By Nathan Jackson
March 17 2007

Lincoln City beat Barnet by a 1-0 scoreline knowing that they should have easily converted at least one of the many chances. Frecklington scored City's winner just after half time, and with other results going majoritively our way, the automatic promotion race is well and truly on.

The visitors kicked off the game but it was the Imps who almost took a lead when N’Guessan hit Kerr’s free kick wide of the target. The early stages were dominated by the Imps but it was proving hard to get shots in because of the absence of our two best strikers. It was the 12^th minute though until the next best chance for the Imps, after Barnet failed to create anything from their corner, the Imps broke forward quickly before Amoo sent a cross deep into the box. Ross Flitney –who I still think is the worst goalkeeper playing professional football- came to gather the ball, however he spilt it and Nat Brown almost poached a goal but was denied by a quick recovery from Flitney.

 

Frecklington’s dangerous in-swinger from a corner saw Moses head goalwards, but he was denied his first goal since the opening day by a clearance off the line by Adam Gross. N’Guessan missed another easy chance when he headed over in front of an open goal. The hard working Mendes almost scored a debut goal, but Flitney actually managed to do something right and saved his shot.

 

The game went a bit quiet after this with few chances coming for either side before the break and the sides went in a 0-0, this despite the home side’s dominance.

 

The visitors came out for the second half strongly and should have scored with 2 minutes of the restart, only a Nicky Eaden block taking the ball just wide of the target from Yakubu’s shot. Played immediately switched down the other end with some patient play, it ended in Lee Frecklington picking up the ball about 25 yards out, and running through 2 defenders before smashing a left footed effort into the top right hand corner of the net. It was the youngster’s first goal since the trip to Bury nearly 2 months ago.

 

City now seemed highly energised and Mendes almost headed in from a cross as City looked like they would score an immediate second. City were fortunate however to still be in the lead after a defensive mistake saw Oliver Allen try to lift the ball over Marriott, and only a fine pushover from the experienced keeper stopped Barnet equalising.

 

Barnet started coming more into the game as Jason Puncheon fired over the bar from the edge of the box. Bailey replaced Cogan for Barnet. Puncheon wasted another good chance soon afterwards as his close range effort was easily saved by Marriott. Beevers replaced Hughes for City. Joe Devera was booked for fouling the impressive Green.

 

Mayo replaced Frecklington whilst Gross replaced Graham for the visitors. City then proceeded to waste several chances. Nat Brown was the first to do so as he blazed over from 6 yards out. Weir-Daley was the next guilty party as his header went over the net despite being completely unmarked just a few yards from goal.

 

A mix up between Amoo and Mayo almost lead to an equaliser as Birchall tried to chip Marriott, but thankfully the ball went just wide of the target and City had secured their first home win in 2 months. It was even better considering that only one other side in the Top 7 won.