If the Imps want to gain promotion, we will have to start matching our away form at home. The 6 week break from home games around Christmas seems to have unnevered the Imps home performances after going from 7 wins in a row to only 1 win in 5 games at home and even that wasn't exactly a rousing performance.
Prior to the game, Keith Alexander was welcomed by a crowd that was nearing the 7,000 mark at the time and was given a standing ovation by both sets of fans which was greatly recieved from the Imps manager. That however, was one of the very few positives to come out of an otherwise dreary afternoon.
The Imps got the game underway but it was Boston who took the early advantage. A hefty challenge gave Boston a free kick that was around 30 yards out and up stepped Neil Redfearn. The ball flew straight into the net and seemed to take Marriott by suprise, maybe it was the sun in his eyes, maybe he wasn't antipating a shot but there was no denying it was a fantastically struck free-kick that was even clapped by a number of City supporters.
That sprung the Imps into action as within a minute, Francis Green broke one on one with Bastock and ran around him with the ball but in doing so, ended up kicking the ball too hard and having to take a shot from an angle that no-one would score more that 1 in 10 tries and that includes people like Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy.
Minutes later, the Imps had a good oppurtunity to draw level as obstruction was called on Green and the Imps had an indirect free kick about 8 yards out. However, after Sedge tapped it to Bailey, his shot hit the wall and trickled to Gain who was 3 or 4 yards out but tried to shoot towards the far post only to see the ball sail out for a goal kick.
The Imps were throwing everything at Boston but it could have been a major blow the Imps seconds later. Redfearn ran in the box but hit the ball out of play after slightly slipping. Futcher at the same time had his leg stuck out for to attempt a tackle which Redfearn fell over. Boston fans went into raptures as they thought Boston had a penalty but the Imps just laughed at them because it was giving as a goal kick. The reason being that the ball was out of play when Redfearn was "fouled".
With only 5 minutes left of the 1st half, the Imps gained a corner which was floated in by Sedgemore and then came in Marcus Richardson how powered in a header from a yard or so out. That was the only good thing however that Marcus did that afternoon as fans are starting to be thankful that we didn't have to pay a fee for him.
2ND HALF
In the 2nd half, City gained 2 corners very quickly and Bastock seemed to want to score an own goal as both times, he flapped at the cross and it had to be cleared off the line.
Yeo was introducted and almost immediatly City scored from yet another corner. The corner went straight to Bastock who oddly let it go between his hands and was yet again cleared off the line.
Yeo didn't manage a shot until half an hour after he came on and even that was fluffed but looked like it was heading in as Bastock was flopping around like a seal but managed to get behind the ball just intime.
Summary
Overall, just your typical derby and a draw was probably fair as neither side seemed worthy of winning it. Boston weren't very good but made their 1 decent chance count whereas City only made one of their manage chances count.
How can a team go from being so good at home before a spell of 6 weeks without a home game to being, quite frankly, bloody awful? City now find themselves out of the playoff spots and 2 points behind 7th placed Torquay although they are 6 points ahead of 9th place Swansea who lost yet again.
PLAYER RATINGS
Marriott - 7 - Had a very quiet afternoon but had very little chance against such an excellent free kick.
Bloomer - 6 - I think that most fans didn't even notice he was playing says it all.
Morgan - 8 - Made some vital tackles and was a usual rock at the back.
Futcher - 6 - Yet another game without a goal for the giant but was his typical defensvie rock.
Weaver - 5 - A quiet day for "the horse"
Bailey - 8 - It's good thing Bailey isn't injured as well otherwise we'd be screwed.
Gain - 7 - Won some vital balls in the middle of the park and put good crosses in.
Sedgemore - 8 - This guy's corners are class and he was well worthy of a starting place.
Fletcher - 6 - An usually quiet game for the popular striker.
Green - 8 - Yet another great performance, deserved a goal for his efforts.
Richardson - 4 - Another poor performance which even a vital goal couldn't save.
Yeo - 4 - Was on for about 35 minutes but didn't really get into the game.
NEXT GAME : SCUNTHORPE UNITED AT SINCIL BANK
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