Three points, two goals and one clean sheet!

Lincoln City ended their seven game win less streak this weekend by beating fellow relegation battlers Newport County 2-0 at Sincil Bank. The game was played in front of an attendance of only 1,951 which included 110 fans who made the long trip from Wales. Before kick off there was a vocal and visible protest aimed at both the board and the manager David Holdsworth outside the ground. More worryingly for me is the silent protest of so many fans simply not attending matches, how the club reaches out and attracts these fans back to Sincil Bank is a big challenge that is very important for the club moving forward.

Lincoln started this game with a 4-4-2 formation. New signing and former Newport player Tom Miller cam straight into the starting eleven partnering Josh Gowling in the heart of the defence. Further forward Louis partner McCammon in attack after returning from injury, with Sheridan and Bore deployed in the wide areas. Goal scoring winger Danny Lloyd who made an excellent second half appearance last week had to make do with a place on the bench.

The game started very closely with two evenly matched sides seemingly nervous to make the mistake that could lead to the opening goal for the opposition. The returning Louis had the first effort on goal after seven minutes, but he hit his shot into the side netting and didnt trouble Newport ‘keeper Glyn Thompson. Just minutes later a Newport free kick taken by Andy Sandell was hit with power but luckily straight at Joe Anyon who dealt with the shot comfortably.

It took twenty five minutes before Lincoln opened the scoring a corner was taken on the right by full back and captain John Nutter. His corner was delivered with pace and accuracy to the front post and duly headed home by striker Mark McCammon, Thompson had no chance in goal. This goal brought yet more energy from the brilliant home support, this appeared to transfer to the players on the pitch who looked more confident and willing to play with less fear of making a mistake.

Only eight minutes later the Imps got what turned out to be the final winning goal of the match. A ffree kick was awarded on the edge of the Newport box for a foul on Louis. Nutter, fresh from setting up the opening goal from a set piece, stepped up and despatched the ball goal ward with great power that meant that even though Thompson got a touch to the ball he couldn’t stop it flying into the back of the net. The crowd cheered sensing that this could be the game to end the barren win less run.

The rest of the first half passed by with a few half chances and efforts from both sides but nothing of any note. When the half time whistle was blown by the referee it was greeted with a unified cheer from the crowd, this was nothing less then the players deserved for giving themselves a comfortable lead at the break.

The teams returned after the interval unchanged and eager to get on with the second half. In all honesty the second half was unlikely to have the same energy and intensity and it turned out that way, neither team was able to create a clear cut chance until substitute Lloyd got on the end of superb right wing cross from Louis, sadly his flicked shot was brilliant saved by Thompson. Lloyd was joined in the second half by Laurent who replaced the first goal scorer McCammon to great applause for the final minutes. French Midfielder Christophe came on in the final minutes in place of Sheridan in what appeared to be just to run down the clock and ensure there were no nasty surprises in store for the Imps fans who chanted and cheered on their team brilliantly throughout the entire match.

To say these three points were much needed is an understatement, we are still very much in the relegation mire and this win will mean next to nothing if we lose our next match away to Hayes and Yeading on Tuesday night. But it will give the team confidence not only for the performance but also that the fans were united and behind the players throughout the match. Football really is a simple game, win and most things that are going on in the background disappear from our thoughts for a few moments at least.

There is no denying that there is still unrest and anger towards certain persons within the hierarchy at the club, but I for one walked home after this match with a smile on my face and spring in my step. It was a strange feeling I hadn’t felt for a while as got home on Saturday night, a feeling of relief and joy. We forget we go to watch football to embrace and enjoy all the beautiful game can offer.

Saturday gave us hope that this season isn’t over yet and if we can play like we did in just a few of the remaining games we should be able to look forward and upwards instead of downwards like the last few months.