(Thanks to Lincoln Vitals man Neil Hobbs for the match report - our look at the LCM players contributions will follow shortly)
LCFFC 6 Lincoln College XI 1
As the morning mist kissed a timely au revoir to the playing surface, two sets of Lincoln fans limbered up to do their bit for Help the heroes. Lincoln City Fans FC would don the green 125 anniversary shirts aided by former soldier and hero Simon Yeo with the Lincoln College XI using the current grey kit. The scene was aptly reminiscent of an early morning silence on the western front battlefields of France , Belgium and so many other places where our troops have given their lives and limbs for the future of their country. A fitting start for this was to be the first step in the Lincoln City Fans bid to do their bit on the football field and the roads of Britain for the Help for Heroes cause.
With conditions not conducive to his on the ground passing game manager David Beck elected to mix it up a bit. Finns and Marren in the middle would win it in the swampy centre and dig it out to the grassy flanks. Thereafter Jamie and Ryan would race down the line to feed the physical presence of Dan Taylor and the inventive and evergreen sharp and predatory instincts of Simon Yeo. Captain Golly marshalled the back four as the college had two early chances before the Imps class and game plan won the right to play. Right back Jordan in particular had a superb game instrumental in much of the build up play not to mention a goal line clearance in the second half.
Ten minutes in Fins inswinging right foot corner found Captain Jon Ghoulsbra, his towering header was blocked but Jamie was on hand to prod through the melee with the ball deemed to have crossed the line by the Grimsby referee John Spurr. Moments later a five man one touch move straight from the training ground found Yeo who drew the keeper to drill into the corner from 20 yards. Ryan Varley a constant threat down the right flank, with Jordan ever eager to overlap, then threw over a sublime cross for Yeo to net his brace with a header into the roof of the net. Another one touch move starting at the back saw Dan Taylor shake off his defenders to curl in a superb twenty yard effort passed the onrushing keeper. Dan has a touch for a big man that makes him so much more than a traditional big target man. Another superb move saw Jamie (ex Lincoln Moorlands) twist and turn down the left before skinning his fullback. The pinpoint cross found James at the near post who headed on for Dan to complete his brace by showing quick feet to fire home.
Despite the 5-0 half time deficit the College and Co Op season ticket holders regrouped and rallied second half. Beck also changed his personnel with the game opening up into an end to end affair with both sides throwing caution to an ever increasing wind. The half remained surprisingly goalless until a free-kick was awarded to the visitors. Sam Bennett sent in a peach and a surprisingly unmarked Wesley Smith headed home gratefully. Both Yeo and Dan Taylor returned to the fray and were both unlucky not to complete their hat tricks before a Captain’s goal brought the house down. Perhaps as a reminder of the reason for the charitable game, things had got a little bogged down in the middle making it a mirror of a military no mans land. A brave, naty inspired Captain Golly, charged forward breaking through the enemy lines before hammering home a thirty-five yard howitzer into the roof of the net.
We would like to thank everyone who turned up to the game and those who gave generously at the match, the travellers Rest and the Trust Suite where Simon auctioned two shirts. The £187.96 will go to the Help 4 heroes ARC centres. We would also like to thank the club for the kits and Dave Roberts who will be riding in the H4H Motorbike ride in April, with a huge charity day planned as part of the Morecambe match. Wigan Honda will be providing the bikes and a host of players are donating shirts to Simon Yeo who will be part of it from start to finish.