A couple of weeks ago when this game was all about the "coupe de monde" (World cup) making its only UK appearance on its world tour here. However since the tragic and sudden death of former Imps manager the focus of the match had changed for many Imps supporters. As this was the first home match we have had since he died at his home after his Maccelsfield Town side had played at Notts County.
Over 5000 tickets had been sold pre match and fans could pay on the gate. The picture below was taken at about 6.55 and is a sight that may not be seen at the bank for a while, a cue to get into the ground!!! i kid you not my friends i kid you not!
You could just tell it a different type of match. It took us a while to park up,the cue was at least 25 deep at the fish and chip shop out side the ground, there were no programme sellers about (i thought they had sold out!) Once inside the ground i was told i had to change seats as from where my seat is i couldn't see the Big screen that had been set up by FIFA set up give fans a clear video of all the crappy official adverts from world cup sponsors,woops sorry i mean i couldn't see the world cup being lifted! It didn't matter to me anyway because we never sit in our season ticket seats anyway but surly the club should have told me before the match via email or letter about this? As it just placed more work on the stewards who already had a lot on there plate tonight. In fact its only down to the fact i know them all i found out about this.(although i dont know them as well as a couple of them know each other)
In the center circle a plinth had been erected. For what we thought the trophy would be lifted. In the pre match build up England legend Martin Peters, who scored the 2nd goal in England's 4-2 win over West Germany in the 1966 final was interviewed by Lincolns MC. Martin was a total gentleman and spoke with a huge passion about the match. He must have been asked the same questions thousands of times since 1966 but never once did he come across as being bored with it all. I really can't see the likes of our current "hero's" the likes of Gerrard, Terry etc etc acting with such dignity and class in 40 years time
The big screen wasn't to bad though. although there were the normal adverts and stuff there was also some nice features and highlights from world cups gone by. (Italy in 1982 being the main feature) Lincoln had prepared a tribute video for Keith and FIFA lets us play it which was a very nice touch. FIFA get alot of flack in the British press but on this occasion i take my hat off to them. The video brought back alot of great memory's from Keiths two stints in charge of the Imps The highlights being our 6-3 aggregate semi final win over Scunthorpe in the playoffs back in 2003. Specking of which isn't it great to see Brain Laws making a total balls up of it at Burnley? Also in the programme there were lots of tributes written from the world of football to Keith including one from Mr Laws. Wasn't he the man who when asked why he didn't shake hands with Keith after there 5-3 first leg kicking gave this answer "i only shake hands with gentlemen and i didn't see a gentleman in front of me? " He did give the big man a great tribute though.
Before the match there was a minutes silence followed by the crowd singing a verse form the football hyme "adie with me" and then a minutes applause. With a picture of Keith on the big screen. All very moving and touching. Although Keith was probably looking down,eating a bourbon biscuit and thinking why are they making all this fuss over me!
R.I.P Keith.
It was also great to see so many (me included) wearing yellow socks in honour of Keith. The sports shops in Lincolnshire must have made a fortune. This however is the only time i plan to wear my trouser bottoms on the inside of my socks!
Oh there was a game tonight! Both sides were in the bottom 7 and a win for the Imps would draw them level on points with Hereford and take them 11 points ahead of Grimsby having played the same amount of games. Although with Grimsby playing the next day The Imps would again have a game in hand. Which is to be played at Home to Dagenham and Redbridge on Tuesday night.
The game starter with both sides looking a little nervous with both sides misplacing passes and knocking the ball out of play alot. After 11 minutes though the Imps made the break through. On loan striker David Somma with a great finish after holding off the Hereford defence. Scott Kerr with the through ball. It was a great finish and it was Sommas second goal in three games for the Imps.
Although the crowd was over 6,000 the atmosphere was still a little down. Hereford started to knock the ball around and took control of the match leaving the Imps chasing shadows at times.
Then on 21 minutes the Imps doubled there lead when Matt Saunders hit a 35 yarder in to top corner. It was his first goal for Lincoln since arriving on loan from Fulham.
Hereford didnt let there heads drop and continued to have more of the ball. Hereford got back into the game in the 42nd minute when City again messed up when they had a couple of chances to clear it. So City were a tad lucky to go into the break 2-1 up.
HT 2-1
So on to the reason some of the crowd had come to see,the world cup Trophy in all its glory! The stand was set up infront of the right hand(as we were looking) of the St Andrews stand. It took a while but eventually Martin Peters lifted up the cup for all to see. Here's a nice little fact. The only people who are allowed to touch the world cup are either heads of state or people who have won the world cup. Hence it is always carried around in its box. Some people where disappointed it didn't come out on to the pitch but i was just grateful to see it. Its the closes that i am going to get to it.
The First 20 minutes of the game were very poor from a Lincoln view point. Rob Burch in goal was having a nightmare from crosses and balls into the box either having to gather them at the second attempt or rabbit punching the balls and letting the defenders deal with it. In his defence he was the star of the show last week and Rochdale by all account's gobbling up everything that came his way. Tonight he was doing his frighten kitten impression.
After one such goof the bulls nearly got it back to 2-2 but city got in not just one but two goal line blocks to keep them level. it was to be the turning point.
The Imps made it 3-1 when Saunders blasted home from 12 yards from a pass from the outside of David Somma,s boot. The game then petered out and the Imps gained a great 3 points.
The down side to tonight's match was that Ian Pearce and Moses Swabiu both limped off bringing the total number of injured center halves to four. With only Danny Hone being fit. We all know we wont see Adam Watts this season so lets hope we can get a couple of the other four back ASAP.
There were lots of plus points from the match but for me the biggest point was the forward link up play between Drew Broughton and David Somma was something we have been missing for far to long now.
Is it your turn or mine for the tea dear?
Great credit must also go to both sets of players as it would have been easy to have got carried away with all that was going on pre match. But knuckled down and put on a good show. The Stewards in the Stacey West did a grand job as normal. I was even told to get away from the front of the stand when we made it 3-1 by a certain team member who may or may not be close to a male team member. As we left the stadium the tribute video was played on the screen again and the helicopter set of to France with the World cup for the next leg on its world tour. Lets hope it doesnt go back there after the World Cup Final.
Admission - season ticket
Programme- Great Tribute to Keith 10/10
Food sausage roll- crap.
Imps performance 7/10
Man of the Match David Somma.
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