By Nathan Jackson
January 2 2006

With other things on their mind, the Imps' players could be understandable be pleased with a 0-0 draw at Mansfield. With coach, John Schofield taking control of his first ever league game, the Imps failed to inspire in a game that never looked anything but a 0-0.

The game began incredibly cagily and all the Lincoln players seemed to have Keith and Gary on their minds as it took a long time to settle, allowing Mansfield to settle quicker, however, it was the Imps who had the first opportunity but he shot wide from Jeff Hughes’ cross. Mansfield did win the first corner when Rundle’s cross hit Cryan, however, from the corner, the ball went straight back up on play. Rundle had the next decent effort near the ¼ hour mark but his goalbound shot hit McAuley.

 

Brave keeping from Marriott just a few minutes prevented an almost certain goal when Mansfield outnumbered City 4 to 1 (and Marriott) in the 6 yard box, however, Marriott made a great block but paid for it as he appeared to collide with Allan Russell’s foot and the keeper had to spend several minutes receiving treatment.

 

Lincoln, famous for being deadly from set pieces then showed everyone the reality of our set piece taking when Kerr whipped in a corner that went straight into the side netting. Yeo however, almost scored a re-debut goal just after that but Hjelde recovered well from his mistake and prevented Yeo from sneaking in just 18 yards out.

 

On the half hour, Hjelde welcomed Yeo back to England with a bad tackle from behind. Dean Keates took the 25 yard free kick and forced Pressman into making an impressive save considering his rather ample build. Jamie McCombe headed the corner over.

 

With 10 minutes to go, Mansfield again pressed but Jonathan D’Laryea shot ridiculously wide after a free kick when Buxton was fouled by Kerr. However, Keates almost opened the scoring when Keates connected well with Cryan’s cross but it hit a defender and that was it for a very quiet half.

 

Mansfield defiantly came out the stronger of the two sides but City held about well against the Stags who had a long succession of throw-ins and corners before City final managed to appease the pressure for a small time. However, after 5 minutes, Mansfield were suddenly camped in City’s half and only a clip from Dawson saved City from a likely goal. However, Dawson did almost score a minute later but his shot went wide.

 

It took nearly 10 minutes for the Imps to get back in the game when a rather suspicious Marvin Robinson saw him comically appeal for a penalty. Yeo then flicked a Keates free-kick over the bar. Mansfield made a substitution which brought a standing ovation from their fans as Russell was replaced with Richard Barker and the striker’s first contribution was to do a great Shearer impression and elbow McCombe in the face.

 

Adam Birchall replaced Nathan Arnold for the hosts before Marvin Robinson almost headed the Imps into the lead but he could quite reach for the header on Keates’ corner. Foster then continued his impressive time in the team when he denied the high rately Baptiste a chance on a goal.

 

City had the game’s best chance just minutes later when Kerr’s cross was punched towards Yeo who had his shot blocked, it fell to Keates’ whose shot was also blocked before Foster shot well over the bar from near 30 yards. Gus Uhlenbeek replaced Dawson for the hosts and then, with just over 12 minutes, interim manager, John Schofield actually moved for the first time in the match as he brought off Jeff Hughes and brought on highly rated Leon Mettam, making his league debut for the Imps, that is one of the good things about having a former youth team manager as interim manager because he’ll give the youth team lads a chance.

 

The game dried up again but City had an excellent opportunity when Keates took a free kick 35 yards out and it was punched clear by Pressman who’s weight was clearly affecting him as he could quite easily have caught the ball and the ball floated towards the post but Yeo could only hit the post with his header and he was soon booked when frustration got the better of him after being harshly penalised for an apparent handball and unless he has a hand growing out of his chest, it was no-where near that.

 

The game finished the way it had gone during the day, with very little happening but very few people could have complained about the result considering the situation.