And so for the first ever time, the Walkers Stadium was to host an LCFC v LCFC match as Lincoln City made the short trip for the second round of the Johnstones Paint Trophy. While some remark this as a meaningless tournament that just gets in the way, I'm looking to really embrace it and see it as a start of a new era of good times at the club. Promotion is all well and good but a day out at Wembley is what we all really dream of and this competition opens up that doorway.... well to be honest it's more of a cat flap then a door but it still equals the possibility of a nice shiney trophy for the cabinet!
After 90 minutes of overtime (which turned out to be more entertaining then the game), I made the short walk to the Walkers Stadium where me and Jimmy made our way into the 1884 sports bar to get out of the suprisingly chilly September night. We waited in there till Jodie, Helen and Colleen arrived not long after 7:15 and headed through the turnstiles.
Jimmy headed off to his own seat, Helen and Colleen to theirs and me and Jodie headed up to the top corner of the west stand where we sat for the Stockport cup game. As expected some of the FT lot were there and we then proceeded to play musical chairs for the first 5 minutes of the game as people arrived and wanted to sit in their own seats designated to them on their tickets. Soon we gave up and just headed over to the kop and spread out there.Managed to have some good laughs away from the game (which was dire and I have nothing to say about really). Ben broke his zip and now can't afford to get it fixed after being conned of his remaining £3 by Ched... classic! Some great shouts too as Chris Bart-Williams was quickly spotted playing for Lincoln and the genius one in the picture below of how the Lincoln fans form the shape of an arrow if you look closely complete with arrow-head. If only all "Spot the ball" competitions came with clues like that!
The game itself then..... erm...... well it lasted 90 minutes...... there were some substitutions..... Max Gradel got injured...... erm...... and if it was Poker then we would have won with a pair of Kings on the field. In fact this guy reading his programme during the game sums up the entertainment!
As is tradition with the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, if it remains a tie after the 90 minutes are up, we bypass extra time and go straight to penalties.... thank god! My first live shoot out - happy days! The players made the usual group hug on the centre line and Bruno Berner stepped up to take the 1st on his debut.....
And successfully converted to put us ahead. Lincoln's first penalty was also despatched with ease and then Matty Fryatt stepped up to make it 2-1. Then it turned into the Paul Henderson as he made two saves either side of a missed strike by Andy King. Henderson's second save was something quite special, diving full length to his right to touch it round the post. Each goal and miss put us closer to the third round and was greeted by a rugby tackle from Ben to push me into the row of seats behind! Anyone would think it was the final! Wesolowski made it 3-1 and it was left to ex-leicester boy Frank Sinclair to chip the ball over the bar to seal a forgettable victory.
By no means beautiful but it's another win and one step closer to Wembley. There's one thing that's hanging over me regarding this competition though.... the possibility that we may draw Carlisle away on a tuesday night. Now that would be a test to the 100% record. Next stop.... our second game against Hartlepool this season as they make the long treck down to the east midlands. Three points please Mr Pearson!
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