Not Memorable Game
Yup, it’s that man again, John Beck. Back in 1997/98, he was something of a divisive figure, but when games are being won, it’s not that bad. Well, as we chased promotion to the third tier, we turned that into art. Or should I say, we turned not losing into an art. Our previous record unbeaten run had, somewhat ironically, started just a week or so after the 4-0 win against Wigan and spanned 18 matches, but across two seasons. |In 1997/98, we equalled, that, going 18 games without defeat, but it wasn’t the exciting period you might think. Draws with Emley and Gainsborough sat in that run, but even so, we looked good for promotion.
All that stood between us and game number 19 was a (pointless) AWS game against Wigan Athletic. They had topped our table the season before, beating us twice, including a 3-1 win at the Bank in which Carl Cort scored his only Imps goal. After the Wigan game, we had Hartlepool and home and Emley away, surely two games which we could smash the record.
Sadly, it wasn’t to be. On a miserable evening at Springfield Park, we were well beaten with a sparse crowd looking on. The Imps side has something of a classic feel, J Vaughan, J Whitney, K Austin, J Robertson, J Barnett, S Holmes, M Hone, P Smith, C Stones, L Thorpe and G Gordon, with all three subs getting on too – S Bimson, C Alcide and S Brown.
Graeme Jones bagged a brace, one 17 minutes from time and another a late penalty, to send us home empty-handed and break the run. A week later, we lost on penalties to Emley in the FA Cup, followed by a 5-1 mauling at London Road just before Christmas. In fact, that defeat was December 9th and we didn’t win against until January 31st. Beck only won three more games before leaving, and after that, we assured promotion.
We did get a degree of revenge the following season, beating the Latics 1-0 at the Bank in our relegation season.
