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Forrester trio rounds off Imps romp
By Nathan Jackson October 14 2006
Just 6 years to the day after sharing 6 goals with Kidderminster, City made short work of struggling Barnet, beating them 5-0 at Underhill with Jamie Forrester getting another hat-trick. It was a pleasing performance all around by City, the only disappointing thing is that we didn't go top.

City kicked off the game but almost went behind straight away when they broke down the wing as Hatch beat Eaden before pulling the ball back for Hendon to smash wide from just outside the area. Barnet continued their quick start to the game by winning a few corners but none came to anything and not for the first time this season, City were starting the game slowly. Jamie Forrester produced City’s first attack but his cross went over Stallard’s head and Barnet easily cleared the ball.

Hughes won a free kick on the 14 minute mark when he was fouled halfway between the corner flag and the area. Kerr sent in the free kick and it was headed by Charles’ into the bath of Stallard but he could only shoot wide. Lee Beevers fouled from a Mayo corner before City fans got the opportunity to see something they hadn’t seen in a while. Moses was struggling with an injury before being replaced by Nat Brown, who himself was coming back from injury, Kerr took over as captain.

Barnet then broke through out of the blue and Vieira was left 1-on-1 with Marriott but the keeper made a fantastic save and kept the former Wigan striker out. However, whereas Marriott was doing well, his opposite, Ross Flitney, the goalkeeper who was surprised to be sent off at Old Trafford despite handling 5 yards out his area, was beaten just minutes later. Hendon passed the ball to Kerr and the City man played Lee Frecklington through, the youngster drew the keeper out before passing to Forrester and the leading assister in the league scored his 5th goal of the season.

However, it could have been 1-1 within 40 seconds as Hatch volleyed from around 25 yards out and was heading in the net before Marriott made a brilliant save to keep Barnet out. That was certainly a turning point in the game and City quickly won a penalty at the other end as Stallard playing Forrester through and calamity-Flitney brought him down as the striker had rounded him, getting a yellow card for his troubles. Forrester stepped up for the penalty himself and smashed it into the net.

Flitney again cost his side a goal a few minutes later as he ignore a free kick that went straight in front of him, instead of claiming it, he allowed a defender to try and clear the ball, however, Lee Beevers was within 2 feet of the kicker and the ball rebounded off him for a goal and it was 3-0 to City and that was the final incident of the first half.

Clive Penton had to be replaced as referee of complaining about being ill so fourth official, Steve Cooke took over instead. Flitney was immediately called out but much to everyone’s amazement he did something right for once. City broke through again with Amoo, he played in Stallard but Flitney saved his goalbound effort.

8 minutes into the half and City had another penalty when Frecklington was fouled in the area after good work from Forrester. Forrester stepped up for his second penalty of the afternoon and the chance to score his second Imps’ hat-trick in the space of 2 months. He ran towards the ball and again smashed it past Flitney to give City a 4-0 lead with 35 minutes still to play. Cogan was replaced by Graham for the hosts.

It seems we can’t get to a paragraph with Flitney being mentioned but the keeper was VERY fortunate that his defender’s were paying attention minutes again. Hughes broke down the left and crossed the ball to Forrester, he in turn pulled it back to Frecklington and his effort was only kept out because of Anthony Charles’ afro on the line. Flitney saved from a Mayo header a few minutes later before, Gritton replaced Stallard with 15 minutes remaining, Devra replaced Hendon for the hosts.

Marriott was called into a rare piece of action when he again blocked a James Puncheon shot. Frecklington left the pitch and was replaced by Mettam. The young striker provided the game’s final option when he tapped in Mayo’s cross for City’s 5th and final goal.

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