Lincoln City 3-3 Braintree Town

who says romance is dead?

Valentines day. A day for spending with your nearest and dearest, the love of your life. So it made perfect sense to go and watch Lincoln City take on Braintree Town in the Blue Square Bet prem. Only two of the Retford Imps made it to the game with Felice missing in action as it were. The word on the street was that he had taken his good lady for a romantic Happy meal for two in Markham Moor MacDonalds dressed in an all white suit very similar to that worn by the early nineties WWF star Brother Love. Take a look at the video below starring Brother Love and you will get a good idea how he was dressed (allegedly of course). I just hope he didn't get BBQ sauce over his white slip on shoes. He did have on a red shirt though so at least he was wearing City colours. So fair play to Del boy for that.
  Whilst men all over the world were sitting uncomfortably in restaurants, paying about 30% more for a meal for two than you would any other day of the year listening to mushy music, Baz and myself tucked into our favourite pre match meal. That being a large mixed Donner Kebab in the Topkapi Kebab shop on Lincoln highstreet. Whilst we munched our food we watched a few music videos on the plasma screen. The one that really caught Baz's eye was Rizzle Kicks latest work "Mama do the hump". I was a little unsure of its musical quality so i texted Felice to see if he had any views on their work. He didn't reply so maybe the Happy Meals had done their job and he scored off the pitch?

In the return match in August, City lost 1-0 and were truly dreadful. Braintree may be one of the smaller sides in the division but they are also one of the most well drilled and organised. Going into the game they sat comfortably in midtable and have had some impressive results this campaign. A 5-0 win over Grimsby being one of the highlights. As we entered the stadium the first thing that struck you was the fact that it was going to be a low crowd in. Clearly Felice wasn't the only one under the thumb., and more fool those who did stay away as this game pretty much had everything.

Braintree were very fast out of the traps and created a decent chance within 20 seconds of the game starting which brought a decent save from Anyon in the Lincoln goal. Anyon then booted the ball down field which new signing Jefferson Louis latched onto and headed into the goal to give the Imps the lead inside the first minute. A dream debut moment for the latest international player to wear the red and white stripes of Lincoln City. Braintree didn't lose their heads at going behind early as lesser sides would have done and continued with their short sharp passing around the City box, a tactic that was paying them dividends as City were chasing shadows. They werent behind for long as Jai Reeson finished of a decent move with a smart finish from inside the City box. 1-1 and only four minutes gone. The tone of the game had been set and it looked like both sides had decided that attack was the best form of defence. Quite how no more goals were scored in the first half is some what of a mystery.

The second half was even more open. City started off on the front food penning the Iron back in their own half. City were unable to make their dominance count though and were hit with a sucker punch in the 54th minute when Reeson got his second of the game when his corner flew straight in leaving Anyon rather red faced. Just as Bratintree had done earlier in the game the Imps managed to hit straight back. When Tyrone Thompson first joined the club i wasn't impressed but he has slowly won me round and seems to be playing with much more confidence. A minute after City had gone behind he unleashed a shot from about 25 yards out which took a slight deflection and looped into the top corner of the visitors goal. The game was now real end to end stuff with Lincoln just about shading the contest.

Braintree looked like they had got the three points when they took the lead in the 87th minute. They were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty box which was curled low around the wall. Anyon did manage to get a hand to it but instead instead of pushing it round the post he pushed it into the path of Iron striker Assombolonga who made little mistake from close range. The 24 fans in the away section went mental (and fair play to them for making the journey; true die hards) City weren't finished however and hit back in added time at the end of the game when sub Louis Almond on loan from Blackpool buried the equaliser from a tight angle following a City corner. There was still time for even more late drama as Braintree were reduced to ten men and then had what looked like a very good claim for a penalty turned down with almost the last kick of the game. It was at the other end of the pitch to us but the pundits in BBC Lincolshire seemed to think it looked like a penalty. Of course i was disappointed that City didn't win the game. I always am but if we are going to draw then this is the way to do it. Both sides were going for the three points and it was a thoroughly entertaining match and watching Lincoln over the last few seasons i haven't been able to say that very often. And to think some folk missed it for a Happy meal. I did ask my other half if she wanted to attend the match tonight but she refused. Well after a great pre match kebab, and six goal thriller who's laughing now eh women?

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