By theimps.tk
December 25 2008

February is one of only two decent footballing months for the Imps as we recorded five wins in six games. More players left Sincil Bank via various methods, as well as the assistant manager. However, two earthquakes took place, one metaphorical and the other as Peter Jackson announced that he had cancer.

February got off to a tricky start at Shrewsbury Town. The kit-man had somehow forgotten to bring half the kit, meaning that some team members had to borrow the shirts of the fans, Mark Stallard being one. Other than that it was a good day for the Imps. It was our first visit to New Meadow and City had won each of their last four visits to the old Gay Meadow ground.

Louis Dodds was in uncharacteristic scoring form and he got the game's first goal, scoring directly from a free kick. Shrewsbury kept knocking on the door and eventually equalised with a free kick of their own, although Alan Marriott's distinct lack of effort was there for all to see. However, Dodds did equalise in the final ten minutes, pouncing on a defensive mistake to give City yet another win at Shrewsbury Town.

The Imps were on the road again three days later, this time visiting Moss Rose. The Imps were being dominated by a poor Macclesfield side, the Silkmen have many chances to take the lead before a suspiciously offside Dany N'Guessan raced onto a through ball in the final ten minutes, slotting it home with practically City's first shot of the game. Their second also produced a goal, this time Jamie Forrester pouncing. Macc did pull one back later on but it was yet another, although rather undeserved, three points.

It was to be the final game with Neil McDonald at the club. "Macca" has joined as assistant earlier on in the season but it was there for all to see that he was ambitious. He has since been credited with a lot of the good work in the first few months of Jackson's reign. He went to Leeds United to take on a coaching role before eventually becoming Sam Allardyce's assistant in December at Blackburn.

A home game followed against Rochdale. They hadn't lost on the road since the opening day of the season and were looking strong candidates for promotion. The Imps took the lead in the first half when Jamie Forrester's fast reactions saw him capitalise on Gilk's spillage. However, Rochdale were still dominant and equalised through Rene Howe just after half time. It looked as though it was heading for a draw before Danny Hone scored his first professional goal against the run of play towards the end of the game.

Just hours before a trip to Accrington Stanley, it was announced that Iffy Onuora was to replace Neil McDonald as assistant manager of the Imps. The game at Accrington may have ended with a lop-sided scoreline, but anyone there would have been able to tell you that City weren't worth a 3-0 victory. Stallard had opened the goalscoring with only his second League goal of the season, before second half goals from Wright and Beevers secured victory for City.

Two days after the win at Accrington came a piece of news that shocked the footballing world, Peter Jackson announcing he had cancer. The Imps gaffer had clearly had problems with his throat since joining the club, always having a very coarse throat. Jackson's final game would come at the beginning of March.

The first game after this announcement saw Macclesfield Town as visitors to Sincil Bank, just ten days after the club had previously met. The Silkmen took the lead through, you've guessed it, an Alan Marriott mistake. The goalkeeper barely looked bothered as he failed to connect with a Gareth Evans ball rounding him and then tapping into an empty net. However, he was reprieved as the Imps did equalise through LJL midway through the second half, before Jamie Forrester and N'Guessan goals gave the Imps victory.

The final match of February saw the Imps travel to Rotherham United for what would turn out to be City's last ever visit to Millmoor. It all started promisingly for City and we could have easily been three or four goals up by the time at Louis Dodds' curling effort had put the Imps ahead. However, a shockingly defended free-kick gifted Rotherham a way back into the game.

Two quickfire second half goals put Rotherham into the lead before Ben Wright drew one back later on. City couldn't find an equaliser and City suffered their first defeat of the month. Stallard had got sent off during the game.

The final few days of February saw two players leave the club. Phil Watt was released and quickly joined Corby Town, before Jamie Hand left City to join Oxford United. Alex Morfaw also joined on loan from Scunthorpe United, that despite going on to not play a single minute of first team football for the Imps.

Aaron Brown was given a trial against Sheffield United, impressing several of the watching crowd just hours before Lee Frecklington signed a contract extension. Peter Jackson was announcing as manager of the month just hours after an earthquake struck the entire country, Sincil Bank proving to be the nearest football ground to the epicentre.

2008 - Another year to forget - February

Discussion started by theimps.tk (IP Logged), 25/12/2008 21:51

theimps.tk
25/12/2008 21:51

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