By Nathan Jackson
September 22 2005

City recieved victory in defeat last night after taking Fulham to the brink but they scored in the last minute making it 5-4. It was a return of the old Lincoln City and if we top a performance like that this season, then someone is going to be in for a massive thrashing.  

There are no words to describe just how proud I was of the team last night. The performance was simply amazing and if we play better than that this season, then someone is in for a hammering. To take Fulham, not only to extra time, but to come from 2 goals behind twice was simply amazing. 

Last night was a great night for the club, every single player in an Imps shirt, played like they were ready to die for the cause and not a single player put in a poor performance and few could argue that City deserved at least a penalty shoot out. However, it wasn't to be but there's an old saying that sometimes you taste victory in defeat and that can certainly be said about last night.

Fulham, although understrength, were pretty bad and if they play like that in the Premiership, then they will be relegated. It doesn't matter which team you are, no Premiership side should conceeded 4 goals and give away two 2 goals leads to a side 3 divisions below them.

On a final note, it was very pleasing to see several Fulham fans waiting outside the ground to give the Imps' fans a massive round of applause after the game had finished and we would like to say thank you for your sportsmanship.

"We created enough chances to win. They were hanging on at the end. It should have gone to penalties.

"The free-kick which led to the winner was harsh, but we're a League Two side so we're not going to get a decision.

"I was pleased we did ourselves justice. When you get at a Premiership side they don't want to know."

"It was a tense match as I always knew it would be.

"I thought we were outstanding in the first half, played some great football and created plenty of chances.

"They got a goal back and that changed the game. We could have caved in but we showed real character and had enough quality to win in the end."

Chris Coleman, manager, Fulham.

"It was a great game to watch- in a perverse sort of way. I couldn't believe how Lincoln wouldn't give up- they just kept plugging away, and if truth be told they were looking the better team in towards the end. If they carry on with that sort of determination, they'll definately get promoted.

As for us, well we looked excellent in the first half, with the only real questions being at the back. Green looked excellent going forward, but too often would get caught out of position. Leacock looked excellent in the air, kept his positioning well, and looked to be in constant communication with Goma. Batista looked weak it must be said. Poor distribution and flapped under pressure- but he's still very young, so not to worry. Cristanval started the game, suprisingly,
as a holding midfielder. before later moving back to CB.

The reason the scoreline went south was due to a few factors- Lincoln came out after the break determined to get back into the game- and the first 20 mins made me feel as if fI'd time travelled back to the mid 90's- it was excruciatingly bad, but they held on and didn't concede. Then on came the first substitution- Radz for Leacock. Seemed a sensible move- put Cristinval back at CB, and play with a flat back 4. We looked good again, controlling the ball well and retaining possesion that minutes before we would have given away. We looked solid, and if anything like we would put another couple of goals away, then came the sucker punch from Lincoln. Excellent goal, Batista couldn't do anything about it. Their 2nd, however, was a comedy of errors- and although Moritz got the own goal, it was probably more due to Batista's headless chicken approach that caused it.
The rest was frankly laughable- 5 goals in extra time as both sides decided defending was for numpties. Cristinval was obviously not fully fit, and looked shattered for much of the 2nd half, but still occasionally gave glimpses of excellent skill. A couple of telling through balls to Helgy who looked dangerous throught the match, if a little out of match practice and Radz were things that Zat could only dream of. He'll be superb when he's fully fit. CJ looked brilliant in the first half, really dangerous. Radz looked very good, and to be honest I can't fault our forwards performance- it could have been a far higher scoreline but for some superb saves from the Lincoln goalie.

Timlin looked too young, a little out of his debth. Elrich started poorly, but really came into his own later on- although his defensive duties did suffer.

In all, I'm sure Cookie will have taken alot from the match, both good and bad- the good- Leacock, Cristinval, CJ, Helgy, Zesh and Liam. The bad- Batisita, Timlin, Greens postiioning, lack of communication.

Good fun though- well done Lincoln (your left winger looked a real hanful)."