By Nathan Jackson
October 9 2010

Lincoln City's improvement since Chris Sutton left the club continued as Jamie Clapham's free kick secured victory for the Imps against Macclesfield. Moses Swaibu had given the Imps the lead before Hamza Bencherif scored an equaliser for Macc against his former side, all that before Jamie Clapham's excellent second half free kick.

City started well with O'Keefe headed a Hughton cross goalwards, only to see it saved by Veiga. Matt Hamshaw then had a chance down at the other end as his curling effort was saved by Anyon. Hutchinson appeared injured followed a corner but was ok to continue. It was a high tempo start with the Imps rocing several corners.

O'Keefe had a downward header from a corner cleared off of the line by Daniel, that before Ross Draper hit the ball over from the edge of the box down at the other end. The game slowed slightly before a Hutchinson found himself one-on-one in the 33rd minute, he failed to get his shot on target and it was closer to the corner flag than the goal.

Tremarco blocked a Carayol effort before Facey's header from a corner failed to reach the goal. It didn't take long though for the Imps to score their first goal since September 11th. Watts flicked on a Jarrett free kick and although it appeared to be going in anyway, Swaibu made sure to secore just his second goal for the club since joining last February. That would be the final action of the first half.

City started the second half well and spent the early parts on the attack, but there were fears that Jarrett had be seriously injured after a heavy challenge from Nsiala. Whilst Jarrett was off of the pitch, a free kick was headed down in the area by Nat Brown and Hamza Bencherif proded the loose ball into the net, the second time he's scored at Sincil Bank, once for the Imps and now against. It was Macclesfield's first realistic chance on goal in the game.

Tremarco fouled Carayol minutes later and gained a yellow card for his troubles. The free kick was played in and Swaibu almost scored again as he looping header went over Veiga, only for the keeper to get a last-ditch glove to it. Macclesfield then almost grabbed a winner out of the blue as a ball was played in and Sinclair's tried an acrobatic shot, only to fail to connect with the ball.

Bencherif was lived as he was adjudged to have handballs a throughball to Facey, he gained a booking for his troubles and then had to watch as Jamie Clapham brilliantly curled the effort into the top corner of the net. It is the first time since beating Bournemouth 2-1 in April that the Imps have scored more than once in a match.

Neither side really threatened again but there was one more noteworthy incident. Sam Turner replaced Albert Jarrett to make his debut for the Imps, the first youth player to make a first team appearance since a very brief appearance from Lee Bennett at Bradford last season.

Clapham's free kick gets win for a better Sutton-free City

Discussion started by theimps.ka (IP Logged), 09/10/2010 17:43

theimps.ka
09/10/2010 17:43

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Helgy.
09/10/2010 17:52

First game i have enjoyed in over a year is there a hint in there somewhere lol.

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79imp
09/10/2010 18:06

Am out of Lincoln this weekend so couldn't make the game but very encouraged by scoring a couple of goals, and from the match report getting a deserved win. Also very happy to hear that we were attacking the Stacey West in the second half now that Sutton's pathetic superstitions are gone but best of all, over 1,000 extra home fans compared to the Burton game. I know there was an offer for kids but I believe a lot of that is down the Sutton factor and am sure will not go unnoticed by the board. I'll be there in 2 weeks cheering them and the new manager on - thank God that idiot left when he did.

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Kate Jackson
09/10/2010 18:11

I did specifically hear some fans say today that they only came back because Sutton went.

Good Luck, Mr Gorsky

http://twitter.com/#!/katejackson84
http://www.katejackson84.blogspot.com

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Hully
09/10/2010 18:26

Well it was my first game for a while and I went back almost entirely because Sutton is no longer there. A lot of room for improvement I thought but several encouraging signs.

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dazimp120
09/10/2010 22:23

couldnt get today but will be at the new managers first home game whoever it is,good to hear that the gate was up

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PoshImp
10/10/2010 00:19

Great game today, we actually pressed forward and looked a decent side. The team played like they had had the shackles lifted off them!!

SW fans were awesome. No question. It just gets better and better behind that goal!!

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skeggyimp
10/10/2010 08:55

Got to agree about the fans in the S.W. Posh,but also the rest of the ground were really up for it.
I know Nathan has spoken about how successful teams don't need fans to be chanting all the match, but when fans feel positive, Sincil Bank is a different place.Just feels so good!

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