October 16th 2004

Oxford United 0 Lincoln City 1 (Francis Green)

City are not one of those sides that dominates a game to this extent on a regular basis. We are usually the better team in a lot of matches but the different being that opposition are always in it to a certain extent. The 1-0 scoreline of this game would make it appear as though it was a close game, and the fact that Oxford had 16 shots compared to City's 15 would make you think that Oxford were unlucky to lose. However, none of Oxford's 16 shots had a realistic chance of going in.

Richard Butcher started the game in unusual circumstances, shooting from inside his own half as he tried to beat Chris Tardif. Oxford had one of their extremely brief moments of getting into Lincoln's half when they won a free kick about 25 yards out. You won't be surprised to hear that Jamie Hand took it and it went out for a goalkick.

City's first disallowed goal of the afternoon saw Bloomer, Carruthers and McAuley saw the latter shoot from outside the area. The ball took one or two deflections before falling to Yeo and he slotted home from about 12 yards out, but the effort was ruled out for offside. Carruthers almost chipped Tardif just a minute or two later before Yeo again had an effort ruled out for offside.

The 25th minute saw another disallowed goal when Futcher alledgely fouled Tardif as he headed it into the net. Sandwith tested Tardif with a 30 yard free kick before Yeo volleyed over from less than 6 yards. Yeo again missed from a few yards out just minutes before City's fourth goal was disallowed, this time it was Carruther's header that was disallowed for a foul that no-one noticed.

City finally took the lead just before half time when Carruthers' headed went through to Green and the striker ran on and slotted it past Tardif. That was the final action before the half time whistle.

Bloomer's header from a corner went wide by a matter of inches before Martin Carruthers somehow headed against the bar from a yard out. City just weren't having any luck and Sandwith hit the bar with a fantastic shot from near 40 yards.

Tardif produced a finger tip save from Green before Yeo headed wide from a Green cross. Yeo saw his effort towards an open goal somehow go over before Roget thumped Green to the ground...somehow a penalty wasn't given.

Butcher had a shot go across the face of goal and that was the final chance of one of the most dominating games in recent times.

LINCOLN'S TEAM THAT DAY : Marriott, Bloomer, Sandwith, Futcher, Morgan, McAuley, Butcher, Gain, Yeo, Green and Carruthers. McCombe, Richardson and Toner came off the bench. Kerley and Folkes were unused substitutes.

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