Lincoln City

Right at the end of my last post I wrote "Now after City's unexpected midweek victory at Barrow perhaps we'll sneak a win at home to Lincoln on Saturday." Now I definitely did not expect those words to come true! But it came to pass that City actually won two games back to back! However, meeting the most pessimistic Lincoln fan who asked for directions at Oldfield Park station did lift expectations slightly.

City started very quickly and I almost missed the first goal, I was walking around the Bath End and saw an attack build, Watkins hared towards goal, before he was felled, Jamie Cook actually put the ball in the net but the referee had awarded a penalty for the trip. Marc Canham stepped up and slotted home (oh how I wish he'd taken the penalties we missed earlier in the year), 1-0 within 2 minutes.

City won a freekick which M.Canham hit long Gethin headed the ball back towards goal and Marley Watkins executed an exquisite backheeled volley which flashed past Joe Anyon. 2-0 to City within 4 minutes, and as Tim, Hilly and a few other latecomers arrived they were incredulous as to the score.

Lincoln grew into the game, and Garner pulled off a few decent saves. Adam Connolly was playing like his old self and was terrier like in the tackle and caused the away defence some trouble. One thing of note was Lincoln were playing in their away strip as their red and white stripes would clash. Fair enough, so they should change, but the away strip was green and white hoops (Yeovile basically) how the hell that was allowed I do not know as it clashed and I'm sure some misplaced passes were due to seeing white and assuming it was a stripe.

Just before half time Lincoln had a sustained surge and Garner tipped a cross which was dropping in over the bar before pulling off another full stretch save. City held on and went in 2-0 at halftime, with Lincoln City abused by their own fans. As obviously a team as "mighty" as Lincoln City should be crushing little Bath City.

Lincoln brought on Danny Lloyd at halftime and he was a annoying little prick at leftwing, however, he did look good and is probably the classic player you love if you have him, hate if you don't. See Hogg, Lewis for an example!

Paul Stonehouse cleared a header off of the line from a Lincoln corner, and Andy Gallinagh hacked a few clearances and harried the Lincoln forwards well. The crowd were in good voice, as we urged the players on and heartily cheered their endeavour.

However, on 76 minutes, Danny Lloyd robbed Gallinagh on the edge of the area and fired the ball across goal passed Garners despairing dive and scored for Lincoln. He celebrated by kissing his forearm tattoo and crossing himself vigorously, something I haven't seen in a while.

Sean Canham should have scored after a superb reverse pass by Alex Russell split the defence and left Canham in acres of space, however, he drilled the ball straight into Anyons legs. Sean did have the ball in the net moments later though when Scotty Murray (on for an injured Marley Watkins) crossed and he headed home. However, the referee decided that Canham had impeded his marker and blew for a foul.

City held on, and a good deal of cheering was forthcoming as we celebrated our 5th win of the season, and the first at Twerton since January. I am looking forward to Gateshead on Tuesday even more now.