Through the seasons before us..

Lincoln City – 1
Nottingham Forest – 1

Let’s start with the good news, Nottingham boxer Carl Froch beat Robin Reid live on Sky last night (or, indeed, at the Nottingham Arena if you actually went), and Derby got spannered 5-0 at home by West Ham United.  But still, that’s scant consolation for Forest failing to get past bottom-of-the-league Lincoln City in their first competitive meeting in decades.

Smoulds started the game as we’ve finished the last couple, kind of, with two strikers in a more conventional four-four-two formation – Davies being the unlucky midfielder who made way for Nathan Tyson, pushing Clingan out to the right of midfield, with McGugan and Cohen in the middle, and Commons on the left.  So certainly a first-choice lineup from Forest.

Agogo stated what turned out to be something other than our long-term intent, with a quick turn and volley from 30 yards in the opening couple of minutes – but this was just wide of the goal.  The Lincoln ‘keeper had a bit of work to do shortly after this with two corners from Forest, but not particularly good ones it has to be said.

Agogo again came close when he was on the end of a Nathan Tyson cross at the near post, but a defender was able to challenge successfully and concede a corner to the Reds.  The goal was to come for Forest though, with good build up play – Tyson crossed to Commons who struck a first time cross-cum-shot type effort that Agogo planted his head onto – the keeper fumbled, the ball might’ve crossed the line, but McGugan was on hand to ensure it did – and it seems he’s been credited with the goal!

Shortly after this Sammy Clingan did well to burst forward with the ball, eventually sending the ball out wide to Commons who crossed in towards Agogo, whose header from around 12 yards out rebounded from the crossbar.  Up to this point, the game went pretty much as you would expect considering league placings and recent form – but the worm was about to turn.

The Imps equalised after the rightback, Paul Green, sent a low cross to the near post where Kelvin Wilson unfortunately stuck out a largely unnecessary leg which diverted the ball beyond Paul Smith – who appeared to have made a call for the ball – and into the net giving the defender an unfortunate own goal.

After the goal this roused the home side significantly – taking the game to Forest much more, most notably putting in another dangerous cross just before half time which Ian Breckin was forced to head over his own bar for a corner to the Imps.  Half time came and it was all square.  Forest probably had the best of most of the half, but Lincoln came back looking stronger towards the end.

The second half started well for the home side, with N’Guessan standing out with his wideplay on both sides of the park.  Smith had a save to make from him to turn the ball around for a corner.  Dodds had a decent effort blocked by Chambers, but eventually Forest were starting to come back into it.

Agogo had the best chance of the game when Commons put him clear one-on-one with the ‘keeper – but he took his shot early from the edge of the penalty area and missed the target completely.  Disappointing from the striker who certainly found the net more easily from a more difficult chance against Southend in the week!

Shortly after this Forest rattled the crossbar for the second time of the game – a piledriver of a strike from 30 yards, with the keeper – around 6 yards off his line – completely beaten, but sadly it didn’t quite dip enough and rebounded well back into play from the crossbar, falling to a defender who was able to clear easily.

Agogo was withdrawn for Arron Davies with around a quarter of an hour left on the clock, but despite five minutes of stoppage time at the end, Forest were unable to break down a dogged Lincoln side – the closest they came was when McGugan drove a low cross into the box which was cleared for a corner – this corner was taken and headed goalward by Breckin but Lincoln ‘keeper Alan Marriott was on hand to make an impressive save.

On balance a draw was probably fair – and there was an element of the Imps raising their game, but almost certainly one of Forest dropping their recent performance levels too.  This is disappointing, despite my head saying the FA Cup is a pretty pointless endeavour for us, my heart yearns for us to be in the competition, and I suppose at least our name will feature in tomorrow’s draw, albeit with the caveat of ‘Lincoln City or’ being said immediately before.

It’s unlikely the replay will happen a week on tuesday as would be normal, due to the international issues we have that has caused the Carlisle game to be postponed, so we await to find out when we can welcome Lincoln City to the City Ground for the replay.  Ho hum.  It’s not particularly inspiring, but I suppose it’s not the end of the world either!

NB: It’s just been confirmed on t’radio that the game will take place two weeks on tuesday, after the Crewe game.  So Tuesday 27th November – and the really good news is it makes it too late to be considered for being televised!  Get in!

Filed under: Matches