Clinical City battle to win against Hereford

Despite not being at their best, City beat a Hereford side after three very different, but three very excellent goals. Somma opened the scoring with a goal of the season candidate, only to see it bettered by Saunders before both combined for the third in from of a season high of 6,012 at Sincil Bank.

A festival atmosphere greeted the Imps and Hereford due to the World Cup being in the city. However, that was shadowed by a moving and beautiful tribute to Keith before kick off that contained silence, a song and clapping before the game eventually kicked off.

Neither side settled quickly and it took 11 minutes for the first realistic chance of the game came. Hereford had been on top up until this point but Kerr played a ball through to Somma and the striker showed great control to get it beyond the defence before smashing it in from the edge of the area with his left foot. At this point it was arguably the best goal scored by the Imps this season, but that wouldn't last long.

Hereford could have equalised as McCallum hit a shot at Burch before a corner that resulted was cleared off of the line by Hughton, although it did appear to be well over the line.

The agrievement felt by Hereford was made even more as Saunders picked up the ball in midfield. He remained unchallenged so tried his luck 35 yards out. The ball appeared to be going well over before late dipping saw it go in just below the crossbar. It was the furthest out that a City player has scored at Sincil Bank since a 40 yard effort by Peter Gain against Rushden in November 2002.

Lennon hit just wide soon after but City's poor defence popped up against as Pugh was easily able to round Swaibu and slot it past Burch, entending the run to nearly 5 months without a clean sheet. The teams went into the break at 2-1.

The Imps started the second half strongly with Somma hitting a lob wide. Hereford continued to do a good impression of City from earlier in the season, enjoying the vast majority of the possession but failing to actually get many goal. However, they were unfortunate not to equalise as Hereford had two chances blocked on the line within the space of about 5 seconds.

It appeared as though City were sitting back again before Somma ran into the box and supplied Saunders for his second goal of the game just before the 70 minute mark.

Infact, that was pretty much the last action of the game and City recorded a valuable win.