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Threeasy does it
By Nathan Jackson November 21 2004
The Imps brushed aside Darlington to finally take their place in the playoff places. 3-0 doesn't even become to reflect the Imps' dominance on the game and despite what the Darlo manager thought afterwards, his team were A LOT more direct that the Brazilian-esque passing of the Imps.

Darlington kicked off and the ball fell to Neil Wainright who automatically ran at goal. His run was thwarted by Imps captain, Paul Morgan. The ball was fed through to Butcher who ran one on one with the keeper however, despite good work from Butcher, his final shot went straight at the keeper and the popular midfielder was still, at this point, looking for his first goal of the season.

The game slowed down a bit and the next bit of action was 8 minutes later when Morgan conceeded a free kick which Gain had to deal with by blocking Liddle's shot. Another 10 or so minutes passed before the next decent chance for either side really came along. Armstrong mistimed a kick allowing Marcus Richardson to steal the ball and run towards goal unchallenged, however, the shot dribbled just past the post and out for a goal kick.

It was all City at this point and they were keeping the crowd of around 3,400 home fans (in a 27,500 capacity stadium) very quiet indeed with only a few random beats on the drum creating atmosphere from their end. Excellent passing play commenced on the edge of the area when Gain got the ball before dribbling around a few players, he passed to Yeo who quickly passed back, Gain shot and it was tipped onto the post by the keeper. The ball looked as though the bounce would take it into the net but it went out for a goal kick.

A poor GTF corner went straight back out and hit the side netting, the goal kick was immediatly seen returning back to the keeper when Richardson ran with the ball and got into the area before defender, Matt Clarke started climbing all over him, he quite literally gave him a piggy back, Richardson tried to get a shot away but collapsed under the over friendly Clarke but no penalty for the Imps.

City pressed yet again just minutes later, Morgan passed it out wide to Gainy who was being put under pressure but the skillful midfielder back-heeled to McAuley who sent a deep ball into the box which Richardson missed but there was Yeo, unmarked with no defender in sight and he took the shot first time and despite appearing to totally miskick it, the ball went straight (or rather curved) into the net to give the Imps a 1-0 lead.

Darlington were proving poor opposition and how this team were above City before the start of the day is a total miracle if they've played like this all season. Yeo was at it again just minutes later when he volleyed GTF's crossed towards goal and only a very acrobatic save from the keeper prevented it from becoming 2-0, for the time being at least.

In added time before half time, Marcus was released forward with Yeo in a 2 on 1 situation and despite taking his time, managed to smash the ball home for 2-0 to the Imps and for his 2nd league goal in as many games.

City could have scored within mere seconds of the 2nd half when GTF took the ball straight into the Darlo defence and ran past the last defender before a last ditch tackle prevented a like goal just 5 seconds after the re-start.

City then gained a free kick on the edge of the area but GTF's low curling shot was well saved. I know you're thinking this game seems a little one-sided from how I'm writing it but this is honestly how one-sided it is. Darlo failed to have a single shot on target all game and the few chances they did create were quickly wasted.

Ollie Ryan then came on for Simon Yeo to mark his Football League debut whilst still a teenager. City's domination of the game continued and McAuley sent in a cross and GTF was fouled on the edge of the area but the striker's freekick went wide.

Butcher came close (ish) to making it 3-0 when his thunderous shot went just over the bar from 25 yards out. However, Butcher would get luckier minutes later. GTF provided the through ball for the unchallenged Butcher (yes, their defending really was that bad) who ran to the edge of the area where the onrushing keeper was going to meet him but Butcher produced a very calm and collected finish to make it 3-0 to the Imps.

The final 20 minutes were a fore-gone conclusion with Darlo knowing they were beaten and the Imps looking to not risk an injury or anything like that. The game finished 3-0 and the Imps are finally in the playoff positions but next week, sees us face the ever impressive, Yeovil Town at Sincil Bank.

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