This Saturday afternoon saw the Imps and Hereford United play out a rather low quality 1-1 draw at Sincil Bank. After a truly atrocious first half the Imps took the lead shortly after half time through Ben Tomlinson. Tomlinson was then later controversially sent off before a late equaliser by Frankie Artus for the Bulls ensured both sides went away with a share of the points.
Following the embarrassing 5-0 defeat against Plymouth in the FA cup replay on Wednesday night Imps manager Gary Simpson was forced into a change at the back as Andrew Boyce completed his loan move to Scunthorpe. This saw Luke Foster come in and partner Nat Brown at the heart of the defence. Todd Jordan returned to the side, he partnered Fofana in the centre of midfield with Nolan playing just ahead of these two. Nick Wright replaced Jackson in attack, the former dropping to the bench.
The Imps kicked off the match attacking the South Stand on a cold but bright November afternoon at Sincil Bank. In all honesty the match started poorly with both sides struggling to keep possession well, a series of aerial balls were played forward, at Least the visitors had two strikers who were capable of competing in the air. Sam Smith had the first effort of the match, a cross from Artus was met by the former Imp striker but luckily his effort went narrowly over.
The Bulls continued to be the better in the final third, an Artus free kick went behind for a corner before Lathorpe had a shot charged down by a congested Imps defence. Going forward the Imps offered little, aimless balls towards a solitary Nick Wright were, unsurprisingly bringing little joy. Imps midfielder Jon Nolan picked up the first yellow of the match for a late tackle on Brown.
Fofana had a long range looping shot superbly saved following a wasteful Power corner, the ball was going in the top corner of the goal but the ‘keeper was just able to grab the ball before it looped over his head, the midfielder was having another assured performance in front of the Imps back line, amazing to think he missed around ten games this season for no obvious reason. Minutes later Wright worked well to create space in the box but his shot on goal was pathetically weak and Lloyd-Weston easily picked the ball off the ground.
As half time approached Jordan had an effort from range easily saved by the visiting ‘keeper. Into stoppage time and the Imps best move of the match came form Miller down the right he played a one two with Power before getting behind the Bulls back line, sadly his low effort was saved and the follow up was cleared down the pitch. A superb powerful run by Miller who, along with fellow fullback Newton, provided the best attacking outlet for the Imps.
The sides returned for the second half unchanged, surprising as both sides were poor in the first half in the final third. Just two minutes of the half had passed before The Imps found themselves ahead, Nat Brown of all people was forward to win an aerial ball and flick the ball onto Tomlinson who ran in off the left side before smashing the ball in low into the bottom corner. A superb start to the second half and I had hoped the Imps would use this and build on it to get another.
Hereford looked to get back into the match with Smith having a header saved easily by Farman. The Imps for some reason seemed to just sit back and allow the visitors onto them, with well over half an hour to play. It seemed madness to let a poor side like Hereford control the game in the Imps half. Artus was narrowly wide with an effort just inside the box as the Bulls pushed for the equaliser.
With 25 minutes to play Sheridan came on for the Imps replacing Nolan, this saw Power finally move infield with Sheridan providing width from the right hand side. Shortly after the change former Imps loanee Chris Bush headed a long throw against the bar, the loose ball was scrambled clear by the Imps defence. Another change for the Imps followed with Dixon coming on for his customary ten minute run about in place of Wright, who had again had a poor game in attack. Dixon was soon in the book for a needless tackle with the ball going out of play for a Hereford goal kick.
Following this yellow we saw the main talking point of the match , Tomlinson through himself into a challenge with Hereford right back Leadbitter, the defender laying prone whilst mayhem broke out on the pitch, following all the players calming down a red card was shown to the striker. It is pointless arguing over the red as it was given, if Tomlinson had flown in off the ground then it wouldn`t have given the ref any reason to give him a straight red. For me it was stupid from the striker and not needed, he will now miss three games.
Following the red the Imps sunk back even deeper, seemingly inviting Hereford onto them, with only a few minutes of play left the Bulls got their equaliser. A long throw near the corner flag from Bush somehow evaded the Imps defenders in the box who even allowed it to bounce, stood at the back post was Artus who drove the ball left footed past Farman who was no way near the ball.
A few minutes later the ref blew for full time and the match ended 1-1. On reflection I feel a draw was a fair result for both sides, the red card was clearly open for debate but in general play Hereford gave as much as the Imps and arguably looked the better in the final third after we had taken the lead. The real problem for me is that Simpson has once again plumped for the same tactics, with just one striker, and again we have failed to win. Hereford were one of the few sides below us and we were at home, we should really have looked the better side and seen it through.
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