The St Patrick`s Day Guinness will doubtless be flowing today, but it was Lincoln goalkeeper Rob Burch who deserved a pint or two after doing a Gordon Banks at the Bank to earn the Imps a point. In a game few expected us to get much from our valiant keeper ensured Sincil Eyes were smiling after Davide Somma had again pulled us back into a game where without Burch we would have been down and out before halftime. The incredible match saving miracle stop was a simply stunning save from a downward Pack header, so close he could smell his breath, as he flipped the ball up to safety. A draw was a just desert for the Imps against a physically and statistically superior Dagenham and Redbridge as we jumped to 18th in the table. Alas, despite a fabulous turnout for Keith on Friday and a fiver for any Season ticket holders` mates last night , just 2,457 turned up to share the lofty experience.
With the Imps unable to find a wooden stump and a replacement hook to go with Pirate Pearce`s eye patch, Danny Hone came in with Shane Clark continuing to keep Saunders in that perplexing left wing position. Gilmour our delightful sprite in Codland, seated on the bench perhaps does not afford Anderson the same protection but surely both he and Saunders in their natural positions lend themselves to an attacking Imps formation? But what do we know of the will and wise words of the Chessman the latest Sincil Bank saviour? That said our ‘attack is the best form of defence` policy saw the Imps streak from the Sincil Bank Blocks. Steven Lennon Gilmour`s Irvine kinsman had 3 chances to stake his claim as a centre forward, striking a post in the second minute, then seeing Roberts save twice as the Imps ran unopposed into the Daggers Den for the opening 10.
The pendulum soon swung back as Rob Burch almost alone put himself before the sword of Damaclese for the remaining 35 minutes of the half. England`s No1 just got a hand to a deflected Damien McCrory free-kick, and then pulled off a point blank stunner as an Ogogo drive was stopped in its tracks from six yards. When we could get the ball up field Broughton won every header and Somma looked useful but Kerr and Shane Clarke were continually routed starving the flanks who had been doing the damage early doors. Broughton continues to stray offside which is a frustration though the linesman did let Mathieson down, the referee otherwise having a super unseen game. The inevitable goal came from another trademark Dagenham counter in the 33rd minute with a lightening break down the left. Benson played in Jon Nurse who slipped in to hammer past Burch from a tight angle.
The Imps in truth were fortunate to go in just the one down showing Daggers long throw and desire to get the ball forward has its merits. Apt in lambing season that keeper Tony Roberts is such a busy part of that having his merits defensively and offensively, not to mention being great value when it comes to the banter stakes. Hats off to the humorous Welshman, who can count better than we can, and his little thou shall not pass dragon flag – a card and a jar of Mint Sauce will be on its way at Christmas no doubt delivered by a fellow with a 6 fingered handshake. Otherwise a pretty quiet second half saw the same personnel get into a battle of attrition with Kerr and Clarke beginning to more than stand their ground. Great as they were at spoiling there is more creativity in a long defunct South Wales coal mine, though Kerr at least flashed his flickering headlamp twenty minutes from time with the assist.
Three quick corners from Dagenham and a free kick headed over by Arber saw the time eaten up before a moment of magic that changed the game. The Imps first attack of the half showed how our desire to try to play football and an ability to make what little we can count. Kerr won well and fed Saunders who motored down the left to flick a cross deep into the box. Lennon rose superbly to cushion a header back to Soma in the D and we knew what was coming. Instinctively the surefooted Sincil hot shot shaped and blasted home.
It left the plucky Roberts grabbing at fresh air, ‘Baaa humbug` he must have thought as another one got away. The win that is and that it would elude them must however be put down to the keeper at the other end. With just a quarter to go and the pace and urgency noticeably moving up a notch or two, The Daggers stabs became a veritable long range throwing of everything including the Sincil sink. Pack ghosted in unopposed to meet a worrying 3 man end to end move and a whipped cross, with an unstoppable downward header. Houdini Burch flung himself to flick the ball up and over the bar. A bit of pinball in the box saw an Arber effort cleared off the line by Anderson only for Arber to see his second drive blocked by Hone as a melee ensued that saw Saunders suffer the Sincil injury curse. He could not shake it off and hobbled off 8 minutes from time, worryingly replaced by Green ahead of Torquay and the ink not even dry on the envisaged extension to his loan deal.
17 Macclesfield 35 -7 39
18 Lincoln City 36 -18 39
19 Barnet 35 -10 38
20 Hereford 36 -18 38
21 Torquay 36 -3 37
22 Cheltenham 35 -15 34
23 Grimsby 36 -23 28
24 Darlington 33 -46 16
Lincoln City
1 Burch 5 Swaibu 6 Hone 38 Anderson 11 Kerr 16 Lennon 19 Clarke 25 Hughton 39 Saunders (Green 81) 15 Broughton 18 Somma
Subs
20 Musselwhite, 02 Green, 7 Oakes, 21 Reid, 31 Gordon, 35 Gilmour, 9 Connor
Dag & Red
1 Roberts 4 Doe 6 Arber 3 McCrory 5 Folly 7 Green 19 Ogogo 28 Pack 9 Nurse (Currie 83) 10 Scott 14 Benson
Subs
30 Lewington, 15 Uddin, 20 Vindelot, 26 Tejan-Sie, 17 Currie, 22 Montgomery, 16 Thomas
Ref: Mathieson
Att: 2,457 (2379 of Imp descent)
Possession – Lincoln City 49% Dag & Red 51%
Shots on – Lincoln City 6 Dag & Red 7
Shots off – Lincoln City 3 Dag & Red 12
Corners – Lincoln City 0 Dag & Red 11
Fouls – Lincoln City 12 Dag & Red 14
Offside Lincoln City 10 Dag & Red 1
Saves Lincoln City 5 Dag & Red 5
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