New year, new unbeaten run to be established for Imps.

City rose from the mediocrity (by their standards) of the first half to register an emphatic win to obliterate the memory of their loss to Guiseley on Boxing Day. It was far from easy.

We’ve been spoilt really in the marvellous run up to Christmas where City have generally swept away any pretenders who have had the presumption to appear at their door and attempt to prise any points away from Sincil Bank although, the North Ferriby game apart, teams have generally put up spirited resistance. Yesterday was no different especially with Guiseley emerging victorious in the previous game no doubt believing they had the advantage over second in the table Imps.

You’ve got to say the referee had a hand in the result, setting off initially to disapprove of virtually everything the Imps did. Referees presumably get affected by unusual circumstances and it’s not often officials at this level will get to operate in front of such a large crowd and it was a proper “look at me” performance from the man in the middle as he pulled City up constantly in the first half spoiling any hopes of a flowing game. Of course what often happens in these circumstances is the opposition start to believe they can get away with almost anything and it all got a bit rough and Guiseley certainly came unstuck in the second half with two men and their manager sent off by the end producing an amusing (if you’re not from Guiseley) scenario where half the home fans baying for more bloodshed and the other half of the crowd realising there are only so many sendings off allowed before the game has to be abandoned and shouting for forbearance. It is the pantomime season after all.

In the end it was an eventful and ultimately satisfying return to normal service for home fans at least with something for everyone provided your name isn’t Sam Habergham who sliced a haymaker into his own net. Marriott, in another supersub appearance, once again affecting the game and the result immediately, this time carving into the box and inviting the foul which Guiseley duly obliged with. Fans were on the edge of their seats though as a penalty for City is not necessarily the virtually nailed on goal it would normally be but there were sighs of relief when it was Alan Power who purposefully stepped up to the spot and blasted home the kick. After that a win was virtually ensured.

After yet another Marriott rescue everyone was wondering how much longer he will have to wait for a start particularly as Robinson, unusually for him of late, put in a real lack lustre effort.

We all now move on to the FA Cup and by that I mean virtually the entire 5000+ crowd, City fans having magnificently sold out their very generous allocation for the game at Portman Road.

It promises to be a real party atmosphere.