By Nathan Jackson
December 23 2006

Ryan Amoo scored his first and second goals in an Imps shirt as he inspired the Imps to a comfortable win at Peterborough. In typical Keith Alexander style, when Peterborough did put some pressure on, they failed to score except for with their only shot on target in the whole game.

City got the game underway but within a minute, Mark Stallard and Guy Branston started arguing and it caused play to stop. Adam Smith had the first chance of the match in the second minute but he could only hit it well wide of the target. The start of the game saw several fouls with free kicks given all over the place, mainly in the favour of Peterborough. Craig Morgan cleared the ball when under pressure by Mark Stallard after the striker ran onto a Scott Kerr ball.

City won the game’s first corner and almost made it count when the ball found it’s way to Beevers, the defender was unmarked but his header went straight into the arms of former Manchester United youngster, Paul Rachubka’s hands. Branston wasted a good chance as he headed wide of the target. Martin Gritton replicated this a few minutes later as he headed Amoo’s cross over.

The first half reached the half way mark and when Martin Gritton won the ball, he past it to Beevers and he inturn played it to Forrester, the striker let the ball past him and into the path of Ryan Amoo, the former Northampton midfielder took his time and calmly slotted the ball under Rachubka to sent the 2000+ Imps fans into a state of nirvana.

Morgan conceded a corner within 2 minutes and the ball ended up going well over the bar from a Yeo shot. City took it up the other end of the pitch and won a corner. This was again wasted as Brown’s weak header was easily claimed by the goalkeeper. Adam Newton curled a shot wide before Gritton got injured from defending a free kick.

A common trend over the recent few months has been the opposition scoring with their first shot on target and surprise, it happens again. Yeo ran down the left and swung the ball in, Peter Gain got a toe to that ball and it rolled agonisingly over the line and it deflated the Imps fans who had been in good voice up until that point.

Beevers headed wide before the referee blew for half time.

The second half was exceptionally slow with only a booking for Jamie Forrester for a foul on Mark Arber "entertaining" the fans early on. Adam Newton was replaced by Huke with 10 minutes of the half gone. It was the hour mark before a chance on goal and it fell the way of Peter Gain. It was a good counter attack from another failed corner attempt by City. Gain burst down the wing before crossing to Butcher who could only see his shot his the advertising hoardings at the top of the stand.

Out of nothing, City suddenly found themselves with a great chance to score as Amoo’s cross went over everyone and found it’s way to Forrester, the striker chested it down and shot went, with all the time available to him, he should have done much better but didn’t appear to look where the goal was. Beevers picked up a yellow card for a foul on McLean.

It appeared as though the game was going to head for a draw before with 19 minutes left, the ball again found it’s way over everyone and to the back post and Ryan was there to control the ball and smash a shot past Rachubka to give City a 2-1 lead and give the Imps hope of a first away win in 5. Hughes should have doubled the lead within a minute but he shot straight at the keeper. Kerr was injured as he conceded a corner.

Keith Alexander took of Branston for Benjamen in an attempt to create more chances. Forrester had a chance blocked before Peterborough won a free kick in a dangerous position, fortunately though, his free kick was headed to Craig Morgan and he shot well over again. Jamie Day replaced Smith for Peterborough before Marriott easily caught a cross when under pressure from Bejamen. Forrester completed a double of missed easy chances when Rachubka kicked straight to Forrester, however the striker couldn’t direct his chip over the keeper who was about 25 yards off his line.

Benjamen had the final chance but his header went straight over the bar and the referee blew for time to sent the Imps fans into delight.