By Nathan Jackson
April 22 2007

Lincoln City had a nightmare in front of goal, wasting several great chances and hitting the post 4 times. Bristol Rovers should have been out of sight after dominating most of the game against a City side that didn't manage a single shot on target. The result does virtually put City in the playoffs

City kicked off the game and almost scored within a matter of seconds as some clever work found Forrester on the edge of the 6 yards area unmarked, but the striker’s volley went not only wide of the target, but out for a throw in on the far side. The bright start for the Imps continued with Forrester again having a decent chance with 5 minutes gone. This one came from the edge of the 18 yard area and was on his preferred right foot, this one followed suit with the first one as it also missed the target, this time going just over the bar.

 

The game calmed for a few minutes before Bristol Rovers claimed for a penalty. Stuart Campbell theatrically went over under the challenge of Paul Green and the Bristol Rovers midfielder was fortunate not to be booked for a blatant dive. Bristol Rovers started to take control as the Imps suddenly stopped challenging for headers, a trend that is one of the main reasons why City have struggled since going top back in October.

 

Lewis Haldane won the game’s first corner as his effort was blocked and deflected out for a corner. It was the youngster who shot well over the goal when this corner found it’s way to him. City players were fortunate to escape bookings as several scathing challenges went in.

 

Bristol Rovers continued to dominate the game but City almost snuck in front against the run of play. City won a free kick just outside of the box, after Forrester and Hughes had stood debating, they played it out to Paul Mayo. The defender smashed goalwards from 25 yards, only to watch him effort sail onto the post. Rovers went down the other end and only a fine save denied Richard Walker from giving the host the lead.

 

The chance of the half belonged to Junior Mendes. Brilliant passing moves left Junior Mendes completed free in the box. The striker tried to hurry his shot and it ended up going completely wrong, just grazing the post as it sailed wide when it would surely have been easier to score. That came just seconds before the referee blew for full time.

 

Bristol Rovers kicked off the second half, and much like City in the first they created a chance within the opening minute. It saw Ryan Green hit a powerful shot from the edge of the edge of the area, thankfully Marriott got down in time. The game again turned into a midfield battle after this, well, I saw battle but what I mean was that Bristol Rovers wasted several unchallenged headers by heading them straight back to City’s players.

 

Stallard was the first player to be booked in the game with a vicious late challenge on Jacobson. He was quickly joined by Green who fouled Haldane in similar fashion.

 

A clever pass from Stallard resulted in City’s first attack off the second half. He released Mendes on the left wing, he moved inside with the ball before passing to Kerr, the midfielder found his way past the last defender, only for his shot on goal to deflect off the post and out for a goalkick. Mendes was replaced by the returning Frecklington.

 

Hughes then surprised the Imps fans by making a positive contribution to the game, but his shot, much like every other City chance before it, wasn’t on target as he watched it whiz past the far post.

 

Rickie Lambert surprisingly went off for Bristol Rovers despite being their most dangerous player. He was replaced by Sammy Igoe. Within a minute Stallard had a great chance to give City the lead, but unfortunately he lost his footing on the edge of the area and Phillips easily claimed the goal for the hosts. Rigg replaced Jacobson after this for Rovers.

 

The woodwork rattled for the 4^th time as a result of an Imps’ shot, this time it was Frecklington who saw his promising run ended by his shot hitting the post, it was at that point that it seemed a goalless draw was inevitable for the third time in a row between the sides at the Memorial Stadium.

 

A strange refereeing decision followed as the ref gave Bristol Rovers a free kick because two of their players headbutted each other. As one of them received treatment for a bloody nose, Igoe made a mistake the saw Forrester run through on goal, one-on-one with Phillips. Despite having time and space on his side, Forrester seemed to refuse to shoot and instead tried to run around Phillips, eventually failing to get a shot in on goal before his pass to Hughes was intercepted. It was a perfect example of City’s wastefulness in front of goal during the afternoon.

 

Rovers controlled added on time, but they only had one decent chance for their efforts in that time as Rigg wasted a free kick on the edge of the area, and the game ended 0-0.