By Nathan Jackson
June 21 2008

Lincoln City produced a brilliant first team performance against Huddersfield Town, but a Terriers comeback meant City were eliminated from the Playoffs. Peter Jackson's men were 2-1 up from the first leg but were lucky to still be in the tie following the first half at the Galpharm.

Lincoln's 2003/4 team was awesome. That was back in the days where you could trust Marriott to make a save, Ben Futcher was liked by City fans, Richard Butcher scored stunner after brilliant stunner and Gary Fletcher (as he was known then) was terrorising defences. This is side was (in my opinion) easily the best team we've had representing the Imps during the last 5 years and the match you've voted as the 7th best in that time, sees the Imps make their final game of the 2003/4 season.

The Imps were 2-1 down from the first leg in Playoffs. David Mirfin's winner at Sincil Bank cancelled out Fletcher's equaliser after Onuora's early opener. City could take heart from the fact that every second leg that had been played up until that point had seen the team that were behind take the lead at some point.....could the Imps continue the trend?

Going to the Galpharm isn't easy at the best of times, let alone when you are already losing. A stadium that has a fantastic and intimidating atmosphere certainly wouldn't have been our first choice of venue for the second leg. Over 3000 City fans made the trip to west Yorkshire and got a classic to enjoy.

The Imps started the game well, forcing several attacks but none of these came to anything. Kevin Ellison then clashed with Iffy Onuora, the two arguing and Peter Jackson then joined in the argument as he went nose-to-nose with the man on loan to the Imps from Stockport.

Worthington had the game's first effort but it failed to trouble Marriott before Bailey sent a cross behind the goal. Yeo sent a long range effort well over the bar. Richardson almost fed Yeo through but the striker failed to connect with the ball. Schofield shot over before Rachubka produced a stunning save to Deny Yeo at close range.

Booth's effort was saved by Marriott before the Imps unleashed a counter-attack. Gain almost capitalised on Yeo and Fletcher's good work, but Sodje managed to deflect his shot out for a throw. Fletcher headed a deep Ellison cross wide before the Imps won a corner. Rachubka claimed the corner but he didn't get anywhere near another City corner just minutes later, Jamie McCombe heading inches wide of the post.

Fletcher missed an easy chance but it wasn't long before the Imps were in the lead. Mark Bailey pumped a clearance back into the box. Rachubka collided with a defender and left Butcher with an open goal to pop his right footed volley into. The goal sent the Imps fans crazy and City were level.

66 seconds later and the Imps weren't level anymore....they were winning. Richardson provided a pass to Bailey and the bald defender's first touch was excellent. He controlled it and smashed it from just outside the area and now the Imps fans were well and truly in heaven. City had gone from being 2-1 down to 3-2 up within the same amount of time as it would take Jonathan Ross to annoy somebody.

,arroptt saved Booth's header before Rachubka broke through one-on-one with Rachukba. The former Man United goalkeeper blocked the shot relatively easily and City would live to regret missing that opportunity.

Yeo started the second half with another Rachubka save from Yeo. Huddersfield fans were claiming a handball against Ben Futcher when the defender handballed inside the area.....it wasn't given because he was two feet away from the player who kicked the ball at the time.

City had a habit of throwing away leads during the season though. The Imps were the first team to take any points at Swansea City during the season, taking a 2-2 draw after leading 2-0. It was a common habit of the Imps during the season and it caused our season to look a bit like we were lucky to make the playoffs, when infact we were easily good enough for automatic promotion.

The tie was back at 3-3 when Booth was clipped by McCombe when the ball was going out for a goalkick. Pike awarded a penalty and Schofield placed it away to bring Huddersfield back into the tie and restore that atmosphere that Huddersfield needed.

City were now permanently on the back foot and McAliskey wasted a chance just seconds after coming off the bench. Town were wasting chance after chance and the rare City attack was always countered.

There were just 7 minutes to go when the ball fell to Rob Edwards on the edge of the box. The former Chesterfield man hit it first time and it sailed past Marriott and into the net to restore Huddersfield's overall lead.

City were immediately all out attack but chances were still proving few and far between. The last chance fell to Simon Yeo just a few yards out, however, Yeo typically missed from this distance and saw his shot hit Rachukba's rear end and that was it as far as the tie was concerned.

Huddersfield went on to win the Playoffs, beating Mansfield 4-1 on penalties in the final.

MATCH 7 : Gutsy Imps fail to progress

Discussion started by theimps.tk (IP Logged), 21/06/2008 14:22

theimps.tk
21/06/2008 14:22

MATCH 7 : Gutsy Imps fail to progress

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net