It was hard to keep count of what the second period brought. The ‘nothing on the line’ mantra disappeared as a couple of tasty challenges went in, one resulting in House and Bozzy going nose-to-nose. It never threatened to spill over, but a couple of bookings suggested it had the potential – if there had been something on the line, then perhaps it would, but by this stage, I’m not sure Boston could say they were playing for pride, as it had already been dented. They did have a couple of decent efforts either side of the break, one after Jensen came rushing out of his goal but cleared straight to an opponent and another that went just over. It didn’t matter, as City soon put the game to bed.
Mandroiu and Sorensen linked up for a fourth, finished off superbly by our Irish import, who was showing some flashes of the skill we know he possesses. He’s a player I’m excited to see this season, fit and ready from the off. A season of football in England will have helped shape his game, but that flair he has always had was visible in his superb finish. Moments after that, Hackett got away and provided for House, who made sure he got his name on the pre-season scorers’ list. 5-0, redemption for two years ago.
Could we go better? A slew of changes on 63 minutes certainly changed the game, with both sides completely replacing their starting XI. It was nice to see Ahui and Cann looking physically imposing, whilst youngsters such as Worsfold-Gregg, Gallagher and Jay Benn also got minutes. Jovon is certainly an imposing figure, whilst one popular face got himself heavily involved as well – Charley Kendall.
Ted Bishop, making his first pre-season appearance, had an effort blocked, as did Kendall. The changes didn’t upset the flow of the game too much – if anything watching those with a point to prove made it feel less like a friendly than the first hour. A couple of tasty challenges went in, and one player, in particular, got a lot of stick from City fans. You could say he brought it on himself – a headed challenge with Ahui saw our player’s finger catch the trialist’s face, but he went down in ‘agony’, before suggesting to the referee he’d been elbowed. Short, blond hair and an angry expression made him look like a famous rapper – ‘calm down, Slim Shady’ shouted Ben. Ouch.
For the next twenty minutes, the poor lad was hammered incessantly every time he got the ball, and every time he took a throw-in. When a lofted ball over the top saw him miss a header, resulting in Hackett’s cross for Kendall to score, fans celebrated for a moment before singing ‘It’s all your fault’ to the young lad. I felt sorry for him at this point – he got his big chance of a trial with Boston, and 500+ Lincoln fans absolutely destroyed him.
Mind you, 11 Lincoln players were destroying the Pilgrims, and number seven came later on. Hayden Cann, a player I thought looked very confident and strong, got on the end of a corner to nod home. The final whistle brought an end to Boston’s misery, but many had poured out of the stadium before that. City fans didn’t; we waited to applaud the players, briefly forgetting it was only a friendly.
I really liked the look of a couple of our new boys – Smith and Hackett both seem comfortable and good on the ball. Ethan Erhahon had a solid game, but he wasn’t obviously our best player as he appeared to be last season, and that’s a testament to everyone else. Lasse was outstanding, full of running as he discovers his calling at wing-back, and Elicha Ahui impressed me on the left. I also noted some lovely crossfield balls from our wide centre-backs, TJ Eyoma having a good game, and Roughan looking like the asset we believe him to be.
Nobody played poorly, and it’s really easy to get carried away with a friendly, which I’m trying not to do. Winning 7-0 at Boston United means nothing in the grand scheme of things, but it does feed into the positivity I felt at the end of last season. There’s a connection with this group of players that we haven’t had in a couple of seasons, and the recruitment has looked strong over the summer. There’s a way to go before we head to Bolton, and we’ll be stronger when we do, not weaker. Of course, it’ll be interesting to see if Smith can find those key passes against League One midfielders if Hackett can pick out the pockets of space on the edge of the box when there are three better centre-backs seeking to stop him.
Still, we won 7-0, so for one day, I’m pretending like it did matter.
Away from the game, it was a great day for me personally. My brother and nephew, Paul and Isaac, came to the game. It’s the first time I have been to a game with my brother since the opening day of the 2003/04 season, and it’s Isaac’s second City game (first away). Dave, one of my best mates who will become a nephew by marriage, was also there, and the whole podcast team as well. It was great to be surrounded by such good people, watching a City side I believe in, on an occasionally sunny afternoon. Recently, my life has been full of good days – the stag weekend, two weddings and such, and this coming week I’m away in Bath for Fe’s birthday, but this day will rank as one to remember as well, for so many reasons.
Best pre-season friendly I’ve ever been to? I might just be tempted to say yes. Next stop, Bolton Wanderers away.
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