A Complete Lack of Surprise : Part 6 : The Summer
By Nathan Jackson
December 31 2005
The summer was a busy time at Sincil Bank, especially in the transfer market as several established players left Sincil Bank. However, as the names left, more came in. City had a great pre-season but the league form didn't start fantastically but there was definatly a night to remember.
Well another season was over and City had yet again failed to gain promotion. Simon Yeo had already announced he was going to leave to play for the New Zealand Knights but Keith remained optimistic about the other out of contract players signing. The first to agree contracts with the quartet of Peter Folkes, Lee Frecklington, Oliver Ryan and Chris Gordon.
June 2nd was a mixed day for the Imps, Gareth McAuley was called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the first time and he got his first cap with a substitute appearance against Germany, however, this day also marked the confirmation Richard Butcher had opted to move to Oldham, a move no-one could begrudge him and to be honest, his performances since coming back from injury in the 2003/4 season, didn’t really see him deserve a new contract.
The following week saw another first team player depart as Ben Futcher made a controversial, money-motivated move to Boston United and the fact that he moved to them, rather than one of the several championship clubs who were after him, rightly saw Keith say that Futcher had no ambition and again, like Butcher, this is a departure we haven’t really missed as we now have considerably better defenders at the club.
Gary Taylor-Fletcher, a player who was undeservedly released, signed for Huddersfield and one day after that, City signed Gary Birch from relegated Kidderminster Harriers, a move that didn’t exactly inspire a lot of Imps fans. Within a few days, Alan Marriott and Paul Morgan, easily the best 2 players during the 2004/5 season, signed new 3 year contracts and City also signed teenage defender Luke Foster from Sheffield Wednesday.
City midfielder then appearance on a bed with half-naked Peterborough United manager, Barry Fry as the half-hearted midfielder joined the Posh. I personally wasn’t disappointed to see him go because his lacklusture, “I don’t give a ****” attitude to playing for the club was probably the reason we didn’t get promoted last season.
The fixture list was then announced and City had a very tough start against playoff semi-final losers, Northampton Town and also faced tricky opposition in the form of Chester, Notts County, Oxford, Rushden and Carlisle in the opening month. The same day and it was announced that another half-arsed player, this time Kevin Sandwith had departed Sincil Bank and went to the team that City had defeat in the playoffs, Macclesfield Town.
City were drawn against Championship side Crewe in the Carling Cup. The Friday afterwards and City signed an abundance of players including Kidderminster’s Dean Keates, Watford’s duo of Omari Coleman and former Imps’ player, Paul Mayo, Swindon’s Steve Robinson, Scarborough duo, Scott Kerr and Colin Cyran, and Huddersfield’s Nat Brown. Bloomer also agreed a new contract at Sincil Bank.
Then the pre-season began with 2 wins in Ireland, a 2-1 victory over Sligo before a comfortable 4-0 victory over Coleraine. City’s first friendly in England was away at Grantham and the Imps won 2-0 and having a fairly comfortable afternoon. If you’re interested in going into a more in-depth report of this game and to see photos, click 2005/6 on the menu and follow the links.
Goal 2010 was announced and the first step towards this was securing the full time services of Gary Simpson, who had been running his own company and coaching part time at Sincil Bank. Two trialists joined City for the 7-0 win at Boston Town and although Dunston Brewery Foundation striker, Graeme Armstrong didn’t do enough to impress, Meheta Molango did enough to earn a second chance. City also beat Brigg Town 2-0 on this day.
A confident victory at Lincoln United was followed by a confident 4-1 rout of Gainsborough Trinity. City continued their perfect pre-season with a 1-0 win over Rotherham at Sincil Bank after a largely forgettable 1-0 victory. The next day and Sleaford Town became the latest team to lose to the Imps, this time by a 3-1 scoreline. Just as it was announced that Molango had earnt himself a loan move from Brighton, the Imps lost their 100% pre-season record with a 0-0 draw at Conference New Boys, Altrincham. City were then eliminated from the Lincolnshire Senior Cup on penalties by Boston.
The last Sunday before the season began saw the Imps Community Day where the Imps revealed their new away kit, with help from X Factor failures, 2 to Go. It was a good day overall but Grimsby because the first team to beat the Imps in a friendly when they won 1-0 in another forgettable match as both teams chose to experiment with squad rotation. However, City did get back to winning ways the next day when a 3-1 win which saw a miracle, not only did Asamoah score (a miracle in itself) but he scored twice.
Now 20 minutes have passed since you fainted at the shock of Asamoah scoring TWICE, then came a great day for the club and especially one 18 year old as Jack Hobbs completed a dream move to Liverpool in a deal which could potentially be worth a massive £750,000 and also guarantees the Imps a friendly against the Premiership giants during the 2005 summer. Jeff Hughes completed his “will he, won’t” he transfer to Sincil Bank just days later and Marvin Robinson also joined the Imps on a short term deal. Imps record appearance holder Grant Brown then returned to Sincil Bank to manage the youth team.
So then it came, the first game of the 2005/6 season and the visitors were Northampton Town. The Cobblers and the Imps had been made the two favourites for the titles by several major bookmakers. However, this game was ultimately a let-down as both sides were still tired after tough pre-season schedules. Pedj Bojic opened the scoring for the Cobblers just after half time, however, Gary Birch surprisingly equalised with 20 minutes to go after Northampton had controlled the game and although it seemed that City would go on to win the game, it ended a disappointing 1-1 draw, not a result that either side would have hoped for.
4 days later and a tricky trip to Chester was on the horizon. Chester had signed several top quality players during the summer…..and Marcus Richardson. City however dominated the game and took a deserved lead not long before half time when Nat Brown headed in from close range before Gary Birch volleyed in from 12 yards to give the Imps a commanding 2-0 lead. However, when Chester put a cross into the box in the second half, Marriott caught the ball before being pushed horrendously by a Chester striker and Davis tidied up and made it 2-1 and Chester got a last minute penalty despite the foul appearing to be out of the area, and Paul Morgan clearly winning the ball, however, Morgan was sent off and Michael Branch scored the penalty to make it 2-2.
A trip to Notts County followed and the glory-hunters who had made the trip in April, where City took 2,552, decides not to show up and little over 1,000 made the 34 mile trip. City actually played some of the best football of the season early on and took a well deserved lead just before the 20 minute mark when Nat Brown sent a beautiful volley into the side of the goal. However, just before half time, Notts County got a very undeserved goal when Swaffham’s shot was heading towards Marriott before taking a massive deflection off Jamie McCombe that took it past the keeper. After that and City effectively gave up and Julien Baudet gave County the lead not long after half time. It ended 2-1 to City and 2 points from 3 games wasn’t a great start from an apparent challenger for the title.
Lee Beevers won his 4th cap for the Imps the week and Marvin Robinson staked his claim for a first team spot when he scored a hatrick against York in the reserves. Oxford were the next visitors to Sincil Bank and took an early lead when Davis headed past an out of position Marriott in the 2nd minute. However, City did equalise, much against the run of play just after half time and then, get ready to faint again, Asamoah scored from the edge of the area to give the Imps a 2-1 victory.
Crewe had visited Lincoln during the pre-season for a friendly at United and won 2-0, however, it was a far different story against City and the Imps took a lead in the 18th minute when Lee Beevers produced a fantastic finish from 25 yards. Meheta Molango then doubled the lead after 28 minutes when he volleyed in from the edge of the box after a goalmouth scramble. Walker got a goal back for the visitors just before half time. However, Birch got his brace within 2 minutes of each other, his first came from close range as he was left with an open goal from 2 yards after the post was hit, and his second in the 60th minute came from the edge of the area and curved around the post and into the net. Robinson completed the scoring with a close range header for the Imps and it was a night when the Imps quite literally, could have gone into double figures.
City’s reward for beating Crewe, was an away trip to Premiership side, Fulham, correction, the “Pre-Al Fayed division 3 relegation candidates”, however, City had a more urgent matter when they travelled to Rushden and Diamonds. City dominated the game and took a deserved although unexpected lead in the first half. City won a free kick about 30 yards out, however, not many fans were expecting a goal as City hadn’t scored directly from a free kick in the league since Kingsley Black’s effort against Exeter in March 2002. However, Dean Keates stepped up, the ball was hit with venom and dipped viciously before entering the net. However, this was not enough for the Imps because as soon as Morgan came on as a substitute, the Imps’ dominant performance collapse and ex-Imp, Greg Pearson equalised for the hosts.
Bank Holiday Monday saw the visit of Carlisle United, recently promoted back from the conference. To be quite honest, the game was pretty even although City defiantly edged it in terms of chances, however, Carlisle had the best effort when a shot from 12 yards hit the post. That was the only real noteworthy action in the match and it ended 0-0, a result that saw City finish the month 14th.
