By Nathan Jackson
October 16 2005

We bring you our reaction to the game of two halves against Orient. City came away with a very fortunate point. Orient dominated the first half but when Keith brought on Asamoah, the game swung in the favour of City who, despite not really deserving the point overall, will be glad to have not lost.

Now that was a game of two halves. In the first half, City were awful, easily the worst we've played all season long and to be honest, no City fan could have complained if we'd gone in 3 or 4 down, we were shockingly poor. Orient were easily the best team we've played so far this season, but like City in so many away games, they couldn't hold on to a lead due to several reasons and after we scored, there did seem to be only one team who were going to win it.

I said before the match that it would be interesting to see what happened if Orient scored the first goal and what I saw was very pleasing....although delayed. Orient were the first side to have scored against the Imps at their own ground and for once, a bunch of substitutions by Keith, mainly bringing on Asamoah changed the game in our favour and the difference between winning a 1 point rather than losing two is immense.

Asamoah was fantastic in this game and gave the Orient defence the run around and was easily the man of the match. Asamoah is often critised by many (including myself) for being a striker who doesn't score enough goals, but Asamoah is fantastic as a wide man and provides many vital balls into the box and Imps fans will be hoping for a similar performance in the next few games, all against opposition higher up on the ladder than us.

"We knew it would be a difficult game but for the first half, we were non-existant. I told the players a few home-truths at half time and they came out a different team"

"We'll keep battling away and we came away with a good point. It was a magnificant second half performance and a good strike from Butch, but I expect that from us."

"Orient are a decent side at home so I'm delighted to come away with a point"

""It's obvious that we controlled the first half and Lincoln the second. We became embroiled in their style of play," Ling explained.

"They are a direct team, and we dealt with that well in the first half by matching them physically and passing it well - but we didn't keep it up.

"They are hard to deal with, but it took a wonder strike to get past us." 

Martin Ling, Orient manager

"We could so easily have lost. Lincoln are in a false position and are a better team than we thought. Wycombe couldnt beat Rushden at home and we are still fourth.

And I think we can turn over Grimsby next week. That could be the day that Ling really wins me over."

"while to end up lucky getting a point.we should have been out of sight at half time to a very mediocre lincoln team but in true o's style that second goal would not come.in the second half keith alexander changes his game plan and BANG we're in trouble.that asamouh really gave our defense the rounaround.i went from waiting for lincoln's equaliser which duly came to waiting for them to get a winner which only a great save from garner prevented.mind you he was at fault for the lincoln goal anyhow..to many of our players lose concentration at the same time,all in all,yes we got a point BUT what a frustrating performance.we were SOOOOOOOOO unlucky to only get one point after easily being the best team"