Hard To Find The Desire

A reserve-type line-up for City failed to capitalise on chances made and so suffered a 2-1 reverse at the hands of the well-organised Gingerbreads. Lincoln went in front early on, in the 12^th minute, as Dave Cameron rose to head past Ziccardi in the Grantham goal, following an inswinging corner from Adam Buckley.

However, despite taking the lead, they allowed Grantham back into the game. 77 minutes gone, substitute and leading scorer Gary Bull found the net, when he latched onto a long ball from former Lincoln United man Brendan McDaid. Five minutes later, the Imps paid the ultimate price for their poor finishing earlier on, as wing-back Jim Neill struck a low shot past the young Darren Horrigan between the City sticks. The despondent Imps’ men failed to respond.

The Imps management team, well aware that the Imps are due to face table-toppers Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, opted to save some players’ legs. Lee Thorpe, Dave Cameron, Peter Gain and Ian Hamilton were the only regular first-team members in Buckley’s line-up. On their way back from injury, Kingsley Black came in on the right side of midfield, while Jason Barnett figured at right back. Richard Logan continued his recovery from injury, lining up at centre-back, alongside youngster Gary Cochrane.

Darren Horrigan continued in goal for the Imps after his creditable debut on Saturday. Young trio Mark Camm, plus the released Chris McConville and Grant Pinkney all took their place on the bench for the game. Camm and McConville being given a taste of the action in the second half.

All in all, an under-strength side was fielded, which contributed to City’s downfall. The players that took part would have found it hard to find the desire inside themselves to play to the best of their abilities. How does a player ‘want’ to win when they know very well that there is a very good chance they will be released in the summer? Players such as Richard Logan, Jason Barnett, Dave Cameron and even the transfer listed Sedgemore and Gain could find themselves playing somewhere else next season, or nowhere at all.

Well, Grantham had the bit between their teeth, as they clearly wanted the game, wanting to advance into the Lincs Cup Final to meet Scunthorpe United.

A pointless game as far as the Imps are concerned – one which Alan Buckley and Keith Alexander will simply brush aside as they begin to entirely focus on Saturday’s tough tie against Plymouth Argyle.