Andy who?

By Nathan Jackson
February 17 2005

City won away at local rivals Boston United 2-0 thanks to goals from Ritchie Hanlon and Simon Yeo. Paul Morgan also did himself a big favour playing in front of Northern Ireland Manager Lawrie Sanchez and keeping NI striker Andy Kirk quiet (the best striker in the league according to Boston fans)

The opening stages were kicked off by City. There were many free kicks in the opening minutes with the most dangerous being in the 8th minute when McCombe fouled Lee, Simon Rusk's delivery was easily cleared away. Boston could and probably should have taken the lead with 15 minutes gone when after good work from Thomas down the left, he set up Andy Kirk who smashed an 18 yard effort against the bar.  

City's first real chance came in the 25th minute when Franny Green ran at the Boston defence, he eventually fed Hanlon on the right who crossed in but ex-Imps defender Dean West headed it clear. City were starting to camp themselves in Boston's half. Yeo quickly gained an advantage when he broke through the Boston defence but the shot was well saved by Abbey. The resultant goal kick went to Green who shot straight at goal but his shot defelcted off West, Abbey made an excellent save to tip it over the crossbar however, the resultant corner was wasted.

Boston got back into the game and got a free kick in a dangerous position when Sandwith fouled Thomas. The ball was cross in by Holland but Gabrieli could only head over the bar. Boston suddenly started to have a good spell. Boston played a LOONNNGGG ball forward but his long range shot went wellw ide of Marriott's goal.

City suddenly broke, after breaking through from a Noble mistake, Hanlon took his time and shot from 30 yards out, it looped over Abbey and sent 2000+ Lincoln fans into delirium with his first goal for the club and what a goal it was. Boston fell apart and could hard manage to make 2 passes before losing posession and the first half came to a close.

A very controversial moment came just a few minutes into the second half, Thomas burst into the area and a challenge by Bloomer saw Thomas go to ground without Bloomer winning the ball, referee Andy D'urso blew his whistle but instead of pointing to the penalty spot which most people expected he showed Thomas a yellow card for diving. Boston had most of the early possession but Lincoln's defence stood firm and reduced Boston to only long range efforts.

Green could have made it 2-0 in the 57th minute when Abbey produced an excellent save and forced a corner. McCombe headed Sandwith's header wide but 3 minutes later saw Green have a shot which was saved by Abbey before Yeo pounced on the rebound but it went wide. However, Abbey stayed down and treatment for a cut which later required 43 stiches and 5 minutes passed before action resumed, it was a let off for boston who didn't have a reserve keeper on the bench.

Boston attacked in the 66th minute but Paul Ellender sent a low shot well wide. The resulting goal kick saw Yeo break through 1 on 1 with Abbey, he rounded the keeper and slotted away to make it 2-0 to City. He was subsquently booked for taunting Boston fans who had been less than pleasent about him. GTF almost made it 3 within a minute but his chip went just over the bar.

Very few incidents came about after this and City held on to record their 2nd win in a row at York Street and move to 5th in the table.