And this lot were supposed to be the

By Nathan Jackson
April 3 2005

Now, out of the 6 remaining games, all Imps fans were saying that the game against Notts County would be the easiest out of the lot, after 2,553 Imps fans saw City lose 1-0 today, it really makes you worry what the other 5 games are going to be like against much harder teams.

County kicked the game off on a very sunny afternoon shooting towards the Kop Stand which held an impressive 2552 Imps fans who had been in fine voice before the game. The opening stages however proved less exciting than the Imps fans. County had the first decent oppurtunity of the game when Stefan Oakes sent a long range effort straight into Marriott's arms. County soon gained a corner but it was easily cleared by a resolute (hoofing) Imps defence.

It was a slow game that wasn't really living up to the "build up." GTF however almost gave the Imps an advantage when after a Yeo ball saw the striker released on the left but his chip hit the bar and Deeney caught it. Yeo was then given a glorious oppurtunity to put the Imps 1 up when he was set free but his shot from the one on one presented to him was blocked by Deeney and the goal bound shot trickled wide.

City won their first goal of the game midway through the half but Sandwith's corner was volleyed well over by Gareth McAuley. Notts County were using slightly unsporting tactics, especially when it came to Marriott kicking the ball out, they might as well have just been jumping on him because they were leaving him no space at all for Marriott to kick the ball out with. However, a few yellow cards later and they decided against the idea although Marriott's speed at taking the kicks didn't get any quicker.

The main talking point of the game came just minutes before half time when, after failing to get the ball clear, Paul Morgan was adjudged, harshly to have pushed veteran County striker Glyn Hurst. Morgan was booked for his protests. Notts County captain, Julien Baudet stepped up and stroked the ball past Marriott who has yet to save a penalty this season (obviously opposition penalty takers have noticed he only ever goes one way).

Green was brought off at half time and replaced by Asamoah and the impact was almost immediate when the Ghanaian strike broke through the county defence only to see Yeo head his cross over the bar. Oakes was yellow carded in the 47th minute when his incredibly late challenge on Asamoah came long after the ball had gone. Oake obviously wasn't paying attention to the yellow card being waved in his face because just minutes later, he did the exact same thing to GTF and was subsquently sent off. However, all those disillusioned into thinking City would start taking control like they did against Rushden should have thought again.

County got a corner but Gill's delivery was headed over by goalscorer Baudet. Then came arguably an incident more controversial than the penalty. Yeo raced clear and was tripped by a defender inside the area (when I say trip, I mean it like a log hitting someone on a horse) and yet no penalty and somehow it was offside despite Yeo being 3 yards from being offside when the ball was played.....bloody football.

Sandwith came close to levelling the game in the 67th when his free kick was bending in before Deeney produced a fabulous save. County, despite being a man down were bossing the game, frustrating City with 9 men behind the ball although the Imps weren't doing much to help their cause. Infact, I'm going to spend a minute or so on this. Lincoln's players do seem to have a problem when it comes to loose balls, in other words, watching the ball waiting for someone else to get it before the opposition come in and steal it. City also don't jump for headers allowing players, who, are in some cases more than 12 inches smaller than them to win the ball in the air.

Coutny should have made it 2-0 but a free kick was well saved from Marriott. Ollie Ryan made an entrance in the 82nd minute replacing Sandwith, yep, good idea Keith, substitute the only player who's putting balls into the box. It's save to say the "tactical" change didn't work and City's monthly crap-a-thon came, yet again at the end of the month.