Half-time, 3-0. Same again in the second 45? Not quite, but close enough. 55th minute, game 100% wrapped up. Lasse sliding the ball through to Joe Taylor who wrapped up his hat-trick with the cheekiest of chips. The last hat trick at the bank? Anthony Scully in the Papa John’s Trophy against Manchester United U-21s. In the league? Brennan Johnson against MK Dons. Both under Appleton. The on-loan man is now our top scorer, although I will say, I am worried that he has performed so well, that any loan extension may now be difficult to execute.

Next came one of the more interesting decisions of the afternoon. I’m not going to come on here and slate the referee (Scott Simpson) fully. It is often the easiest thing to do. For the first half, I didn’t feel he had a bad game. This morning, I watched the extended highlights back, and from the camera angle used, it’s almost impossible to say whether it should have been a penalty, same with the red card, so if I can’t see it on the screen, and with the option of slow-motion, then how can I blame the ref for making the decision in real-time, although granted, I’m really not the best judge.

The penalty was duly missed, the first penalty we’ve given away all season as a matter of fact, and Sean Roughan celebrated a little too much in front of the referee. He wasn’t already on a yellow, so I don’t mind that too much. Erhahon however, getting a second yellow for a slightly late tackle in the 76th minute is worrying. We’re already down to bare bones in midfield, and he is our last remaining ‘6’, so to lose him for Leyton Orient at home on Good Friday, a game that could see us move into the top six, is a big miss, only hindsight will tell us how costly it ends up being.

Down to 10 men, we weathered a very short storm of chances from the opposition before rounding off another five-star display with a goal from Reeco. Some may say he got lucky, to get through the defence, and with the deflection taking it into the back of the net. Yet for me, this symbolised the confidence we’ve got perfectly. To be playing with such little fear that you’re happy to run into the box, at defenders, onto your weaker foot, in the 80th minute, is a sight to behold. Confidence is clearly flowing. From the goals that are being scored, to Alex Mitchell doing push-ups in front of the away fans. Every single player is clearly loving their football right now.

And that was it. Another five scored. Another clean sheet. Another fist-pump. A hat-trick. A goal for the skipper. It’s easy to say, and let’s be honest, it feels like a cliché now, but something very special is happening. This is how it feels to be a Lincoln City fan right now, and it was a lovely birthday present for Ben, Happy Birthday Mate.

Next Up – Bubs’ Full Gallery