Title favourites heading in opposite directions

By Nathan Jackson
November 24 2005

Northampton and Lincoln were the two favourites for promotion at the beginning of the season, however things have changed. Whilst City have struggled, Northampton have been pushing for a 3rd playoff spot in a row and currently sit in the final playoff spot, something City would die for at the minute

It was about time that Keith started seeing how crap we are, last week's defeat at Cheltenham was quite frankly, an embarrasement and the offloading of the less-abile members of the squad, has already began with Francis Green, Omari Coleman and Peter Folkes all be shipped out via one method of another. However, Saturday is all about trying get 3 points and if Keith give them the bollocking that they deserved, then City fans might actually see the Imps push Northampton all the way.

The game kicks off at 1pm but City's glory supporting contingent has decided to stay at home this year as with only 2 wins in 14, only 450 or so tickets have been sold for the away end, meaning that for the first time since they returned to this division, City won't be filling their away end, how fickle Lincoln fans can be.

 

Beevers is suspended so will definatly not take any part in this game. Many believe that McAuley will cover his right hand side of defence position with Mayo, Morgan and McCombe comprising the rest of the attack. Dean Keates returns from suspension and will more than likely start the match. Cryan is believed to still be out injured. Loanee signing Richard Logan should keep his place in the first team where he will more than likely be partnered by Birch.

Who I think will start (Right to left)

Marriott

McAuley    Morgan     McCombe     Mayo

Brown  Kerr  Keates

Logan   Asamoah     Birch

 

Northampton and the Imps were the two favourites for the league 2 title at the beginning of the season and whereas the Imps have struggled, Northampton are mounting their usual promotion push. The two teams met on the first day of the season and the game ended 1-1 despite Northampton dominating the game. 4 days later and Northampton's first home game resulted in a 2-1 defeat to Conference Champions Barnet. A 0-0 draw at home to Wrexham was followed by a 1-1 draw at Shrewsbury.

The Carling Cup gave them their first win of the season, in a night full of shocks, their 3-0 win against Championship side QPR went largely unnoticed compared to Cheltenham, Lincoln and Barnet all pulling off marvelous results. A trip to Carlisle resulted in a professional performance as the Cobblers came away with a 1-0 win. For the only time this season, Northampton made it 2 league wins on the trot when they beat Boston 3-2 on Bank Holiday Monday. This was followed with an excellent 1-1 draw at still unbeaten Wycombe before they could only draw 1-1 at home with lowly Bury a few days later.

For the 2nd time in 3 years, they scored 4 goals at Macclesfield in the battle of last year's playoff semi-final losers, Macclesfield did get a consolation goal but even that was undeserved as Northampton ran out worthy winners. The reward for beating QPR, was a trip to championship side Norwich, the Cobblers played well but the Canary's general superiority saw them win 2-0. A second home defeat of the season followed as Cheltenham won 2-1 at Sixfields. However, the eagerly antipated derby against Rushden and Diamonds saw the Cobblers easily beat Rushden after 2 goals in the last 10 minutes gave Colin Calderwood's side a 3-1 victory.

The goals seemed to dry up for a time as they drew 0-0 both at home to Darlington and away at Bristol Rovers, however, yet another Friday night game saw them beat Oxford 1-0. Then came 2 games that highlighted Northampton's problem over the last 2 years. Notts County visited Sixfields in the LDV 1st Round and the men from Sixfields trounced them 5-2, however 4 days later, Northampton made the trip to Stockport and were beaten 4-2 themselves, not the sort of thing you really want to be doing if you're aiming for promotion.

Another 0-0 draw followed, this time at home to Grimsby before they become the first League 2 side to beat Wycombe this season, albeit in a cup tie when they won 3-1 at the Causeway Stadium. Yet another 0-0 draw followed, this time against Chester City, however, last Saturday saw them thump Bristol Rovers 4-0 at Sixfields. Northampton's last outing was on Wednesday night when they travelled to Colchester for the 2nd Round of the LDV and took the League 1 side to extra time, however, Colchester eventually won the tie 3-2.