City seek improved home form


By Nathan Jackson
November 11 2005

City go into Saturday's home game against Shrewsbury looking to improve on just 3 wins in the league at Sincil Bank. Lincoln will also be searching for their first back to back league wins since April, although they will face a hard task in the form of Shrewsbury Town.

After a frankly disappointing result against the MK Dons and then the rather iriting 2nd round draw, the Imps will look to make their otherwise miserable last 7 days slightly more tolerable with a home game against Shrewsbury. If they Imps win, it will be the first time City have won back to back league games since April, ironically the last time City were at home for 2 Saturdays on the trot.

This match will be City's last at home until the 6th of December, in which time, City will be on the road 3 times (4 if we beat MK Dons). There will be a limited collection of photos of this match available within 5 hours of the end of the match.

City's only definate absentee is Dean Keates, who is starting a 3 match suspension. Keith is refusing to name his replacement for Keates although the hot favourite is Luke Foster. The Imps could welcome back Jamie McCombe who returned to training last week, however, most will expect to see him on the bench. . The attack will more than likely be lead by in-form Marvin Robinson who has scored in his last 3 games. He should be accompanied by Gary Birch and Derek Asamoah.

Who I think will start (Right to left)

Marriott

Beevers   Cryan  Morgan  McAuley

Kerr    Brown  Foster

M/Robinson  Birch    Asamoah

 

Shrewsbury have been as inconsistent as City so far this season.

Shrewsbury started the season with a 1-0 defeat at home to Rochdale before an away draw at Boston was followed by a defeat at struggling Bury. The title favourites at the time, Northampton Town were the next to visit Gay Meadow and went away with a point after a 1-1 draw.

Shrewsbury finally won a game and it was a hard fought win over Championship side, Brighton and Hove Albion in the Carling Cup. McCammon gave Brighton the lead shortly before the 20 minute mark but Stallard quickly equalised for the Shropshire side. Robinson restored Brighton's lead with 10 minutes left before Denny equalised a minute from time before sending his team through with a goal in the first minute of extra time.

Shrewsbury's next opponents were Wycombe Wanderers and the two sides shared the points after a 1-1 draw. 2 days later, came a trip to Orient and the Shrew's first collection of 3 points in the season with a 3rd minute penalty from McMenamin. Shrewsbury made it 7 points in a week 5 days later with a 2-0 win at home to Oxford United.

However, just as it looked as Shrewsbury were starting to gain momentum, they lost 2-1 at struggling Torquay United, however, their next outing saw them take 3 points thanks to a 2-0 victory over Notts County at Gay Meadow.

The reward for beating Brighton, was the visit of Championship leaders, Sheffield United. Shrewsbury did well to hold Neil Warnock's men but superiority showed when the ex-Premiership side won the penalty shoot out, 4-3 after a 0-0 draw. This however was only a minor blip in Shrewsbury's relatively impressive September form which saw them defeat Peterborough United 2-0 at London Road before an exciting 2-2 draw with promoted Barnet.

The October form proved costly and with improved results, they could be in the playoffs at the minute. However, a 0-0 draw with Grimsby was followed by a 4-0 thumping at improving Mansfield. A 2-2 draw at home to Stockport was followed by a 2-0 defeat at home to Cheltenham and a 3-0 malling against Rushden. However, their last league outing saw them beat Chester City 3-1 before last week's 4-1 win over Braintree in the cup.

 

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