News Round-up (13/12)

13th December 2007

It will be Christmas Day in 11 days time, but Lincoln City are hoping for an early Christmas present on Saturday when they entertain Barnet at Sincil Bank.

Lincoln head into this vital game on the back of a 3-1 defeat at Hereford United last Saturday. Some will argue that the game was as good as over by the 10th minute when Hereford took the lead from the penalty spot after Imps' left-back Gary Croft had been sent-off for deliberate handball when he decided to become a goalkeeper! Theo Robinson scored the resultant penalty.

However, despite their numerical disadvantage, Lincoln showed some battling spirit and did in fact equalise in the 20th minute through Lee Frecklington. Alas, Hereford retook the lead in the 44th minute via Trent McClenahan. Had Lincoln been able to hold out until half-time, then possibly, The Imps could also have held out for a draw. The result was not put beyond doubt until the 83rd minute when Ben Smith scored for Hereford.

Speaking of a Ben Smith: Lincoln's on loan goalkeeper, also called Ben Smith, looks set to extend his loan deal at Sincil Bank for another month. That though has yet to be confirmed.

On the injury front there is some good news as defender Lee Beevers has returned to full training following his shoulder dislocation. Beevers could be in the frame for a starting place against Barnet as Lincoln are short of a recognised left-back now that Croft is serving a two-match ban. Another alternative is for left-winger Owain Warlow to drop into the left-back role. This was a role that he adopted at Hereford following Croft's dismissal. Adie Moses is also set to be fit for contention.

One piece of bad news is Barnet's leading goalscorer Liam Hatch is available again after serving a suspension. However, this should not worry Imps' boss Peter Jackson, who will probably be more concerned about his own players rather than worrying about the opposition. No matter how concerned he is though, he will have trouble expressing his feelings during the match, as he has been handed a two-match touchline ban. This means that he will have to sit in the stands and communicate via mobile phone.

One very good piece of news that we forgot to mention last week, is that youth teamer Danny Hone is no longer a youth team player, but rather, he is now a professional. Hone has agreed his first ever professional contract and has committed himself to Lincoln City until June 2010. We wish Danny good luck.

Elsewhere, one former Lincoln City FC centre-back is back in county football as Boston United have signed Simon Weaver, who now links up with his former Imps' colleague Matt Bloomer.

Click to view cheap merchandise for Lincoln City football club.