Imps News

“I am delighted to be four points clear at the top at the midway stage.”

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Views from Scotimp following yesterday’s 2-1 defeat away at Crewe Alexandra in Sky Bet League Two: “Some people really do expect to win every game, don’t they? Some shameful comments on here again. Occasionally we will lose a game; occasionally we will not play well; occasionally a team will play above itself because we are top of the league and the team to beat. Get used to the idea.

Personally, I am delighted to be four points clear at the top at the midway stage with 47 points on the board. That is a fantastic effort.”

More views from the Match Thread:

PerthImp: “They out-Lincolned us!!!! Pressed hard for 90+ mins, battled for every ball, moved the ball well and scored two hard-fought goals. Mind you, I also thought the ref was shocking. Hardly gave us anything at all and penalised us for almost every physical challenge. I actually think he would have sent at least one of us off if we had battled as hard as Crewe. Hey ho – we move on to Saturday, but from what DC said after the game we could have three or four injuries.”

imps_joe: “Spoiler alert: this won’t make for good reading. Lincoln weren’t very good.

Today, was, in all honesty, a shambles. One of the most frustrating games I’ve witnessed under the Cowleys. The first half was the most one-sided affairs under the Cowleys I’ve seen since the second half against Arsenal. Partly because we were terrible, but also because of how good Crewe were going forward. They didn’t look great in defence, unfortunately, we rarely threatened.

Crewe wanted it so much more than us and were full of running. They looked fit, won all the second balls and constantly found large pockets of space. In contrast, we were sluggish and players were shying away from the battle. Our midfield was none existent, overwhelmed throughout and seemed to spend the game running through treacle. They pressed us high up the pitch and we couldn’t cope. It resulted in us lumping the ball forward to Akinde, who had no support. I thought the big man did fairly well considering the awful service he was provided. Yet remarkably we went in at halftime at 0-0 mainly due to some decent last-ditch defending.

Making it to the second half, the fans were thinking the Cowleys will give them a good talking to and make some tweaks. Whatever plan we had went out the window when we conceded a goal 2 minutes into the second half. Personally thought Botswick (?) was being held, and the header seemed to bamboozle Vickers who let the ball drop in. We can’t complain though Crewe hugely deserved it.

The second half continued to be an absolute **** storm conducted by the man in the middle, who seemed to have little knowledge of how football was played. His series of questionable decisions confused both sets of fans and set up a pantomime for the second half. For their second goal, our team seem to part like the black sea for Moses and allow their man to run through. Eventually, a shot was half blocked and found its way in the corner. Vickers complained to the linesmen, not sure why unless their player tapped it in at the back post.

Despite being in complete control Crewe looked to start bottling it when we scored late from a rare good move from Lincoln. However, they masterfully took 4 minutes out of the game using gamesmanship. No complaints though the best team won. Throughout the second half, I was thinking green could have been useful here. Critical transfer window coming up where we must strengthen. Just to add insult to injury, my man of the match, Vickers still seems to be struggling with injury. Can’t see the Cowleys ever giving a team the Christmas off again after that performance.

Very few positives to pull out of that other than both MK Dons and Colchester losing meaning we will be top in the new year. I guess we can put this down as a bad day, or maybe try and sell it as the kick up the rear we needed. Sigh. Where is my beer?”

Thank you to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City Football Club for the photograph!

Posted by Vital Lincoln City on Thursday, 27 December 2018

Crewe Alexandra
2 – 1
Lincoln City

Gresty Road

Sky Bet League Two

26/12/2018 3:00 pm

Attendance: 4440

Referee: Christopher Sarginson

Crewe Alexandra Lincoln City
Porter 47', Jones 72' Anderson 90+7'
Garratt Vickers
Ng Eardley
Ray Bostwick
 
Nolan Shackell
 
Pickering Toffolo
Green
 
81' Pett
 
69'
Wintle
 
O'Connor
Jones Frecklington
Porter 90+8' Andrade 40'
Bowery Anderson
Kirk 90' Akinde
 
77'

Substitutes

Miller 90+8' Gordon 77'
Ainley 81' Wharton
Richards Rhead
 
69'
Nicholls 90' Wilson
Dale McCartan 40'
Reilly Mensah
Hunt Smith

Game Statistics

20 Goal attempts 4
8 On Target 1
7 Corners 2
12 Fouls 14
2 Yellow Cards 4
0 Red Cards 0
56 % 44

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