We've played this lot before : Swansea City

By Nathan Jackson
April 5 2005

Since returning to this Division in 2001/2, Swansea have met the Imps 7 times with various results. City have won all 3 meetings at Sincil Bank but have failed to win at the Vetch. Here we look at all the results of the games against the Swans since their return to the basement division.

Swansea returned to this Division in 2001/2 and became City's 2nd opponents at Sincil Bank in that season. After a horrendous first half display, a monsoon like rain storm changed the game in Lincoln's favour. A cross from the left was spectaculy volleyed home by Lee Thorpe from 8 or so yards out. Nice passing movement saw Ian Hamilton eventually take a shot against Swansea custodian Roger Freestone, the keeper could only parry it into Lee Thorpe's path but a defender brought the Imps top scorer down. Steve Holmes smashed in the penalty to give the Imps a 2 goal advantage. A Stuart Bimson ball forward saw Lee Thorpe latch onto it and run forward before chipping the ball over the helpless Freestone.

The return game at the Vetch that season ended 0-0. In 2002/3, Swansea were visitors to the Bank a few days after Christmas. A game that City had dominated looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw when in the 90th minute, a ball into the box was chipped into the path of Paul Smith who shot, it came back off the post and hit Kristian O'Leary's knee before trickling into the net to sent bottom of the table Swansea into dispair.

The return game at the Vetch just under a month later turned out to be the only defeat for Lincoln in a run of 17 games. City had quietly controlled the game and even looked to have scored midway through the first half when Futcher rose to head in Bimson's corner but it was disallowed for pushing against Freestone. However, just before half time, Swansea took the lead when a cross from on-loan Leon Brittain found another one of Swansea's 10 million loanees that season, Kevin Nugent at the far post and the striker's looping header went over Marriott.

Cropper should have equalised but his shot from near enough 2 yards out went straight at Freestone. John Williams gave the Swans a 2-0 lead midway through the half when after City failed to clear a corner, he smashed the ball into the net and it would turn out to be the turning point in Swansea's season as they pulled themselves out of the relegation places and avoided going down by 1 point.

Last season saw the Imps visit the Vetch in October and go into a very quick 2-0 lead. A Roger Freestone free kick went straight to Richardson who burst up field before GTF got in a shot that was blocked by Freestone, Liburd picked up the ball, past it to GTF who passed it to Richard Butcher who played a neat one two with Richardson before slotted the ball coolly home to give the Imps a 13th minute lead. Minutes later, a scramble in the box saw Richard Duffy try to play basketball giving the Imps a penalty which Paul Mayo put away....just. Robinson quickly got one back for Swansea from long range. City should have been 3-1 up just before half time when Futcher's close range header appeared to clearly close the line before being headed out by a Swansea defender but it was ruled as now goal. However, Futcher did get a goal midway through the 2nd half, Swansea's overrated Lee Trundle's mishit shot hit Futcher and went in for an own goal and it finished 2-2.

The game at Sincil Bank saw Swansea go into the break 1-0 up despite being dominated,it was one of the very few times during the 1st half Swansea had been on the attacking foot and Lincoln should have been at least 5 up before Swansea scored there's which resulted from a corner and Rees slotted home. Justice prevailed however as Lincoln dominated the second half as well and a fierce shot from Gain and a header from Yeo gave the Imps a well deserved victory.

This season saw the Imps travel to the Vetch and it is the only game I've missed this season (and in the last 4 years) and that was only because my wallet was nicked on holiday in Butlins. Anyway, Swansea controlled the game with City hardly getting a look in. Ireikpen put the ball away in the 3rd minute after a corner for the only goal of the game. GTF did have a chance to equalise late on but his penalty was saved by Gueret.