retired_firoozeh

Tue 9th October

Lincoln announce loan signings!
Lincoln today completed the load signings of 2 premier league strikers on 3 month deals. Andrew Carroll has made 5 Premiership appearances as a substitute for Newcastle United scoring 4 times. Lincoln have also secured Tottenham's Czech U-21 International Tomas Pekhart whilst Pekhart has only made 1 appearance for Spurs, he has scored 4 times for his country's U21 side. Both players are expected to go straight into the squad for Saturday's away game at Doncaster Rovers.

retired_firoozeh

Sat 13/10/07

Doncaster v Lincoln
Coca Cola League 1

Once again we head into a game where the opponents are clear favourites. In fact noone believes we have any chance, as the pre match odds of a Lincoln win are 4-1 compared to Doncaster's 4-7 odds. Doncaster have struggled on the pitch and are sat in 14th position but French winger Alexandre Frutos has been in fine form and is the man to watch. Lincoln named an almost unchanged side from their previous game. With Kris Taylor injured, 19 year old winger Owain Warlow made his first appearance since last campaign. On loan Andrew Carroll starts in place of Gary Birch in attack, whilst Tomas Pekhart starts on the subs bench.

The match itself had few highlights. Frutos was indeed a dangerman, as both Paul Mayo and Lee Frecklington can attest, a hard tackle from Frutos meant Mayo needed the Physio's attention and whilst he was being treated another Frutos tackle saw Frecklington in need of the magic sponge. Once again the Lincoln strikers were unable to even force a save, all 5 shots flyong wide as the players snatched at opportunities. Contrary to pre-match expectations Doncaster fared little better, only forcing once save from Alan Marriott in the whole match. Although several pundits claimed we were fortunate to gain a point, I never felt that Doncaster really threatened us so a point was probably a fair outcome.

*****
We came through this match without any injuries or suspensions, but several changes are on the cards for the midweek visit to Chesterfield for the Johnstone's Paint fixture.

retired_firoozeh

Tue 16/10/07

Chesterfield v Lincoln
Johnstone's Paint Trophy North, 1st Round

The Imps head into this away tie hoping to progress past the first round of a cup for a change. Several changes have been made from the side that drew against Doncaster. John Ruddy starts for the first time since the 3-0 defeat against Swansea. In Defence Paul Morgan and Colin Cryan both return to the starting line up. [Lee Frecklington and Tomas Pekhard[/i] are the other two changes to the starting lineup tonight.

The game starts with well, Chesterfield are limited to an early shot which is blazed over from 12 yards out. The game goes Lincoln's way in the 26th minute, Tomas Pekhard places a neat ball into the corner of the net after he was picked out by Lee Frecklington. The first half looks like staying 1-0 until, on the stroke of half time, sloppy defending lets in Chesterfield's Chris Kinsberry, a rash challenge from Gareth McKeown can mean only one thing, a penalty. Whilst Chesterfield sort out the penalty Paul Mayo decides to kick Guy Bates , the ref sees red and Mayo is off, his second dismissal of the campaign. Fergus Tiernan puts the penalty away and both sides head into half time with 1 goal each.
With Lincoln playing a man short the match is only really going to end one way, and Gareth Sproule scores on 66 minutes to finish off Lincoln's threat.
****
Post match rambling time. Paul Mayo's dismissal means at least a one match ban, and the FA are meeting to discuss his violent conduct. At the moment the leaves me without a left back for 2-3 games. I will challenge the ban, more in hope than expectation though. Gareth McKeown had an appalling game, he was directly responsible for both Chesterfield goals and looks certain to be playing in the reserves next weekend. The positive aspects are Lee Frecklington marking his return to the team with an assist and a solid performance, and Pekhard's well taken goal means the order for cows and banjos can be put on hold for now.

retired_firoozeh

Sat 20 October 07 PM

Lincoln v Bristol City
Coca Cola League 1

Home advantage and poor form from Bristol meant that we went into this match as firm favourites. Lee Beevers filled in at left back to cover Paul Mayo's suspension, the best of several unhappy options. We also started the match with 3 homegrown players for the first time. Owain Warlow, Lee Frecklington and Tom Wilkinson all started in midfield, and Andrew Toyne made it to the bench.
The match itself had an unexpected result, although we were expected to win few realised the margin. Tomas Pekhard scored twice in the first half, from a Wilkinson corner and an excellent through ball from captain Michael Gault, to send us into half time 2 up and cruising. The second half saw Dean Morgan dismissed for the visitors following a childish kick on Colin Cryan, and the Imps didn't look back. Pekhard secured a fine hattrick after nodding in a Jon Parkin cross before grabbing a fourth goal in the 84th minute. The match also saw a debut for Andrew Toyne as a 66th minute substitute for Michael Gault.

****

Post match thing are looking healthy for the Imps. We are sat in fifth position with 26 points from 15 games, more than halfway to the expected safety total. I was also pleased with the team performance, especially the home grown players. Owain Warlow gained an impressive 8 for his neat passing, and Tom Wilkinson put in another hard running performance on the right flank.

retired_firoozeh

Sat 27th October 07

Southend v Lincoln
Coca Cola League 1

We head into this game against recently relegated Southend, who are occupying 2nd place, as clear underdogs. Nobody expects us to gain anything from this tricky tie, all I want is a decent performance, and maybe a point and a clean sheet. The line up remains unchanged from last week's 4-0 win, Paul Mayo will miss another two games after the FA committee decided his punishment should be more severe.
The first half had very little to recommend itself to the neutral viewer, once again the Imp's defence shut up shop and prevented any breakthrough by Southend. At the other end an early knock on Tomas Pekhart means he is playing below his best and he struggles to make the half time whistle.
Half time sees Pekhart replaced by fellow loanee Andrew Carroll who wastes no time getting involved in an attack. Although the attack breaks down we gain a corner, and Nat Brown of all people pops up to head home from just inside the area. The rest of the second half follows the same pattern as the first half, despite their best efforts Southend are unable to make any real headway against a determined defensive line, in fact Marriott only has to touch the ball twice, both times retrieving a loose ball into the box. Full time whistle, and it's a confident victory for Lincoln.

Full Time
Southend 0 - Lincoln 1 Nat Brown (46)

retired_firoozeh

Thursday 1st November

Another month over, and somehow Lincoln are still sat in the playoff places. In fact 6 teams are on 27 points, seperated only by goal difference. Early leaders Millwall still top the table, but the biggest surprises are newly promoted Hartlepool and Lincoln in 2nd and 3rd place respectively. The recent run of good form has certainly brought more paying customers to Sincil Bank, but how many will carry on coming when performances drop. The talk in the city is all about the playoffs, even at this early stage, but I think deep down the regular fans and even the board know that this level of performance cannot be maintained all season. If I was to be honest, I think this season's performance will have a negative impact next year, raising hopes and putting too much pressure on the team.

In happier news it's a double bonus for loanee Tomas Pekhart, who is nominated as 2nd place 'Young Player of the Month' and also 2nd place for Goal of the Month.

The FA Cup first round should be a nice easy home tie against Conference North side Lancaster who are 9th in their league. All in all another promising month with much hope for survival this year.

The league table on the 1st November: http://img307.imageshack.us/img307/2...lenov07lp7.jpg

retired_firoozeh

Sat 3rd November 07 PM

Bradford v Lincoln
Coca Cola League 1

Todays visit to struggling Bradford sees Lincoln favourites to take all three points for the third game in a row. Once again the Lincoln lineup remains unchanged. The match kicks off, and the first half is a very even affair, neither side is able to gain the upper hand. A solid, if uninspiring effort sees both sides head into the break with nothing. I felt an encouraging word would keep morale up for what should be a tricky second half.
A dull second half means the game looks like heading for a 0-0 draw, until the last 2 minutes see some excitement. A Lincoln corner is cleared, but Tomas Pekhart is felled as he chases the loose ball, the ref shows no hesitation and awards a penalty despite Bradford protests. Pekhart steps up to take the kick himself, and easily converts to send the Imps ahead with just 2 minutes left! The 90th minute sees another piece of excitement. Lincoln gain a throw in on the halfway line, Owain Warlow and John Curtiss are jostling for position when it turns ugly, and Curtiss pushes Warlow over. Once again the ref shows no hesitation and Curtiss is shown a straight red! The post match analysis sees Tom Wilkinson awarded his first ever Man of the Match award.

Full Time
Bradford 0 John Curtiss OFF (90) - Lincoln 1 Pekhart (89 Pen)

****

Other results in the league see Lincoln up 2nd place. Although the people of Lincoln are ecstatic with the team's performances, cracks are starting to show within the team. Lee Frecklington has started to feel the pressure of public expectation and has lost some of his confidence. Pekhart's penalty means his tally has increased to 6 goals in 5 appearances. Many people within the game are at a loss to explain how Lincoln are performong so far above expectations, and many are predicting a catastrophic loss of form is just around the corner. They could just be right, although Parkin has been performing well he is more of a target man than a goal scorer, and Pekhart only has 6 weeks left on his loan.

retired_firoozeh

Sat 10 November 2007

Lincoln v Lancaster
FA Cup 1st Round

Ahead of this match several changes were made to the starting line up. Jeff Hughes and Stuart Green return from injury and are straight into the side. Andy Toyne starts for the first time in his career, and Gary Birch starts his 5th game of the season. John Ruddy replaces Alan Marriott in goal.
We went into this game as clear favourites, and this seemed to have affected the players attitudes. With a few exceptions they just went through the motions for much of the first half. The exceptions came from youngsters Owain Warlow and Tom Wilkinson, and striker Gary Birch looking to regain a first team place. The scoring starts early, when Tom Wilkinson scores his first ever goal for Lincoln in the 9th minute when he turned in a cross from Owain Warlow with a spectacular diving header. Nine minutes later and Gary Birch converts another cross from Warlow to put us 2-0 up and cruising. Just before half time sloppy defending sees Will Kirby pull one back for the visitors.
Despite my disappointment in the first half efforts the boys come out fighting. Warlow and Tom Wilkinson link up again to make it 3-1. Just 3 minutes later Jon Parkin scores from a Tom Wilkinson cross to make it 4-1 and leave no way back for Lancaster. Lincoln are through to the 2nd round.

Full Time
Lincoln City 4 Tom Wilkinson (9,48) Gary Birch (18) Jon Parkin (51) - LAncaster 1 Will Kirby (43)
Man of the Match: Owain Warlow (3 assists)

retired_firoozeh

Sat 17th November 07

Lincoln City v Nottingham Forest
Coca Cola League 1

Another game that promises to be tricky as Nottingham Forest make the short journey to face Lincoln. Going into this match Forest manager Ian McParland seems to know something I don't when he identifies Gary Birch as a major threat to his side :eek:, despite the fact Birch has only started 6 games and scored 1 goal against Lancaster. It's another change to the lineup as the usual league side returns. The exception is that with Tomas Pekhart away with the Czech U21 side Gary Birch starts after the media comments during the week. Else where several players return from injuries and suspension meaning they have to be reintegrated in the team. Kris Taylor and Stuart Green make the bench.

When the match finally kicks off it becomes apparant that contrary to the pre match hype Forest are nowhere near challenging for the game, they are under the cosh from the start and are lucky not to be 3 down by half time. The only things preventing a disaster for Forest are keeper Paul Smith, and the traditional form of the Lincoln strikers who seem to think they are playing rugby. The match looks like heading to a no-score draw until Forest rattle the crossbar and hit the post in succession before the ball is cleared by Colin Cryan. Paul Smith remains in fine form for Forest, denying several more efforts right up until the 93rd minute, pushing away a shot only for Gary Birch to pounce on the rebound and put the ball into an empty net with the last kick of the game. It looks like Ian McParland DID know something I didn't.

Full Time
Lincoln City 1 Gary Birch (90+3) - Nottingham Forest 0

****
I'm still at a loss to explain this run of form we're in at the moment. Maybe everyone expected us to just roll over and die in every game? I have to admit I am really impressed with the form of the 6 defensive players who have really handled the step up. The continued buzz around Lincoln is starting to take it's toll though. Tom Wilkinson has started to feel under pressure to perform after a meeting with several fans following the game. Gary Birch's goal shows the form of my strikers, right now he is joint third scorer for the Imps with 2 goals :eek:.
Fan theories for the run of form range from sabotaged underpants in the away changing rooms to a reverse Gypsy curse. Stay tuned for next weekends long trip to bottom placed Yeovil.

retired_firoozeh

Saturday 24th November 2007

[b]Yeovil v Lincoln[/i]
Coca COla League 1

It's a long trip south for the Imps who are facing off against a Yeovil side who have won just 4 of their games to date.
Gary Birch starts again for the visitors in the absence of Tomas Pekhart who is still away on U21 duty. Jeff Hughes is also out of the side after recent international commitments. Stuart Green and Kris Taylor both make the bench and are expected to make second half appearances.

The match starts with Yeovil favouring a defensive set up, despite this thay have the best of the early exchanges. It takes just 13 minutes for them to gain the upper hand. Owain Warlow commits a clear foul in the area, and Yeovil are awarded a penalty. David Graham steps up and coolly converts the kick. Yeovil are unlucky not to gain another goal when a schoolboy error from Colin Cryan lets Wayne Gray in behind the defence, and only ALan Marriott's quick reactions prevent a goal. The second goal is not long in coming though, Wayne Gray again found himself in space and headed home a pinpoint cross in the 26th minute. 5 minutes later we managed a reply, Tom Wilkinson causing havoc with a ball into the Yeovil box, and Owain Warlow places the ball in the bottom corner to put us back in the game. The 45 minute saw Yeovil regain their 2 goal cushion as Wayne Gray scored with another header to leave us trailing as we entered the break.

Half time saw a change, as Colin Cryan was injured and unable to continue Andy Toyne came on and we changed to 3 at the back, hoping the extra man in midfield would pay off. Our pressure paid off in the 54th minute, Jon Parkin beat the last man, and with just the keeper to beat he crossed the ball to Gary Birch with the goal at his mercy. The fightback continues to gain momentum and in the 81st minute Gary Birch grabs his second goal of the afternoon.

Full Time
Yeovil 3 David Graham (pen 13), Wayne Gray (26, 45) - Lincoln 3 Owain Warlow (31), Gary Birch (54, 81)
Man of the Match: Gary Birch (Lincoln)

****
Another post match, and another good performance, this time coming from 2 behind. Gary Birch has now scored 4 goals in 3 starts and is causing a difficult decision ahead of Tomas Pekhart's return.
The next 2 matches are a cup and league double header against Blackpool, away in the cup first then the league match at Sincil Bank a few days later.