getting hold of the game. Carlisle took the lead in the 34th minute when Richard Garcia pounced on a loose ball to put them ahead. Although we went into half time trailing, I was confidant that we could at least gain a draw having outplayed Carlisle at every turn. Unfortunatly it was not to be, and despite the team putting in strong performances we were unable to score an equaliser.

Full Time
Carlisle 1 (Garcia, 34) - Lincoln 0

retired_firoozeh

01/10/07

The start of another month, and Lincoln are still sat comfortably away from the drop zone. Although it's still early in the season fan hopes remain high and the board are delighted with the club's progress. With almost £1.5 million in the bank it may be time to start asking for some extra cash investment for the January transfer window. Other positive news is that the average attendance has almost doubled from last season, with an average of 8,460 making their way to Sincil Bank for the home games, and over 10,000 were present for Swansea's visit.

On the pitch it's been a mixed bag. Strong performances from the defensive players have been countered by poor returns from the attacking players. Between the sticks Mazza has been in fine form, with just 4 goals conceded in his 9 games and 5 clean sheets he is certainly the first name on the team sheet. The situation up front is less rosy, 3 strikers hav failed to hit the net at all, and whilst top scorer Jon Parkin has hit 6 goals they have come in just 2 games. 13 goals in 12 games is still a decent return, but taking out own goals and Parkin's hat-tricks it points to a lack of firepower that could cause serious issues later in the year.

Squad performances have been generally strong, and most of the players have managed the step up to League 1 comfortably despite media predictions of a torrid season. Another recent bonus has been the form of youngster Tom Wilkinson, who marked his first start with an assist during the 3-1 victory over Colchester. My assistant doesn't seem so convinced though, and has recently recommended letting him leave the club, just days after mentioning he was on the verge of breaking into the squad.

The League 2 table http://img427.imageshack.us/img427/6...leoct07ks5.jpg

Squad stats http://img427.imageshack.us/img427/2237/squadcx9.jpg


The next game is Sat 6th Oct at home to mid-table Tranmere Rovers.

retired_firoozeh

Sat 06/10/07

Lincoln v Tranmere
Coca Cola League 1

Despite poor performances in the league, 13th placed Tranmere came to Sincil Bank as clear favourites for this match. Once again Lincoln named an unchanged starting 11, but Lee Frecklington was on the bench having played a couple of reserve games recently. Youngster Tom Wilkinson made his third consecutive start for the Imps.

The match started well for Tranmere, with a goal after just 16 seconds, thanks to some horriffic defending from Paul Mayo who played a shocking ball across his own area. It was cut out by Gregg Burnett who tucked away the ball for his first ever Tranmere goal. Although we threatened when going forward, the shooting today was awful, only Gary Birch came close in the first half with a powerful header, but it was saved by 'keeper John Achterburg.
The second half continued in the same form, we had the upper hand but were unavle to capitilise thanks to more poor finishing, Gary Birch blazed two efforts over the bar in 5 minutes. Our best chance for an equaliser came from a Tom Wilkinson free kick which was pushed around the post from a fine save by Achterburg. The game was killed off in the 64th minute with a 30 yard shot from Gregg Burnett to collect his second goal of the game.

Full Time
Lincoln City 0 - Tranmere Rovers 2 Gregg Burnett (1, 64)

****
Post match physio reports indicated that Kris Taylor had twisted his ankle and would be out for a month. This leaves me with only Paul Mayo as a left footed player in the side, so Joe Anyinsah is probably going to move to the left flank for the next game.
The poor shooting is also a cause for concern at the moment. We had 10 shots at goal, but only forced 2 saves from the Tranmere 'keeper. More strikers could be on their way to Sincil Bank soon.