Imps make it 5 in a row against Silkmen

By Nathan Jackson
February 16 2008

It looked as though it was going to be an afternoon of frustration as City wasted chance after chance in an effort to get something from a game against Macclesfield after the visitiors opened. City dominated the game but rarely looked dangeous as several chances went begging before John-Lewis, Forrester and N'Guessan goals turned it around for the Imps.

City started the game with Kerr being fouled on the edge of the box, but Singh failed to give a free kick and Macc won a corner. Ashton smashed it over the Stacey West stand before a City free kick went straigh at the wall. City pressed again but failed to create a goalscoring opportunity before Evans recieved a Thomas through-ball and got behind the defence, Marriott raced out to try and meet him but the Macc man breezed past him and made it 1-0 to Macc.

Green volleyed over for the hosts before City won a freekick on the 23rd minute, yes, the game was that slow. The free kick was wasted before Beevers apparantly fouled Ashton whilst trying to get a shot in on goal. Marriott tipped a Reid effort over the bar before Forrester's low shot was saved by Brain before his followed up went wide of the target.

Brain produced a super-save to stop Stallard bringing the Imps deservedly level, unfortunately the keeper was injured when Stallard went for the follow up and Brain was replaced by Lee in the Macc goal. It was turning into a frustrating half for the Imps and Macc almost undeservedly got a 2 goal lead when Green volleyed just over. The half time whistle blew with Macc somehow managing to go in the leaders.

City's early corner was claimed by Lee before Stallard was fouled, only for the free kick agian to be wasted. Stallard hit a volley against the cbar before John-Lewis tried to chip the ball on the outside of his boot, failing and it went wide despite the youngster having an open goal to aim at.

Dunfield was booked for a foul on LJL before being replaced by Ashmore. N'Guessan came on for Wright before Macc almost scored with their first chance of the second half when Symes broke through, the shot going just wide of the mark.

Good work from N'Guessan saw his cross find Forrester completely unmarked in the box, but the striker headed wide when under no pressure and it appeared as though it was going to be one of those days. Forrester crossed the ball in on the 72nd minute, Stallard headed it against the post and John-Lewis finally got City's equaliser and it was thoroughly deserved as he tapped in from 5 yards.

Forrester and Stallard broke two-on-one against the Macc defence but Jamie's ball went straight to the goalkeeper. However, good work from Stallard saw him play Forrester in and City's top scorer made no mistake as his left footed shot crept across the goal and into the net.

City were now cruising and only a slip from Stallard prevented City from a likely third within a minute of the second. Blackman replaced Thomas for Macc before John-Lewis launched a good counter attack which Dany N'Guessan completed with a beautiful curling left footed shot that went in off the post and City were 3-1 heading into injury time.

Brown replaced Stallard and Ryan replaced Green. Ryan almost broke through but he failed to get around the last defender, but neverthelee City were comfortable 3-1 winners in the end.