The Year of Hell : March

By Nathan Jackson
December 12 2007

City's troubles in 2007 continued into March as City won just once in the League, although if it hadn't been for Nat Brown's stupid handball at Hartlepool then it would have been 2 wins. City featured on Sky once more, this time against Swindon but overall it was a miserable month for the Imps who lost 3 games, 2 of which to relegation candidates.

March started with Simon Rayner leaving the Imps to join Torquay United on loan. The Canadian keeper was getting his first taste of regular first team football since coming to Sincil Bank 3 years previously, in which time he only started 1 game where Marriott wasn't either suspended or injured.

City's first game of the month was a local derby against Mansfield Town. The Stags had been struggling in the League and it was obvious why. However, when Nathan Arnold made the most of a Lee Beevers challenge in the box, they won a penalty which Barry Conlon slotted home. Arnold made it 2-0 just after half time before Beevers was sent off for City. Forrester produced a late equaliser for the Imps but that was the last shot on target that City had.

In the week that followed City replaced Rayner by bringing in Robert Olejnik on loan from Aston Villa. Much like the keeper he was replacing, there was no point in him being at Sincil Bank as he didn't play a single first team minute.

City made the trip up to Hartlepool and stood up reasonably well against a team unbeaten in their last 19 games. Paul Green gave City the lead early on and Forrester hit the bar in the second half. City seemed to be heading for a win but then Nat Brown decided to raise his hand in the box to a cross and Hartlepool had a penalty.

Ritchie Barker, a striker who City had tried to sign a few weeks previously from Mansfield, stepped up and made it 1-1, that came in the 93rd minute and the Pool had a goal disallowed a further 45 seconds later.

Junior Mendes joined the Imps on loan from Notts County, a sure-fire sign that City were in trouble as Mendes had played previously for several sides who've failed in the Playoffs whilst he's been there.

However, he impressed in City's home game against Barnet. City had scored an impressive 12 goals in the previous 3 meetings between the two sides but only a Lee Frecklington stunner in the second half seperated the sides. It would be City's last win for 6 weeks.

Weir-Daley was recalled by Nottingham Forest and he was sent out on loan against quickly, this time to Bradford City.

The home game against Swindon live on Sky saw Alan Marriott break the club record for most appearances by a goalkeeper. He couldn't stop Swindon though as Roberts, Corr and Peacock goals sailed past Marriott in between two Mark Stallard goals for the Imps.

The final incident of March came on the final day of the month when City travelled to Rochdale. Future Imp Louis Dodds was in the line-up for Rochdale in a game that was bossed by the Imps. However, several wasted chances later and an 89th minute Dagnall goal, followed by Rundle's 94th minute goal sealed the win for the hosts.

Things weren't going to get much better in April.