By all accounts it wasn’t the most convincing of performances but nevertheless Lincoln City came back from a two goal deficit to claim a point from their encounter with Aldershot, Ashley Grimes, (who else?) netting with minutes on the clock to rescue the team from defeat. How very pleasant to report that. It has been the Imps on so many occasions suffering an away return trip cursing their luck. Steve Tilson wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth;
"It was disappointing to go two goals down, but the positive thing is how the lads fought back, observed the former Southend supremo
"If someone had offered me a point beforehand I would have taken it."
That goes for us fans too, Imps are not used to stirring comebacks and they say it’s the mark of a decent side, to get something from the game whilst not particularly playing well.
"At 2-0 down to get back in the game was brilliant, I was just a bit disappointed we didn't start to play our own game until quite late on," conceded Tilly
"Aldershot did not create much – they set the standard and we were a bit below it." Well at least that’s honest not like some managers you could name. He was none too impressed with the penalty that never was either;
"I think it was a bit dubious," said the City boss.
"They said the player could not get his hand away in time, but I think the cross has come from so deep that the lad has had enough time to get out of the way.
"But we didn't let it bother us and we got on with the game.
"It could have been very easy for us to fold at that point, but the lads kept plugging at it and it was a good result."
A back handed compliment for Grimes, he hit his 12th for City, a remarkable strike rate.
"It was a good goal," said the gaffer.
"Grimes will probably admit it was not his best game, but he did what he needed to late on for us."
What do you most need when you’ve been playing two games a week for who knows how long, just back from one of your furthest flung opponents, a midweek game too so no hotel stop over? A visit from the league leaders that’s what.
Will it go the way of the form team? Yes that’s City in case you didn’t know, or the dazzling dandies from Derbyshire? Chesterfield manager John Sheridan gave a prickly response when interviewed on Spirites Player and was asked what team he would be putting out on Saturday:
“Well I’ll keep the team news to myself, you know I don’t usually give it away but we’re picking up one or two niggles which I expected with playing Saturday, Tuesday , but I feel I’ve got a strong enough squad anyway so, whatever team I put out will hopefully get us a positive result”
Sheriden was pressed as to his strikers fitness and gave another terse response, perhaps nerves are starting to get the better of him before the big clash? He was asked if Lincoln presented an opportunity for some of the reserve goal getters at the club to get a chance, due to injuries to first choice players?
“I’ve just said, Jack and everyone will train tomorrow (Friday) so that means Jack and Drewe will train tomorrow, obviously Smalley is the only one who is suspended so he won’t be available, whoever I play, I’ve got Boden, Bowery, so I can pick two from five, one from five, three from five, I think we’re strong enough in that department, whoever plays, hopefully they’ll score goals.”
The Spirites boss conceded City are the form team at the moment;
“They’re one of the in form sides and they’re climbing that division, they’ll believe that they can get into the play offs and we’ve got to be aware of that, they’ll be a big threat if we allow it. We’ve got to go there; we’re top of the table we’ve got to put in a performance.
Steady on John, one game at a time but if the Imps can get anything out of this game then perhaps this season may hold one or two more surprises yet?
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