Chris Sutton started his Chessman’s mission with 4-5-1 and duly completed it yesterday with ‘one nil to the mighty Imps’ once again the outcome. We will leave the blow by blow on this one because in truth it would not do the result justice. For this was a game that saw a Boer settle something of a bore. That said The Shakers are a strong side and really wanted to secure their playoff spot, yet succumbed to their hosts as all around them won. They slip to sixth with Port Vale, Morecambe and Chesterfield just a point behind.
Bury enjoyed huge spells of pressure as 62% overall would suggest, with a Rob Burch wonder save denying an Andy Morrell drive. But in all honesty much to the consternation of the 4-4-2`ers the 5 man midfield phalanx was always going to be his preferred option as soon as Baker pulled up late leaving David Stephens in at the deep end. But what a commanding debut from a potential Janos Kovacs replacement, a veritable giant of the Imps who laid waste to all in his wake and dispensed haymaker clearances to orbits high and low. Felt a tad direct in many quarters our tough tackling row Z man could well have been settling in ahead of next season with Norwich now a Championship wide again. He would be just the job for the Imps year as partner to Watt with Hone and Swaibu also in the mix.
Without doubt Stephens was man of the match despite Hone toughing it out with Bishop as well as Worrall who successfully mounted him at one point like a brave little Chihuahua chancing its arm with a great Dane. Anderson must learn some positional sense too though all in front of him left him outnumbered on the left. Hughton left Jones, the wide man on the left, to come in and fluff his lines on umpteen occasions. Cian is a midfielder you feel, unless both he and Anderson can get on the weights and study some tactics this summer.
So once again it came down to Davide Somma, the ‘gangsta’ of goals, who as the stats prove had our one and only chance of a tense game made yet more excruciating by Grimsby`s 2-0 half time lead. We would have to wait another 35 mind numbing minutes before he would finally put this car wreck of an anniversary season to bed. Keltie fashioned a through ball to create his second home winning assist in successive home games. Davide brought the ball under his spell just inside the right hand side of the box and then thumped home from twelve yards. The ground erupted, the release the joy as Imp hugged Imp, raw emotion said it all, relief is such a great and instant healer after all. Amen For King Davide Did Smite them?.. Be gone from the Bank relegation ?. Be gone.
That is not to say we should not forget the lessons of this season for now is the time to bathe in the much needed light. But thank you Davide, thank you Simon Grayson and any chance of a bit more charity work next season ?
If not then Sutton`s hard work really is only just beginning. After the bonhommie and backslapping was done oh so many Imps suggested they wanted to see changes, ambition and yes a bit of long overdue cash put in before they parted with their own ‘hard earned’ next year. With just 2863 Imps there yesterday for the most important game of the season the boardroom needs to act and fast with the season tickets renewals going out in the post
Lincoln City
1 Burch 6 Hone 15 Stephens 38 Anderson 11 Kerr yellow card 16 Lennon 23 Keltie 25 Hughton 39 Saunders 18 Somma 35 Gilmour (John-Lewis 55)
Substitutes
20 Musselwhite, 8 Butcher, 19 Clarke, 21 Reid, 31 Gordon, 9 Connor, 14 John-Lewis
Bury
20 Belford 2 Scott (Elliott 82) 6 Cresswell 16 Sodje 3 Buchanan 7 Dawson 11 Barry-Murphy 14 Jones (Poole 75) 19 Worrall 10 Bishop yellow card (Carlton 67)
18 Morrell
Substitutes
1 Brown, 5 Futcher, 23 Newey, 12 Racchi, 9 Carlton, 22 Elliott, 25 Poole
Possession Lincoln City 38% Bury 62%
Shots on target Imps 1 Bury 4
Shots off target Imps 2 Bury 4
Saves Imps 5 Bury 0
Corners Imps 3 Bury 9
Fouls Imps 11 Bury 18
Yellow Card Imps 1 Bury 1
Ref: Singh
Att: 3,403 (540 visitors 2863 Imps)
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