By Nathan Jackson
February 14 2007

Lincoln City will go into Friday's game at Walsall hoping to avenge the Saddler's last minute equaliser back in August. With the Sky cameras watching both clubs for the second time in 6 weeks, the Imps will aim to move within 2 points of their hosts ahead of several very winnable games.

Live on Sky Sports 2 : Friday 16th February 2007 : 7.45 k/o

One week you’re going absolutely mental after scoring 2 goals in added on time to gain a rather undeserved victory away from home, and the next you’re cursing your luck as you let a two goal lead slip because of a rather undeserved last minute equaliser, football’s a funny old game really isn’t it. However, that was the situation when City faced Walsall at home earlier this season, but it hardly comes as a surprise that Lincoln would throw away a 2 goal lead given recent history.

 

The game on the 3^rd weekend of the current season was dominated by the Imps, and City were well worth their 2 goal lead early on, however the failure to extend the lead proved costly as Walsall scored a very soft goal, before then finding the net with mere seconds left on the clock. It’s the sort of situation that makes you wonder what would have happened if that goal hadn’t gone in, would City be top, and would Walsall have had the relatively good season that they’ve had so far.

 

Friday night’s game against Walsall starts a series of 4 games in 15 days that will more than likely shape the Imps’ season. With City expected to beat  Hereford United, Accrington Stanley, and Mansfield Town, a win against Richard Money’s Walsall would give City great incentive to gain a lot of points in the next few weeks as a lot of teams around City are all starting to play each other.

 

A defeat could also see the end of Walsall’s reign at the top, a recent lack of form that has seen just 4 wins in 12 games has seen Walsall’s once huge lead, turn into a title race involving 5 clubs. The key to Walsall staying top after this weekend could be their huge goal difference, and the only team that could catch the Saddlers this weekend are 9 goals inferior to Walsall.

 

City go into the game at the Bescot with Jamie Forrester serving the second of a three match ban. He is the only player who will definitely not be playing, although the condition of Dany N’Guessan is also unknown after limping off just 10 minutes after coming on an as a sub against Torquay. Given this, it is extremely likely that Spencer Weir-Daley will partner Mark Stallard up front.

 

It is highly unlikely that the rest of the squad will be changed, meaning Marriott in goal with Beevers, Morgan, Brown, and Eaden playing directly in front of him. Kerr, Frecklington, and Amoo in midfield, with the afformentioned pair up front.

 

As for Walsall, without knowing about their injuries or suspensions, it is likely they will play the same side that lost 3-1 to Hartlepool last week. It is a scenario which has featured over recent weeks as despite the poor form, Richard Money to his credit has stuck to pretty much the same players that for a long time looked like they were going to win the League by a country mile.

 

Walsall have proved to be difficult to beat all season, and any team that has only lost 4 games at this stage, does really deserve to finish in the automatic positions but as we saw with Wycombe last year, and Oxford a few years back, football has a way of kicking you in the teeth after a fantastic opening 2/3 of the season.

The only Walsall player to have spent time with City is of course Dean Keates. The diminutive midfielder spent 7 months at Sincil Bank before personal reasons saw him leave by mutual termination, and subsequently sign for Walsall within 3 hours of leaving Sincil Bank. He however isn’t Walsall’s best player (arguably) as many rate Martin Butler as the best striker in League 2.

 

He is just one of several talented players at the Bescot though as players such as Chris Westwood, Clayton Ince, and Bertrand Bossu, amongst others, have all won promotion in recent years with other clubs.