By theimps.tk
March 26 2006

There are few Lincoln fans complaining tonight after Lincoln's biggest victory in over 7 years after winning 5-0. Goals from Foster, Forrester, Mayo, Marvin Robinson and Beevers gave the Imps the victory that moved the Imps back into the playoff places ahead of Tuesday's trip to Carlisle.

Well well well, what can you say? Where do you start? I fully expected us to lose and more than likely, lose badly and for the first 10 or so minutes, it looked as though I was going to be right, they were all over us for the first part of the game but when we scored against the run of play, there was only one team in it after that and even 5-0 wasn't a reflection on the game, a victory by 8 or 9 would have been more appropriate for a game that was as one sided as local derbies get.

Jamie Forrester made a huge difference to the squad and from this showing, he could easily turn out to be the best signing the Imps ever made on loan. He seemed to work really hard and was obviously in a mood to make sure that he made the most of his time at Sincil Bank and if he continues like this, there's no reason not to try and bring him in permanently in the summer.

I'm am personally delighted for Paul Mayo and Lee Beevers, both have come in for a lot of critisism recently but both put in excellent performance and both goals were very deserved. On the subject of someone who played well, Francis Green had a typically great game and he, and not the return of Yeo, is the main reason that our season has turned around. No one player had a bad game today and for a change, the defence actually did their job, although you'd be hard pushed to find a time when Grimsby looked like scoring.

Also, after the game, many fans were saying "Simon who" and I would have to agree, it's no coincedence that since he went off against Boston, we've scored 6 goals in just under 2 hours of football.

Alan Marriott -8 - Was a spectator for the majority of the match but was fantastic when he was called on and seems to have finally learnt that you can kick the ball almost instantly without having to wait their defence to get back.

Jamie McCombe - 10 - This guy is pure class and today showed exactly why. His performance just confirmed why he is the favourite to win player of the season. He continuously made vital tackles and proved to been an inspirational captain and let's hope he can keep this consistancy up.

Nat Brown - 8 - A bit quiet at times but he definatly seems to have found his place at the centre of defence.

Colin Cryan - 8 - Like Brown, he was fairly quiet for long periods but his crossing was second to none and his consistantly was again a vital reason why the Imps defence wasn't troubled.

Paul Mayo - 8 - Paul showed a vast improvement today on recent performances and the reason for that is simply because he looked up before passing. His surging runs provided the strikers with several decent balls which also caused several chances and although it came via a penalty, he deserved his goal today.

Lee Beevers - 9 - Fans have critisised him heavily in recent weeks but today, the fans got to view exactly why we brought him in the first place. He played with a lot of passion and won several balls from almost impossible situations and just like Mayo, he deserved his goal.

Scott Kerr - 9 - A model of consistency was at it again as he set up several goals and provided several penetrating runs into the box.

Luke Foster - 9 - Why this lad doesn't start every game, I'll never know, he was once again excellent and finally got his first goal for the club and it was well deserved. He could have scored a hatrick with his chances today but we'll let him off considering he's a natural defender.

Francis Green - 10 - I'll admit that in the past, I've been heavily critical of him but he yet again proved why he should be in the squad after yet another great performances. He has been the main reason why the Imps have turned around recently. No players covers more grass, no player works hard and no player puts as much passion into his game as Green, truly fantastic today and let's hope it doesn't stop anytime soon.

Jamie Forrester - 10 - It was alright for a debut wasn't it. What a signing he appears to be, scoring one and setting up two (and the providing the pass that lead to the penalty) on your debut it is a great start for anyone and the experienced striker clearly enjoyed being able to get a good chance of regular football. Hopefully he'll be able to keep his form up during the next month or so and then hopefully, we'll sign him permanently in the summer.

Marvin Robinson - 8 - Another excellent performance from the striker and not a bad finish for his first and City's forth goal. His main attributes were on show today as he out-mussled the Grimsby players on several occasions to create chances.

Martin Gritton - 5 - Wasn't really on long enough to anything but at least he touched the ball this week.

Gary Birch - 7 - Like Gritton, he wasn't on the pitch long enough to do anything but he set up a chance or two for the other players.

Lee Frecklington - 7 - Had some good touches in his limited appearance and is still improving with every game.

 

"It will be very difficult to pick out anything wrong with us today. We were the first to the abll in every department, our passing was good, some of our movement was good and sometimes, we played some very good stuff. We had superb support again and it was an excellent performance from everybody. I don't think anybody can have any complaints today. We were magnificant from start to finish. We've got to go on from this and we've got to go to Carlisle now and get a result there."

"It was unlucky on one or two players who were left out today, but iwas important that we got the team selection right because we had to stop them playing. I felt that with Luke Foster and Lee Beevers were playing in there we would do that and that's exactly what happened. Plus the fact that Jamie Forrester is an intelligent footballer and we put the balls in the right areas."

"He (Forrester) is an intelligent football. There were 60 or 70 minutes on the clock before he gave the ball away and that's very important, particularly on your home debut."

"I'm very embarrased apart from the first 10 minutes, we didn't complete or perform. That was the worst performance since I've been here. I'm upset and embarrased for our travelling fans. Not much went right, and we didn't defend well enough from the corners. They put on a good performance and we struggled today. We were marginally better in the second half but there were some disappointing performances in there."

"They (the Grimsby squad) didn't deserve a sit down and a cup of tea in a comfy changing room. I'd have lioked to have seen us more competitive than what we were in the second half."

"We didn't defend well at all. I'm very humbled that they've turned us over 5-0. We will start first thing tomorrow morning. There are 21 very important points to play for in the remainder of the season."

Russell Slade, Grimsby Town manager.

"Our two centre halves. Although after a five nil mauling of your local rivals all the talk is normally over the attackers, the reason the side was able to dominate was the stable base these two have become. In Nat Brown we have a defender with real pace, a vital ingredient in keeping Reddy out of the game. And then to the player who has to get player of the season, Jamie McCombe. Absolute class, he really has become a player of real quality, totally dominant in the air and increasingly handy with his disribution." alfordimp

"Just to hold up your hands and say I got it so, so wrong. Here was I suggesting that because Beevers and Mayo were starting that we would be lucky to get a draw. Well on this occasion we got exactly what we deserved, a decisive win over a real County rival. Every player played his part but special mention for Jamie (magnificent) McCombe, Luke (should be at least on the bench every week) Foster, Marvin (pain in the arse for defenders) Robinson, Franny (run till I drop) Green and Jamie (I know the way to goal) Forrester. Paul Mayo and Lee Beevers like the rest didn’t put a foot wrong and in fact amply demonstrated just why they’re good solid professionals. All in all a brillient match to watch and if anyone knows a better entertainment on a Saturday afternoon than that then please tell me because I’ll have some!" southender

"Well that was sure one hell of a game and even one hell of a score from the Mighty imp's. Now if someone had said to me we would lose at Boston 2-1 but will thrash Grimsby at Sincil bank 5-0 I would sure snatch it right out of their hands. I don't think one player desrve man of the match alone because it was one hell of a team effort so the whole team deserve full credit. To go and thrash a team 5-0 who are 2nd in the league is very IMPpressive and a joy to watch. Can we have more of the same Keith and you IMP'S please?" bikerimp

 

"Having witnessed todays events at Sincil Bank, I really don't know who I am more ashamed of; the players or the mindless idiots who call themselves fans of our club. I refer to the fools who charged the gates and tried to get onto the pitch. I am truely ashamed of the image they painted of our club, fans and town! Not to mention the fact that it could lead to the possibility of a fine, or worse possible point deductions! I know that isn't likely but if it happened could any town fan complain?" taipei

"Well that was possibly the worst performace I've seen in years. It is the first time I've ever left a match before the final whistle, and that isn't an exaggeration. To say that we didn't play badly isn't true, we were awful, and absolute shambles abd I take hy hat off to Slade for keeping the 'players' on the pitch and showing them up at half time." ska_face