It may not be the favourite derby clash for many Lincoln City supporters – with most preferring a date with the Mariners or a meeting with the Iron – but Wednesday night`s encounter with Boston United promises to be one of the most intriguing county battles in recent seasons.
The Imps are riding high in League Two and possess the only 100 per cent away record in the country, with five straight wins.
The new management duo of John Schofield and John Deehan are being showered with plaudits for not only bringing style and panaché back to Sincil Bank, but also for developing a team who are producing the goods on a regular basis.
A winning habit has seen City occupy a nose-bleeding inducing position in the table for much of the campaign, with the odds for the Imps to attain promotion slashed week-by-week by frantic bookies, who continue to be amazed by the antics of this side from the nether regions of the yellow-belly county.
Everything is rosy in the Sincil Bank garden, although the same cannot be said of York Street, with the flowers wilting, weeds growing through the cracks and rust invading the entrance gates as the Pilgrims creak from one disastrous result to the next.
And if the fact they are second from bottom and teetering ever nearer to relegation isn`t bad enough, their manager Steve Evans is now preparing for a spell in the clink after admitting his guilt to fraud, or as the courts like to word it, “cheating the public revenue”.
According to the news wires today, a court heard how senior Boston United officials cheated the taxman to save money and “prop up” their club.
Prosecuting QC Martin Hicks told the court: “The method deployed was simple – wages to various players and staff which attract tax were disguised as out-of-pocket expenses which do not attract tax.
“Various fees and bonuses, such as signing on fees or winning bonuses, went undisclosed when they should have been declared.”
The pressure must be mounting on Evans like never before and the Pilgrims faithful has now, it seemed, turned their back on Evans, with many fans wanting the axe to fall on the rotund Scot`s shoulders, although Evans insists the fans are still behind him.
“I feel my record shows that I deserve a period of time to get it right,” said Evans earlier this week. “I don’t think I’ve lost the players or the fans.”
United were booed off the pitch on Saturday following the debacle with Rochdale, and a similar result against the Imps tomorrow night will surely see the end of Evans` colourful reign at York Street – for a second time – with coach Colin Hendry ready to step into the breach.
But how many times before have we seen the underdog overcome adversity to pull the rug from underneath the all-conquering heroes to pull off a shock result? The City faithful will be hoping for no such occurrences and there is every chance that come 10pm on Wednesday night, the Imps will fly their flag from the League Two summit – and also celebrate the passing of one of the most unliked managers in the lower leagues. Christmas come early? You betcha….
Vital Quotes:
Dave Farrell, Boston midfielder:
It’s a massive game and a great opportunity to put things right.
‘We know we’ve under-performed lately, but I firmly believe we’re capable of turning things round and getting a positive result against Lincoln.’
John Deehan, Lincoln City director of football:
Hopefully places are going to be very difficult to get on the away coaches because it’s enjoyable watching us.
‘We want to keep it going as long as we possibly can. We’re playing well and hopefully if we stay resilient we can move on to the next mark.’
Boston United Team News:
Veteran midfielder Chris Holland could return for the Pilgrims following a spell out of the side with a thigh injury, with Boston boss Steve Evans ready to make changes after Saturday’s disastrous result.
But Evans is stil without injured trio Lee Canoville (knee), Brad Maylett (groin) and Simon Rusk (knee), although Richie Ryan and on-loan Rangers duo Dany N’Guessan and Bob Davidson are all hoping to start after coming off the bench against Dale.
Player to watch: Franny Green
‘Flattered to deceive’ is one of those phrases that fits former City striker Green to a tee, with his three-year stint at Sincil Bank showing glimpses of what might have been without ever producing the goods on a regular, or even an irregular, basis.
He will surely be determined to put one over on his former side, although typically he has gone nine games without a goal.
Lincoln City Team News:
City will name an unchanged side after head coach John Schofield reported no injury worries after Saturday’s terrific 3-1 win at Wycombe.
Nat Brown is nearing a return to first-team action after figuring for the reserves following his recovery from a wrist injury, but Gary Birch remains on the sidelines with a knee problem.
Player to watch: Mark Stallard
There were audible groans in the summer when City announced the signing of veteran marksman Stallard from Shrewsbury – how was a striker who scored seven goals all season for the Shrews going to produce the goods at Sincil Bank?
But the 31-year-old has been a revelation for the Imps and has already matched last year’s tally after only 11 matches. He has struck up a tremendous partnership with Jamie Forrester that has produced copius amounts of fruit, and he has become a vital component of John Schofield’s side.
Match Facts & Stats
Boston:
ast six matches: LLDWLL
Lincoln:
ast six matches: WWWWLW
Match Prediction:
This is the sort of match that has banker written all over it, only to wreck punters’ accumulators, although I think Lincoln will rise above their lowly county rivals to register a maximum haul and I advise you to lump on at 5/4 for a City win.
For first goalscorer backers, Mark Stallard is 5/1 to open the scoring, but a punt is recommended on five-goal midfielder Lee Frecklington who is a massive 14/1 to get the Imps off to a flier. That could be the bet of the season…
Next Fixtures:
Boston:
aturday 30 September: Swindon (a)
Lincoln:
aturday 30 September: Bury (h)
