On a day of tributes and acknowledgements, there was a meaningless football match that provided entertainment and excitement but lacked the severity of other games around the country.
In terms of games, it was perhaps a fair tribute to the season, not only in how it ebbed and flowed but also in the two teams going toe-to-toe. Shrewsbury Town and Lincoln City are typical League One sides; safe many weeks ago but not quite good enough for the next step. Both play some nice football at times, but there are reasons that both are happy with 11th and 12th, top-half finishes, given the last few years. One of those reasons, of course, is budget. These teams are exactly what every League Two team aspire to be right now – teams with no Championship football under their belts, but finishing at the right end of the table. Both are a credit to their supporters, and both are supported by the sort of fans that are a credit to the lower league. There’s no doubt on a day of backslapping, applauding, and remembrance, few games could have been quite as reflective of the mood as this one. It was a day for appreciating what we’ve had, what has passed, and quietly hoping for a better future.
A word on the Shrewsbury fans, players and staff before we go too far. I thought their fans were excellent, loud and proud throughout, and a credit to their team. I thought their players and staff showed a huge amount of respect during the silence and laying of the wreath for the victims of the Bradford Fire Disaster. As some of you know,, Shrewsbury is a town I used to spend a lot of time in, and they’re a club I have always felt are not a million miles from us in terms of size and stature. This afternoon, they showed (in my m find) they operate with a similar degree of class to how I expect us to operate. Fair play.
There’s no point in me dissecting the game to any real depth. It is worth noting that these two teams are the highest-placed Football League teams that have not played in the modern-day Championship. Given that we were written off by many at the beginning of the season, that’s a huge achievement. Also, the point we earned at Sheffield Wednesday was proven to be the one that kept us in the division – I felt exuberant and elated coming away from that game, and it’s proven they were well-placed emotions.
I found this afternoon’s game entertaining, especially given there was no peril involved at all. I could look at my phone, willing Morecambe or Cambridge to win, with zero worry about our own performance. That’s a good thing, because we were miles off the pace in the first half, and nobody could have argued if we’d gone in 2-0 down. Their two Palace loanees, Killian Phillips and Rob Street, both looked lively and the big lad at the back, Chey Dunkley, was a constant threat. Luke Leahy is a player we’ve seen as effective before, he was sent off for Bristol Rovers against us a couple of seasons ago, and he had a great early chance bounce back off the bar. Rushworth had to be at his best to save Dunkley’s header from the corner, but in truth, we were never at the races early doors.
I can’t really recall anything we did of note in terms of chances, but there were moments when we played some nice football. One or two of our key players in recent weeks had tough opening periods – Lasse, Boyes, Shodipo and Duffy all perhaps with one foot on whichever plane will fly them off on their summer holidays. It wasn’t that we were poor – we’ve been worse, but there wasn’t an urgency. Also, we were up against a team I’d put among the better we’ve faced at the Bank this season.
They did begin to fade in the final 15, and we came into it without any real threat. The biggest news of the first half was Cambrdige getting their goal against Forest Green – that put the pressure right on MK Dons. I felt for Morecambe, they’ve made a good fist of staying up, but Exeter City weren’t about to let former Plymouth manager Derek Adams have his moment at St James’ Park. Still, those who know me know I lived for a while in Cambridge, and them staying up would be a good thing; they’re a club that aspires to be like us and Shrewsbury. The alternative, MK Dons, are not like either. I do feel for the fans of theirs I like, but the club? Nah, not for me.
Adam Jackson, fresh from signing his two-year deal, came off at half time and it felt more like a planned move than anything serious. It didn’t make a huge difference to us, Roughan slotted in nicely at the back in his place, and if we can keep him, we’ll be in good shape – Roughan and Jackson either side of O’Connor could be sufficient, given the departure of Poole, which is surely going to happen. Poole, awarded the 617 Player of the Year before the game, was excellent again, and will go to the Championship with the blessing of every Lincoln City fan. He’s played 130 times for the club in two-and-a-half years and he’s never let us down.
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