JL: “His goal was sensational”

Views from Joseph Lovett after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home against Yeovil Town in League Two: “Not the sort of performance you really want heading into the playoffs, but at least we are there.

Our reward for crawling over the line? Exeter in the playoffs. The one everyone wanted to avoid. Miles away and only a handful of away tickets available. Having said that at 20 minutes left I would have snapped your arm off for Exeter in the playoffs! We know we can beat them!

The first half was up there as one of the worst under the Cowleys. It felt like a pre-season game full of players that had never played with each other before. No one really seemed to be doing their role, simple passes were missing their mark, no one was moving into space, we lacked width, set pieces were ineffectual and it was a very one-dimensional plan. Other than the penalty miss I can’t really remember us having a chance and we can consider ourselves a bit lucky to only go in at halftime only one down. I still don’t really know how their goal came about and I’m still trying to work it out from the replay! I’m not sure if it was down to the occasion and the players being nervous? Yeah, we’ve been in big games before, but, often we were the underdogs. Maybe that added expected pressure unsettled a few people.

Second half we came out far better, with more intent. Cowley’s words work again. Admittedly we didn’t actually create an awful lot, but we were knocking on the door. In my opinion, the big change was bringing Anderson in. He offered us pace, width and directness. When Pett came on I, like everyone around me, was wondering why he was brought on. Boy, he proved us wrong. His goal was sensational. The way he quickly moved the ball from his on to his right foot and the technique of the finish was amazing. I genuinely thought it was going wide, but he somehow managed to bend it right in the top corner.

Following the goal, the referee may as well have blown his whistle. Both teams were happy to take a point. If I was a Yeovil fan I would have been livid. Even at 1-1 with 5 to go, they weren’t pushing for a goal (suited us!). To travel all that way and see a half-hearted performance like that at the end of the game would have been very disappointing. I was very worried when Eardley went off, hopefully not too serious. He may not have his best game, but he’s still a cut above the rest. Bossie, Woodyard and Rhead all did their jobs very well.

I think these games highlight what we miss without Habergham and Frecklington in the team. The former is very good at knowing when to get forward down the flank and is solid at defending at full-back. Freck is very good at creating space in the middle of the park and playing balls across the pitch which is key to how we play. Also, he’s always there to play a simple one-two from a throw-in.

Whatever happens from here, what a fantastic season it’s been!”

Reaction from 100% Imps & Social Media:

Snats: “Limped over the line but it’s amazing that we were in a position to be able to do that. Listening to Danny on Radio Lincs after the match it strikes me how much we’ve overachieved this season, we lack the resources or squad depth of our main rivals but character and willpower have seen us through.