Yesterday Southport manager Liam Watson expressed the wish that his team would “start off nice and bright”. Seven minutes into last nights game at Sincil Bank his team were on the ropes as Jean-Francois Christophe powerfully headed in John Nutter’s cross and the Imps rarely looked back although they should have added to their tally long before Richard Pacquette’s piledriver finished Southport off just before the hour.
It was Josh Gowling and Joe Anyon who particularly took the eye in a good rather than spectacular Imps performance. Gowling took the man of the match award with Anyon snapping at his heels making several crucial saves to preserve an uncharacteristic clean sheet for the home side.
In Richard Pacquette Imps manager David Holdsworth knew he had a goal scorer but the trick for City is going to be holding on to this wandering striker. Let’s not be too pessimistic though, Davide Somma provided the goals that kept City in the league before and Holdsworth will be hoping that, whilst his team are far from the finished article Pacquette having got off to a blistering start with three goals in two games, he should go a long way to securing City’s league position and could even spark off a revival in the future. Fending off the moneybags is another matter altogether though and with only just over 1600 in attendance last night the club must be losing money at an alarming rate.
Holdsworth was naturally delighted to give the home fans something to shout about:-
“There are still things we can improve on and we must stay focused, but in the context of playing against a side who are having a very good season, that makes it all the sweeter.
"But the game should have been out of sight. 2-0 is a horrible scoreline but I felt we played well, we were dogged, we were rugged and we didn't allow Southport any momentum. We were solid and there are areas we can improve on but we'll take the points.
"I know what Richard Pacquette's strengths are and he led the line admirably. He's a great character and he also has a maturity and I'm delighted I brought him to the club and I think the fans have seen what a quality player he is.
Unfortunately things may not be so rosy in the case of Sam Smith who was forced off just before half time. He may be out for the rest of the season. Talking of the rest of the season a few more horrible scorelines would fit the bill nicely for success starved Imps.
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