The stats will suggest that the Imps had most of the possession in this game, but in truth it was over before it began as Port Vale threatened and almost delivered a Vale full. Ex Imp Geoff Horsfield had wanted a reaction and after a mix up between Pearce and Burch that is exactly what happened as the powers of action and reaction shaped the game. In the first five mutes we could have been three down, in the first fifteen five, though with good fortune it stayed at just the three. Then in the 69th minute a fourth and final goal from John McCombe brother of our ex central defensive hero rubbed the final salt in the wounds. Such were our injuries in defence that a Proud Pearce had to limp his way through this as Vale wiped their feet on the way out.
On 22 seconds a hopeful ball through the swirling winds and snow was played back by Pearce along the ground 18 yards out with little apparent pace or danger. It wrong footed Burch who chased back in vain only to see the ball cross the line almost in slow motion. In the third minute the young Imps still caught between the headlights failed to clear our lines and the unmarked Rob Taylor blasted home from a close range angle to double the uphill struggle. What a player this lad is quick bright, inventive, a left winger who skins opponents for fun. The thing is Rob is Taylor made to finish as well as being a pain in the side who can surgically divide and provide. To be fair the Imps rallied against what could have proved to be a shaky Vale defence if they had not been home and dry and we typically shot shy. Broughton and Lennon unmarked in the six yard box failed to connect on what was fast becoming one of those nights.
It never snows then it pours as the orange ball quickly found its way back up the other end with Anderson putting it out for a throw. This with less than five minutes on the clock. The long throw appeared to strike a hand in the ensuing melee and a less than Christmassy Gibbs pointed to the spot. Burch brilliantly flung himself to his left to save his first penalty for the Imps with top scorer Richards shaking his head in disbelief. With most Imps now praying for a snow stoppage the brave 101 sang on against the Valiants. Sensing one back could see the Vale defence crumble, the players responded and edged the play with Pearce and Lennon having respective headers and shots blocked. Indeed a superb floated corner from Saunders struck an arm, but teams at the wrong end never get those especially away from home.
Sods law as Haldane countered with pace down the flank on a wide pitch that we in all honesty failed to cater for. His delightful ball to the far post was powered home on the half volley by Craig Davies and it really was threes the charm as Vale’s attacking prowess came of age. It was backs to the wall stuff now with Burch making a fantastic point blank reflex save from Richards who was beginning to feel he would need a snow plough to beat the Imps keeper. Troublesome Taylor also headed over as the snow appeared to be the best placed obsticle and answer to our prayers with barely a third of the game played. 0-3 down against Cardiff anyone and we come back from the dead to win it when it is replayed hopefully without a dog in sight? No such luck as Pearce after shaking off a terrible unpunished challenge drove the Imps on leading by example. Alas his header went inches wide and a fine Lennon effort was denied. Vale were either on the back foot or as proved with yet another penalty shout, just picking us off on the counter using the width of the pitch time and again. Many can blame Anderson and Hughton but when you are pressured by two and the inevitable overlap, things are not rocket science are they?
On 36 minutes Herd also picked up his eighth yellow of the season, and you couldn`t make this up, a hamstrung hangman Broughton had to go off with the sick bay card school pot surely now rivalling the National Lottery on a double roll over. Oh for some of those funds toward the new Vital Netbuster game that is attempting to raise funds for Herd`s permanent signature in the summer. With Pearce continuing to shake off his injury – the gladiator would serve us well second half, the Imps made no half time changes. Good bye Hyde hello Dr Jekyll as The Imps battled back and began to create the chances with an Anderson long range pile driver well saved by Anyon. Kerr too was denied, though he frustratingly makes too many wrong decisions once he has done all the hard work and got the ball at his feet. A great battler but surely Keltie is a man built in a similar mould with a range of passing to boot.
Gilmour and Lennon were getting the ball wide and showing their undoubted skill, perhaps the half time chat had pointed to the wide expanses of Vale Park. Gilmour is such a gifted fellow, silky skills, sprightly and an eye for a pass or goal. One such pass found Lennon who was denied by a great piece of defending by man of the match John McCombe. Another flowing move from the Imps saw Lennon brought down, though as said before these are a big ‘no way Jose` when you are in the lower reaches and away from home. LJL then dragged a chance wide that you wished had fallen to Gilmour or Lennon. Forget the kind words and confidence building exercises on this lad quite frankly we do not have the time. When you miss a chance and the side goes straight up the other end it can change the game. Fortunately this time we were 0-3 down and ‘it`s not me night lads` Richards sliced Davies peach of a cross wide. Anderson then robbed him blind just as he swung for goal and Burch denied him with another super save only for John McCombe to cap his night and rifle home the rebound for the fourth. With half an hour still on the clock and the hopes of even the snow saving us the Imps continued to enjoy the majority of the play with Keltie coming on to reasonable effect under the circumstances.
However the relegation run in may not be a pleasant one starting with a home game against an attacking force like Crewe on Saturday. These are worrying times at the Imps on and off the field with a board who are giving a struggling novice manager little scope for manoeuvre. It is all the more perplexing given a local Lincoln multimillionaire chose a debt ridden Notts County over a club that he was driven from on a night of long knives that has still to see the light of day. Anyway this is not the time to discuss the procrastination that is paralysing our club. We need to get behind the team on Saturday and with us behind them and Pearce driving by example we can still stay up this season. We have got all the wrong breaks of late, apologies Adam, but maybe things will go our way on Saturday. That said Cheltenham drew with Torquay and Grimsby drew with Macclesfield as three ex Imps continue to help us out. Funny old game football and who would bet against 30 yard screemer Butcher, Keith and Simmo signing on at Sincil next season?
Port Vale
1 Anyon 5 McCombe 11 Yates 15 Collins 16 Owen 03 Taylor (Richman 86) 10 Fraser (Morsy 83) 09 Richards 14 Dodds 25 Davies 32 Haldane (Rigg 81)
Yellow card Fraser
Subs 12 Martin, 6 Prosser, 34 Bell, 17 Rigg, 19 Richman, 29 Morsy, 33 Malbon
Lincoln City
1 Burch 5 Swaibu 13 Pearce 38 Anderson 11 Kerr (Clarke 81) 16 Lennon 25 Hughton 34 Herd (Keltie 73) 35 Gilmore 39 Saunders 15 Broughton (John-Lewis 37)
Yellow card Herd
Substitutes
20 Musselwhite, 2 Green, 6 Hone, 7 Oakes, 19 Clarke, 23 Keltie, 14 John-Lewis
Ref: Phil Gibbs
Crowd 3,231 (101 of Imp Decent)
This fixture has recorded respective seasonal lows
Possession Port Vale 46% Lincoln City 54%
Shots on target Port Vale 5 Lincoln City 2
Shots off target Port Vale 5 Lincoln City 3
Corners Port Vale 5 Lincoln City 6
Fouls Port Vale 14 Lincoln City 4
Offside Port Vale 0 Lincoln City 1
Yellows Port Vale 1 Lincoln City 1
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