It seems as though Cheltenham felt they needed something to ease any slight relegation worries they have, and as such, they looked to start the second half with a unique 1-1-8 formation. The kick-off was quite something, they loaded almost every blue shirt forward and came at us like an eclipse of moths seeking out a bright night light. For a moment, I was worried. They weren’t so much trying to pick us apart as batter us into submission with numbers – anyone who has ever seen the police using a big red key to open a drug dealer’s front door will know how it felt. Alfie May had two efforts from close range on 50 minutes, neither of which found their way past Carl Rushworth.
For all the knocking, Cheltenham didn’t get many shots off, and that’s because of the excellent back three. Paudie being back was a massive relief, whilst Regan and Adam Jackson were both superb. I know we’re losing Regan, but in my opinion, we have to offer Adam Jackson a new deal. He’s been excellent this season, and he’s on course to rack up more league starts than either of his previous two seasons here. Of the out-of-contract central defenders, he’s the one I’d like us to take a punt on for another year.
A word on the full backs as well. Harry Boyes certainly looked solid enough, and after a stop/start first few months of his Imps career, he seems to be going out on a high. Lasse always frightens me at right wing back, and whilst he’s not the most composed, you have to remember he’s a central midfielder playing out of position. He didn’t disgrace himself, and whilst we need a proper right back in position sooner, rather than later, he’s been an adequate stand-in for a couple of tough matches.
On 55 minutes, Bishop went off, which was disappointing. He had been pulling the strings nicely, but his replacement, Mide Shodipo, changed the game. He brought something different, when he’s on the ball he’s not instantly looking for a pass, but instead to turn, move forward and gain yards. That asked a different question of Cheltenham, and if it hadn’t been a forced change, I’d label it as a tactical masterstroke. I saw someone say Shodipo was their Man of the Match, and whilst that is a bit of a stretch, he certainly sparkled. I’ve said for a while I like the lad, he looked excellent when he first arrived, then got injured, but like Harry Boyes, he seized his chance. I actually thought he did alright when he came on last week in a game that was hard for attackers, but this week, it was a chance to get on the ball and show what he could do. Do you want fans off their seats? You’ll get that when a player like Shodipo jinxes his way around two defenders with a smart turn to create an attack.
Yep, from the hour mark on, there was only ever going to be one winner. In the last fifteen minutes, we had three shots – two on target from Shodipo and one that went in, from a Shodipo assist. It amused me how the second goal came about – Alfie May was trying to put Rushworth off all game, and I felt it was on the cusp of being foul play. Matt and I debated the actual law around impeding the keeper, and couldn’t decide what it was. Still, as Rushworth looked to deliver upfield, May got in his way and he scuffed his kick awkwardly. Fans around me cried foul, but City played on.
It made its way to O’Connor, who flicked it to Erhahon. He found Plange, who linked with Shodipo to get it back to Erhahon. Virtue then took over, finding Sorensen who fed Shodipo. he skipped a challenge, ignored Plange’s direct run into the six-yard box which drew defenders in, and pulled it back for House to sweep home with ease. It was a lovely flowing move, the sort we’ve not seen a lot of this season, and as the stand erupted at the knowledge of three points, I glanced across at Rushworth. Him and Adam Jackson had headed over to the assistant referee to remonstrate about May. It felt like an odd little post-script to the goal, us arguing that there was an infringement that, had something been given, would have denied us perhaps the best team goal we’ve seen at the Bank this season.
That was that – we knew with a little over ten minutes to go that the points were in the bag, that Easter would kick off with us all-but sealing our League One position next season. I’ll go on record here and say we’re safe now, not in terms of numbers, but we are. There will be no later collapse, there will be no 2011, no 1987. We have enough quality dotted about the squad to make the final few games comfortable, and there’s no doubt when my stag weekend arrives at the end of the month and my ‘mates’ have me dressed up as something embarrassing on the terraces at Morecambe, there will be no worry at all about relegation.
I’ve saved the final word for a player who I haven’t waxed lyrical about as yet, but who was my Man of the Match. Ethan Erhahon. Everyone knows I’ve championed his arrival since day one, and I saw in one outing against Accrington that he could, and will be the player we have needed since Liam Bridcutt. In fact, I’d say he’s the player we’ve needed since Bridcutt arrived – a midfielder who can show composure, break up play, and bring everything together, but who will likely get to 40 games per season. Stats fans will like this – Ethan is only three starts away from beating Liam Bridcutt’s total last season. He is a midfielder with all the attributes you need to succeed, here at the Bank, but who is likely to remain fit and in the team for 90% of our games. He’s just a cut above for me, effortless in his movement, always in the right place, and, as shown by his touches in the goal, able to play a bit as well. I believe he’s our record signing (people might not want you to shout that out, but he was a big investment), and already I think he’s worth every penny. We’re better with him in the side.
So, it wasn’t just a Good Friday, it was a great one. The sun was shining, the Imps were flowing and whilst it wasn’t vintage, it was exactly what you need at this level. We got three points against a team you’d expect us to be beating when you looked down the fixture list, and that hasn’t always been the case this season – in fact, it’s rarely been the case. We’ve moved into a position of relative safety, and a few players we’ll definitely have next season gave us glimpses of what they can do. There were 7,900 home fans as well, a good crowd for what can be a difficult fixture competing with weekends away, proving (to me at least) that there is a huge groundswell of support for the manager, staff, players, and board.
I always used to have a saying – it’s the hope that kills you. Coming away from Sincil Bank yesterday, at a time of year when some celebrate death and rebirth, I couldn’t help but smile at that. My hope is that yesterday was a little look into the future, at the continued rebirth of Lincoln City FC. If we can do that next season, week in, week out, then we’ll be knocking on the door of the top half, no doubt at all.
Have hope. Have faith. Happy Easter.