A very hot afternoon saw a very familar side take the field against Shrewsbury with only new signing Michael Blackwood and re-signed, Dean West starting replacing the departed Kevin Ellison

A free kick almost immediatly resulted from the free kick when former Hereford player, Ben Smith fouled Gain, the resulting free kick went out for a corner. There was a sense of deja vu as Blackwood's corner barely got off the ground and went straight to the first defender.

Shrewsbury's first opportunity came when Tolley shot wide in the 9th. Less than a minute later, Rodgers had a fierce free kick go over and sailing into the Lincoln stands and I personally only just managed to get out of the way before it would have smashed into my stomach.

5 minutes later, Marriott made his first save. It came off Challis' volley after an impressive Rodgers cross. The little striker was impressive as always but still wound up Lincoln's fans and defence with some impressive runs that made Blackwood look a bit inept.

Nothing really happened for a while but then the referee made one of his few good judgements of the afternoon when he stopped the game for 2 minutes so everybody could get a drink. In 39 degrees, it had been really hard for the players and due to the death of Marc Vivean Foe last year, it has now been deemed that in conditions like these, it is imperitive for players to have regular breaks.

The final shot of the half fell to Duane but the resulting ball fell to Edwards and the shot went well wide.

Green had the first chance of the 2nd half when after just 20 seconds, he was put through and after good control failed to even get his shot on target, whether it was a cross to Yeo or a genuine shot can be debated but what can't be is that we should have made the most of that oppurtunity.

Morgan then almost scored a bizarre goal, under pressure from Rodgers on the right, he back-passed to Marriott except he tried to lob the ball to him, it flew over Marriott and only just hit the side netting, another few inches to the left and it would have to go down as one of the greatest own goals ever.

However, City made it 1-0 within a minute. A cross from Blackwood was weakly punched out and West lofted the ball back in. Yeo was still running back but wasn't interfering with play but Shrewsbury's defence still thought it was offside so stopped and Taylor-Fletcher who wasn't offside snook in and neatly lifted the ball over the on-rushing keeper to send the near 700 Imps fans into raptures.

It was almost being 2-0 just 50 seconds later when Green ran through again but this time he got away a good shot and Howie only just managed to get his little finger to it before gathering it fully.

City were on the back foot for the rest of the half. Chance after chance went begging for the Shrews. The best was a Luke Rodgers header which was finely tipped over by Marriott.

The referee then decided to give everything to Shrewsbury, even things that weren't free kicks, here are the free best examples (in no particular order).

1. A Shrewsbury player pushes over Toner, then when Toner goes to kick the ball away, the Shrewsbury player kicks his legs and Shrewsbury get a free kick.
2. A Shrewsbury player ran with the ball and just fell over, no player within 5 yards, FREE KICK!!!!!
3. Shrewsbury have a free kick, take it, it goes to a McNamara's left foot on the opposite side of the goal to which the free kick was taken, the ref gives a free kick for McNamara not being 10 yards away from the free kick.

Either way, City held on for the 3 points and I am really optimistic about this season.

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