By Nathan Jackson
December 31 2010

November turned out to be the final month of competitive action for the Imps over the year. A mixed record saw the best performance of the season followed by a 5-0 home mauling by Bury, at least progressing in the FA Cup provided the welcome distraction.

One tradition that certainly didn’t change from Sutton to Tilson was the poor form in night games. Northampton came to Sincil Bank and won relatively easily through gaols from Beckwith and Johnson to pile the pressure on the Imps at the bottom of the table.

Whilst Nathan Adams left on loan to Stamford, Ashley Grimes was given permission by Millwall for him to play in the FA Cup game against Nuneaton. City were generally in control of the match without ever really looking threatening, and it took until the last minute for the Imps to take the lead through Jarrett. City’s reward for this victory would be to be drawn away at Hereford in the Second Round, meaning two consecutive games against Hereford on Saturday afternoons.

With newsworthy incidents seemingly few and far between, there were no changes ahead of Lincoln’s first ever visit to Morecambe’s new Globe Arena. Phil Jevons gave Nuneaton the lead but second half goals from Moses Swaibu and Ashley Grimes secured a very rare away win for the Imps and gave City fans even more confidence that they could escape relegation again.

Another quiet week followed before Hereford United visited Sincil Bank, a game that saw Lincoln’s best performance of the season so far. Ben Hutchinson and Delroy Facey gave City a 2-0 lead before Fleetwood pulled one back, the one goal gap didn’t last long through as Carayol scored City’s third. Watts had a goal disallowed and the Imps continued to dominate and were unlucky not to score more in their third win in a row.

City were on a high going into the match against Bury, but what followed was the biggest home defeat since the early 1990s. Howarth scored after 10 minutes, although he could credit an assist to Lincoln’s Joe Anyon after the keeper dropped his shot. City created a few chances and hit the bar between two goals in two minutes from Ajose and Lowe ended the game after 23 minutes. Ajose made it four in the 72^nd minute before Lowe completed his hatrick in the 93^rd minute.

All the loanees, with the exception of Josh Gowling, had their loan spells extended, whereas Delroy Facey was still on international duty with Grenada.

City travelled to Hereford United in the FA Cup second round, unaware it would turn out to be the last match of the 2010 section of the season. City were again the better side and goals from Grimes and Carayol either side of a very fortunate equaliser for the hosts gave City the lead. It was a lead the Imps held until five minutes from time, Watts giving away his second penalty of the game to give Manset the chance to score from the spot, he didn’t fail and the game went to a replay. The winners were drawn to face Wycombe away in the third round.

Since then it’s been a frustrating time for the Imps, December saw eight matches all postponed and there was very little newsworthy events happening, although Nathan Adams left the club. The club now head in a very fixture congested 2010 out of the relegation zone on goal difference, but with games in hand on those around them.

A Year in Review : November and December 2010

Discussion started by theimps.ka (IP Logged), 31/12/2010 15:14

theimps.ka
31/12/2010 15:14

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