5: Lincoln MR 0-10 Scarborough Ath

Lincoln MR 0-10 Scarborough Athletic
NCEL Premier Division
Saturday 15th September, 2012
Att: 140


It's not often that a football fan can say he or she has seen his/her team hit double figures in a league match twice. I am one of few lucky Boro fans who can boast this fact. Back in April 2010, Boro hit thirteen past relegated Brodsworth Welfare, a team who now play in the local leagues in the Doncaster area. Hopefully, today's opponents won't go the same way...


The story before kick-off pointed towards a comfortable away victory. Lincoln had just one solitary point, taken away at fellow struggles Nostell, and had a goal difference in the -20s. Boro, on the other hand, were sitting in the top five having lost just one game in their opening nine in the league. A few indifferent results (2-2 vs. Armthorpe and 3-3 vs. Liversedge being two) left the fans frustrated, but a glorious comeback from 4-2 down to draw 4-4 against Worksop last week had renewed the faith.
Today was a chance to get back to winning ways, and with most teams playing in the FA Vase today, a chance to get back towards the top of the table.

Boro has already beaten Lincoln 5-0 at Queensgate earlier in the season, and the star of the show on the night was the young Lincoln keeper. The Boro fans applauded him off the pitch that night, and if it wasn't for him, the score would have been a lot, lot worse.

Today, Lincoln knew that their keeper would be involved with most of the action again, and were looking for a big performance from him. He did play very well again, but the 10 players in front of him were sadly lacking in ability, but certainly not fight and attitude. Here's how it panned out...

After a positive start from Boro, it looked like a question of time before the ball hit the back of the net. Chances came and went in the first couple of minutes, but on just five minutes a ball into the box was bundled towards the line by Ryan Blott, and was unfortunately (for the defender) tipped over the line by the Lincoln centre back. Five past three, and Boro had opened the scoring. Still, these games can be banana skins, and at 1-0, the game is never safe against any opposition.

The second goal arrived on 20 minutes. Ryan Blott cut inside from the left wing and fired off a quick shot which the Lincoln keeper could have done better with, but regardless it lashed into the bottom corner of the net. 2-0 up, and Boro fans began to think about not only three points, but also how many goals.

The following 16 minutes were much the same. Lots of Boro pressure with no end result. On 36 minutes, a Blott shot rattled the bar, but following up was soon-to-be-suspended Robbie Hawkes, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net. Ten minutes until half time, and Boro had a commanding 3-0 lead. That's how it stayed until the interval, and the Boro fans enjoyed a very relaxed half time atmosphere.

The second half started slowly, with Boro making a double substitution and Lincoln showing a slightly more attacking threat for the first time in the game. Little did anyone in the ground know what would occur from the hour mark onwards.

Half an hour to go. Boro lead 3-0. Points safe, but an underwhelming scoreline.

Suffice to say, the combination of Boro stepping it up a gear with Lincoln switching off, resulted in the most one-sided thirty minutes of football I've ever seen. In thirty pulsating minutes, Boro would go on to score seven goals.

Blott and Claisse (60 and 63) began the rout, putting Boro five goals to the good. Most Boro fans would have been happy at that, but the lads in yellow had other ideas.

Five goals in TWELVE minutes put Lincoln well and truly to the sword. Davidson (78), Adams (80), Claisse  (82), Blott (85) and the returning Paddy Miller (90) gave Boro a resounding 10-0 away win in the league.

As much elation as the Boro fans felt, you can't help feel what good this will be doing the youngsters who turned out for Lincoln today. No team should have to be hit for double figures in a senior league match, and you can only assume that Lincoln are heading for Division One, and that they're sinking as fast as a certain well known ship did 100 years ago.

The Lincoln keeper had another good game, despite picking the ball out of the net on ten occasions, but the ten lads in front of him just weren't very good at football. Sounds harsh, but it was sadly too true.

Boro did amazingly well to hit ten goals though, and other clubs in the league will have sat up and taken notice. The big games are still to come though, with Staveley and Parkgate fast approaching for Rudy Funk's men.

Today was an exhibition match at times, but these sort of games don't win league titles. Consistency over the full season might, however.

A strange day at the football, but one which will live with the 140 who were in attendance for a very long time. To Boro, I say well done - a performance which was both scintillating and professional. To Lincoln, keep your heads up and try to enjoy your football.