The Year from Hell : September

By Nathan Jackson
December 31 2007

After an August that saw us finish the month in 4th position, the Imps went to the bottom of the table within 4 weeks as 5 defeats in September suddenly made everyone realise Schofield was rubbish. City faced 4 of the teams that are currently near us in the table and lost every single one, even though we controlled several of those games, starting with a 1-0 defeat at Dagenham and Redbridge.

The month started with a trip down to Essex for City's first ever League visit to Dagenham and Redbridge. City controlled long periods of the game and wasted many chances to win the game, but unfortunately a Paul Benson header just before the end meant that the Imps became the first ever team to lose to Dagenham in the Football League.

News was scarce in the week following before the Imps and Bradford City met in an emotional game, the first time the teams had met in the League since the fire. City took a very debateable lead when Louis Dodds's shot cannoned off a defender on the line, the linesman however ruled it had gone over the line and City had the lead. Omar Daley quickly equalised for Bradford before a late winner condemned City to back to back League defeats for the first time since March.

After being given a bye for the first round of the JP Trophy, City were drawn against Hartlepool United in the 2nd round, a very tricky game against one of League One's best teams. This was quickly followed by City destroying Darlington's reserves 5-2.

City travelled to Darlo with hopes of regaining a bit of form btu luck was not on our side as Darlington were awarded a throw in, despite that it had clearly come off of their player last. In typical fashion Darlington scored from this with Pawel Abbott smashing home just before the break. Less than a minute into the second half we were 2-0 down as Ravenhill easily beat Marriott. All of a sudden City had turned into a side looking over their shoulders.

With no more news between that game and the Grimsby game the Imps were looking for their seemingly annual home win over the Mariners. Alas, Justin Whittle gave Grimsby a surprise lead before Jamie Forrester levelled with City's first shot on target. City dominated the rest of the game but succombed to a Ciaran Toner penalty.

A frustratingly poor City display at Wrexham saw yet another defeat. Mark Stallard ran one on one with the goalkeeper but refused to shoot until it was too late and from that attack Wrexham took an undeserved lead when a curling shot sailed past Marriott. City tried in vein to get an equaliser but found themselves in the dropzone after this defeat.

Just over 2 weeks later and City were managerless.