Earlier in the season, City went to Edgar Street in what I predicted to be the only defeat we would suffer in the month of August, 90odd minutes later and City had put in a dominating performance that was almost ruined by the annual City collapse in the final 10 minutes of the first away game. In what was easily Alan Marriott’s best display this season, Hereford did test City several times but it’s safe to say that City could have easily scored 5 or 6 goals that night.

It was arguably the result that set the season for the Imps, and is also arguably the most important result of the season. It was a game that emphasised City’s great form on the road at the beginning of the season, with City eventually winning 9 out of 10 away games that extended from last season. It seems almost ironic though that since then the away form has been very poor, whereas the home form has improved to 8 wins in 10 games, with just Shrewsbury and Darlington managing to get away from Sincil Bank without a defeat.

City have only two players definitely missing from the squad, with Forrester serving his third and final match out suspended. Lee Beevers is also suspended following a 5^th yellow card of the season against Torquay, it brings to an end his ever-present record so far this season. In place of Beevers, who has played left back in recent weeks, will more than likely be Paul Mayo.

Dany N’Guessan could also still be missing because of the injury gained in the game against Torquay. Other than those omissions, the squad will be almost certainly identical to the side that beat Walsall on Friday night.

However, if people think that Hereford are going to be a push over then you’d better think again. Unlike their fellow promotees Accrington, Hereford have made a decent start to their return to the League and are well clear of relegation. Had it not been for a little inconsistency then they would be challenging for the playoffs, however, the fact they’ve only record back-to-back League victories once.

They’ve recorded several impressive victories over current Top 7 sides Hartlepool, Swindon, Stockport, MK Dons, and Championship side Coventry. However the have also been some embarrassing defeats to sides they should have easily beaten, including Barnet, Mansfield, and Wrexham amongst others. They wil consider themselves unlucky not to have maintained a promotion fight all season long, but there’s still no shame in the season that they’ve had.

They have a fairly impressive squad, the most notable to Imps fans will be Alan Connell, he’s played 3 games against City in his career, scoring in the first 2 (for Bournemouth and Torquay) whilst having one disallowed against the Imps for Hereford earlier this season. Steve Guinan also has a tendency to score against the Imps. Phil Gulliver also played in the Bournemouth side that beat City in Cardiff almost 4 years ago.

City could potentially go top with a win, although we’d be hoping for the unlikely event of Macclesfield winning at Hartlepool, whilst also hoping that Stockport can beat Walsall at Edgeley Park. The lowest City would likely go with a defeat is 4^th, as 5^th placed MK Dons can catch up to City but have a goal difference of 5 to catch up on.