Imps fail to make chances count against Cambridge
By Nathan Jackson
October 22 2011
Lincoln City lost at Cambridge on Friday night to remain in the relegation zone. The Imps enjoyed large spells of possession against their loftier opponents but failed to really test the Cambridge goal, and two goals from the hosts meant that Imps lost yet again.
The Imps have been guilty in recent weeks of enough opportunities to have won five games, and appeared to be a familiar tale when for the second game in a row Sam Smith found himself behind the goalkeeper and with an open goal at his mercy. Against Mansfield he didn’t shoot when in this situation and at Cambridge he produced a tame effort that was eventually cleared by a backtracking defence.
City were enjoying plenty of possession against Cambridge, who were one of the Blue Square’s form teams and Mitchell Nelson had a header go wide from a Nicolau cross. Smith and McCallum both failed to make chances count before Cambridge finally started coming into the game but were failing to challenge Anyon.....and then typically, when they did get a shot on target, it went in.
It came from a free kick won when Christophe fouled Shaw. Carew stepped up and curled the set piece around the wall and into the net. City knew that they would still be in the drop zone unless they scored with the rest of the division still to play this weekend.
Power curled a free kick well over the bar before Shaw hit an effort over City’s bar from distance. O’Keefe was booked to end the half.
McCallum fired wide from 20 yards before a brilliant cross into the box was headed tamely wide by Smith. Sinclair was booked soon afterwards for a vicious tackle on Dunk. Charles replaced Gash for the hosts.
Perry replaced Smith for City. McCallum fired over and was the main attacking threat for City. He hit the post for an Imps side who were enjoying the most the possession but failing to do much with it. Watts was booked for a foul on Dunk before O’Keefe went off for Thompson. Christophe headed wide for City.
Just as the game looked like it was heading for a 1-0 win for Cambridge, they grabbed a rather undeserved second as Murtagh and Dunk combined before Carew smashed it into the net from the edge of the box.
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Although we missed some chances they also missed a lot, but they had a striker that took his 2 chances very well, the first from the free kick was excellent, and the second made to look very easy, controlled then picked his spot.
I expect us to lose to Alfreton next week, although they have tried to help us by having 2 men sent off today, it just seems the more important the game the less we're up for it. Couldn't believe how resigned the City fans were for the result as well as how apathetic they were about a new manager coming in.
I can understand the apathy because supporting Lincoln is like watching Groundhog Day.
Quote:kevin6
Its very difficult maintaining a high level of interest when the club is in the mess it is. A yearly change of manager, and the visual dross we watch does not help.
I can understand the apathy because supporting Lincoln is like watching Groundhog Day.
Brilliant!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:10:23:17:20:05 by PoshImp.