Clapham's free kick gets win for a better Sutton-free City
By Nathan Jackson
October 9 2010
Lincoln City's improvement since Chris Sutton left the club continued as Jamie Clapham's free kick secured victory for the Imps against Macclesfield. Moses Swaibu had given the Imps the lead before Hamza Bencherif scored an equaliser for Macc against his former side, all that before Jamie Clapham's excellent second half free kick.
City started well with O'Keefe headed a Hughton cross goalwards, only to see it saved by Veiga. Matt Hamshaw then had a chance down at the other end as his curling effort was saved by Anyon. Hutchinson appeared injured followed a corner but was ok to continue. It was a high tempo start with the Imps rocing several corners.
O'Keefe had a downward header from a corner cleared off of the line by Daniel, that before Ross Draper hit the ball over from the edge of the box down at the other end. The game slowed slightly before a Hutchinson found himself one-on-one in the 33rd minute, he failed to get his shot on target and it was closer to the corner flag than the goal.
Tremarco blocked a Carayol effort before Facey's header from a corner failed to reach the goal. It didn't take long though for the Imps to score their first goal since September 11th. Watts flicked on a Jarrett free kick and although it appeared to be going in anyway, Swaibu made sure to secore just his second goal for the club since joining last February. That would be the final action of the first half.
City started the second half well and spent the early parts on the attack, but there were fears that Jarrett had be seriously injured after a heavy challenge from Nsiala. Whilst Jarrett was off of the pitch, a free kick was headed down in the area by Nat Brown and Hamza Bencherif proded the loose ball into the net, the second time he's scored at Sincil Bank, once for the Imps and now against. It was Macclesfield's first realistic chance on goal in the game.
Tremarco fouled Carayol minutes later and gained a yellow card for his troubles. The free kick was played in and Swaibu almost scored again as he looping header went over Veiga, only for the keeper to get a last-ditch glove to it. Macclesfield then almost grabbed a winner out of the blue as a ball was played in and Sinclair's tried an acrobatic shot, only to fail to connect with the ball.
Bencherif was lived as he was adjudged to have handballs a throughball to Facey, he gained a booking for his troubles and then had to watch as Jamie Clapham brilliantly curled the effort into the top corner of the net. It is the first time since beating Bournemouth 2-1 in April that the Imps have scored more than once in a match.
Neither side really threatened again but there was one more noteworthy incident. Sam Turner replaced Albert Jarrett to make his debut for the Imps, the first youth player to make a first team appearance since a very brief appearance from Lee Bennett at Bradford last season.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
SW fans were awesome. No question. It just gets better and better behind that goal!!
I know Nathan has spoken about how successful teams don't need fans to be chanting all the match, but when fans feel positive, Sincil Bank is a different place.Just feels so good!