By Nathan Jackson
March 17 2006

Former Lincoln City and Boston United defender, Ben Futcher has backed the Imps to overcome the men from York Street. Futcher left Sincil Bank for York Street in the summer but moved to Blundell Park in January and after knowing both team's inside out, he has confidently predicted a win for City.

Futcher joined the Imps after spells with Doncaster, Oldham and Stalybride in 2002/3 and went on to become a fan favourite as he ended the season as top scorer and was crowned as the Young Player of the Season. 2 seasons later and Futcher became the most shocking transfer out of Sincil Bank as he left the Imps for Boston United in a move he deemed as a "career move". Futcher had previously been linked with moves to many Championship and even a few Premiership clubs so how a move to a side that had never finished above the Imps was a "career move", no-one knows, *coughs*£££££*coughs*. Futcher however has backed the club he made 142 appearances for by predicting them to win. He said to the Echo,

"If I was a betting man, I would put money on Lincoln, they are on a great run and on course to reach the play-offs for a fourth successive season. It looks as though they will take some stopping. On their day, Lincoln can beat anybody and I think they will have too much presence and power for Boston. These derby matches are always tight affairs because neither side wants to lose. Over the past few seasons, Lincoln have had a good record against Boston and I believe it will continue with a 2-1 victory."

Out of the 3 league games at York Street between the 2 sides, Boston have won once and City twice. Boston's win came in the first ever league game between the 2 sides and they have failed to beat the Imps since. Earlier this season, the Imps controlled a no-thrills goalless draw at Sincil Bank but Futcher believes the pitch could be a major contributor towards the result.

"It's a heavy surface - even more so at this time of the year, Boston will be used to it, but it is something Lincoln will have to come to terms with quickly if they are to impose themselves on the game. The Pilgrims have a decent home record and, I believe, that is because York Street is a difficult place to play. It's a tight little ground, which is not very welcoming. Most of Lincoln's players have played there before, so they will know how to adapt to the conditions"

Futcher will visit Sincil Bank next week as the Imps face Grimsby Town in a tense derby game.