By Nathan Jackson
April 18 2005

Lincoln City will be guaranteed at least a playoff spot if they avoid defeat at Northampton after a 2-0 win over Macclesfield. The Cobblers are now the only side who can stop the Imps getting at least a playoff place after goals from Butcher and Green gave City a suprisingly easy win.

Macclesfield started the game well when ex-Imp Mark Bailey broke down the right before crossing it into Matthew Tipton who’s header went straight to Marriott. It was a great piece of nostalgia for City as Bailey had been doing that sort of thing in nearly 3 good years at Sincil Bank which ended last July.

Miscommunication between the linesman and the referee saw GTF fouled, the linesman flagged for a free kick but the referee waved advantage and the Macclesfield defence went into a little confused state allowing Asamoah to race forward before passing to Butcher, however, Ricky failed to trouble Steve Wilson by shooting straight at him.

Macclesfield secured the first corner but just like Lincoln’s corners over the last year or so, it came to nothing. Bailey and Tipton again combined with pretty much the same result when the latter headed well wide.

The game was pretty even although the visitors were having the slightly better edge of the chances available however Tipton’s finishing was a bit suspect as he headed over from a McIntyre free kick despite being unmarked. Parkin was the next to have a decent chance but one of the best strikers in the league (apparently), show straight at Marriott from close range

The next section of the game was a very tame 15 minutes with only a Bailey shot troubling either one of the keepers although City should have had a penalty when McIntyre handled inside the area. However, the aftermath of that decision saw Peter Gain’s casual approach free Yeo on the left. He passed to GTF along the goal line, the striker hit his shot against a defender which rebounded for Butcher who scored only his second goal of the season to put the Imps into the lead after 33 minutes.

It was 2-0 just minutes later, or at least it would have been if the linesman hadn’t put his flag up. Yeo was threaded through by Asamoah and Yeo, who had to run past a defender to get to the ball was ruled to be offside before smashing the ball into the net.

A curious moment then came. Asamoah was running at the Macclesfield defence before stumbling over a defenders leg, he managed to stay on his feet and was free of the defence and heading towards goal yet the referee gives a free kick because there was no advantage apparently, if you’re reading this Mr Referee, since when is running one on one with the goal keeper after being fouled not an advantage? The resultant free kick resulted in Macclesfield getting one for an apparently foul on a Macclesfield player that only the referee managed to see..

The officials came out for the second half thinking that despite the floodlights being on, the spotlight should still be on them. The first incident was when Yeo was given the ball to be flagged offside despite there being 5 players between Yeo and the goal and it was clearly one of the worst offside decisions seen in a while, no prizes for guessing the worst. Several Macclesfield free kicks later, including one taken about 20 yards in front of where the incident happened and the referee bringing the ball forward whilst taking 17 strides, Macclesfield almost took the lead. Parkin sent a very deep cross into Bailey who’s shot from point blank range went straight into Marriott’s chest and out for a corner which was wasted.

Green came on the in 61^st minute replacing Asamoah and the effect was almost immediate. I say also because he came on in the middle of a Macclesfield corner which saw McAuley and Parkin collide heads and requite lengthy treatment. City went on the attack. Yeo broke down the left and it was 4 on 1 against the keeper but instead decided to shoot himself rather than pass to one of the other players which would have been easier due to the defender closing down fast. However, Yeo’s shot was saved by Wilson before falling to Green who slotted home. One more thing to note, after Yeo’s shot, GTF started having a proper rant at him for not passing sooner which adds to rumours that the two are exactly the best of friends

Yeo had a great chance 10 minutes from time to make it 3-0, however, as usual, when it would have been easier to pass as Senior easily saved. Nothing major happened in the final 10 minutes or the 5 minutes added on time due to the head injuries to McAuley and Parkin.