By Nathan Jackson
December 23 2004

The game a lot of fans have been looking forward to is finally here but can Christmas contain a very late present for the Imps as they look to break one of the best home records in the country whilst currently on bad form, but as we know, form goes out of the window for local derbies...doesn't it?

INTRODUCTION

It's time again for that time of the season when the Imps travel slightly south each to the home of arguably, the Imps biggest rivals, Boston United. City have a daunting task of becoming the first team this season to win at York Street after Boston's highly impressive 7 wins and 4 draws from their 11 games.

 

+TEAM NEWS FOR THE IMPS

Where do we start? Only one player is definatly out and that is midfielder Peter Gain. Either Cairan Toner or new signing, Ritchie Hanlon will assume control of Gainy's position. McAuley and Taylor-Fletcher are both major doubts for the game and rumour has it that Paul Morgan could be struggling for fitness one again. Upfront, Carruthurs will probably return to the starting line up to face his former employers.

Marriott

Bloomer  Morgan  McCombe  Futcher   Sandwith

Butcher  Toner

Yeo  Carruthurs Carruthurs

BOSTON UNITED

It's amazing for a team with such a good home record to have such a poor away record. But we'll get to that later. As I said, Boston haven't lost at home thanks to the following results.

Oxford - 1-0

Macclesfield - 1-1

Chester - 3-1

Cambridge - 2-1

Shrewsbury - 2-2

Scunny - 2-1

Wycombe - 2-0

Bristol Rovers -  2-2

Mansfield - 0-0

Rushden - 1-0

Darlington 3-1.

Now that's impressive however you look at it and the Imps face a daunting task. After becoming the best team on their travels after the win against Darlo, the Imps have lost their last 2 away games and lost that claim. Boston's away record is quite bad winning just 1 away game in the league so far this season and that was at bottom club, Kidderminster.

PREVIOUS RESULTS AGAINST BOSTON UNITED

Results have been very even since Boston entered the league just over 2 years ago, the record stands at 1 win a piece and 3 draws. The first league meeting between the 2 was on August 24th 2002 when Boston beat an under-par Imps side 2-0 at York Street thanks to goals from Simon Weatherstone and Daryl Clare. Simon Yeo was also sent off in that game.. The return game at Sincil Bank ended 1-1 when a second half Richard Logan goal cancelled out Simon Weaver's early effort.

Last season, the Imps won at York Street in a fairly poor game which took place exactly a year after this season's fixture. A Paul Mayo penalty after Paul Ellender fouled Gary Fletcher in 61st minute. As in the year before, a player was sent off but this time, it was Simon Rusk for two bookable offences. The return leg at Sincil Bank was remembered more for what happened before the game than during it when Imps manager, Keith Alexander returned to the bench after 4 months out through brain surgery and got a great reception from both City and Boston fans. However, the game was a dull affair that was over after 40 minutes when Richardson's header cancelled out a Neil Redfearn free kick.

Earlier this season on September 11th, the Imps were in control of the game when Jamie McCombe's first half effort combined with Francis Green bicycle kick gave the Imps a 2-0 lead and Boston were very poor yet somehow, the Imps let it slip in the last 5 minutes. A very controversial penalty 5 minutes from time and a Jason Lee header with only a minute to go gave Boston a point which they certainly didn't deserve.

PREDICTIONS

To be perfectly honest, I'd be suprised if we came away with a point. Boston are excellent at home and the Imps are on a terrible run of form with a lot of injuries to worry about.

Boston 2 Imps 1

 

Also, we here at theimps.tk would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas