Sincil Bank, home of Lincoln City based in Lincolnshire and play their trade in League One. Nicknamed the “Imps” as the Imp is the symbol of the city of Lincoln and can be found in stone at Lincoln Cathedral. My second visit to this ground after being in the away end with Mansfield 3 seasons ago which was memorable for all the right reasons!! Will today’s visit of Oxford United be just as good?
My late Grandfather was a fan of Lincoln City after living there for a number of years. Lincoln Cathedral was one of his favourite places to visit! In his later years he would usually ask me “how did Lincoln get on?” When I visited him. Back then, Lincoln were at the wrong end of League Two knocking on the door of the non league whereas today, they are in League One having just lost the play off final for the Championship! I wonder how my Grandad would feel about the club today if he was still here!?
My car is all fixed, but today with plenty of time to kill, I will be getting the train in to Lincoln, arrival with just under 2 hours to go before kick off, time for a drink! What better way to visit the Square Sail where the Mansfield fans descended on 3 years ago! “County’s going down!” And many other songs about Mansfield creating a deafening atmosphere in here that day… A lot quieter today mind. Time is up and it’s time for the game! The same walk that we marched 3 years ago and here I am! £24 to watch this League One tie! Right then!
The atmosphere is building up in the home end already! This is why I picked the singing section! They were incredible last time I visited! Let’s hope they can regenerate that atmosphere once again today! “We are imps! We are imps! We are imps!”
Kick Off! “At Sincil Bank! Since I was young! So proud to be! LCFC!” 8 minutes in and Oxford break forward, played in to Matt Taylor who’s in on goal… Keeper saves… Free kick given after he reached for the ball with his hand for the rebound…. That was silly!
“All I ever needed was the love you gave! And all I ever knew! Only you!” Brilliant from the Lincoln fans so far! 14th minute and Lincoln come forward down the right, played to Chris Maguire and he shoots early… It’s tipped on to the post!! So close! Would’ve been an audacious goal that!
“Hoist up your Lincoln flag! And hear the Red Imps sing! If you don’t join in I’ll sing on my own! Don’t wanna go home! Don’t wanna go hoooommmme! This is the best trip I’ve ever been on!” 16 minutes now and Lincoln play it out wide to the right, played across low, Luke McNally slides in and gets there… So close he nearly dragged that in with him but he clears the danger!
“Red & White army!” 18 minutes on the clock and Lincoln have a corner… A siren in the ground for that as well… Hmmm, it’s played short, crossed in… Lewis Montsma wins the header… Wide! 23 minutes now and Ryan Williams intercepts Lincoln in midfield and charges at goal, he gets to the edge of the box and he goes for goal… Straight at the keeper!
“Sing up for the boys! Make some fucking noise! Together we will March to victory! United we will stand! Touring all the land! City you’re the only team for me!” What a fan base they truly are! “Oxford! Clap clap clap Oxford!” Oxford fans have piped up at last. 40th minute and Lincoln come forward, played to Anthony Scully, edge of the box and he goes for the curler… OH! BRILLIANT!!! What a finish!! Lincoln have the lead!! 1-0! Bedlam in the home end!! “Oh Anthony Scully!” Lincoln fans singing his name!
Into stoppage time in the first half and Oxford come forward, played to Herbie Kane out to the right, 25 yards out and he shoots… Over! Lincoln remain in the lead at half time.
Second half, “Ally ally ally oh! LCFC! The Red & White army!” 49 minutes played and Oxford have a free kick on the right hand side, crossed in, flicked on, Matt Taylor is there… And he heads home! But he’s offside! No goal! It won’t count! Lincoln fans loving that one!
52nd minute and Oxford come forward down the left, played in low, comes to Gavin Whyte, he plays it back to Marcus McGuane on the edge of the box, he cuts onto his right foot and shoots, just wide! Oxford getting closer now! “Hoist up your Lincoln flag! And hear the Red Imps sing!” Lincoln fans not worried one bit!
56th minute and Lincoln come forward down the left, played across low to Chris Maguire down he goes… No penalty! Says the Referee! Play goes on, it comes to Morgan Whittaker, he takes a touch in the box and he shoots… And he finishes!!! 2-0!!! Fantastic finish! Lincoln double their lead!
“Red & White army!” 74th minute and Lincoln come forward down the left, Lewis Fiorini has it, he gets into the box and goes for the far corner, just wide! 77 minutes on the clock and Oxford come forward but Lincoln dispossess them, it’s loose, Liam Fiorini and Herbie Kane go for it, Herbie Kane goes in a bit recklessly there… He’s off! Red card! Silly from Kane there! “Cheerio cheerio cheerio!”
Oxford start to take the game to Lincoln trying to get back into this game but with a man down is proving to be a big ask! The Referee blows for full time! A good win for Lincoln!
FT: Lincoln City 2-0 Oxford United
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 10/10 – Truly one of the best fan bases in the country!! They didn’t stop all game along with the drum! As a Mansfield fan I have nothing but respect for the Lincoln City fans as they know how the cheer on their team!
- The Ground: 6/10 – Not the biggest fan of the ground but it does look better than last time I visited so I’ll give it an extra point! It’s very unique but for me, not in a good way especially for this level…
- Expense: 9/10 – £24 for this level isn’t bad! I saw 2 good goals and a red card and watched it all with a party atmosphere! Not bad!
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – A great day out all in all! A decent game with a even more decent crowd! I’m sure my late Grandad would love to see the club how they are now!!
34/40