Actually, I lied just then. It might have felt like just before half time was a good time to score, but just after half time was even better. At 2-0, it only takes the one goal to turn things, to get that 1,800 strong support singing again. They say 2-0 is a dangerous scoreline, but 3-0? It has an air of completeness about it.
Within minutes of the restart, it was 3-0, and the men of the moment all combined to score a really smart headed goal. It began with Roughan, once again whipping in a cross on what was perhaps his best game in an Imps shirt. Paudie was free to nod it across goal to Jacko, almost like he was laying off a volleyball for a smash. The header isn’t easy; Jacko has to get power and placement behind it, and he did both sending it beyond Pym, who could do absolutely nothing. The rain was pouring down now, replacing the sunny skies of before the break, but nothing could dampen City’s spirits.
The rain might not have affected Mansfield, but our fourth goal drowned their dwindling hopes of a first win at Sincil Bank in the league since 2017. Within four minutes, the sun had come out, and it shined bright on the righteous as Jovon Makama got the better of Aden Flint, playing a delicious ball through to Ben House. The ‘we need a striker’ brigade will surely have been delighted to see our striker have one shot saved excellently by Pym, only to remain composed and slot the ball past him at the second attempt. That’s two in two for House now; he’s already matched his total for last season. If he stays injury-free, double figures beckons.
That was the game, in essence. Skubala began to make subs, changing shape and saving a few bodies. A few tackles had flown in and Seb Stockbridge had dealt with them perfectly. Quinn had hauled back McGrandles in the first half with our (third time) debutant through on goal and rightly been booked, Oshilaja perhaps a little harshly treated for catching Makama in the face. A couple of good, full-blooded tackles had been followed by a McGrandles lunge which didn’t catch the player, but did warrant a yellow, while House picked up a yellow for a customary meaty tackle of his own.
I have to say, I am now a Seb Stockbridge fan. I went apoplectic with rage back in 2017 when he sent off Billy Knott at Notts County, but he’s proven to be a calm head in recent seasons. He’s obviously respected by players, few argued with him and I noted Bayliss (for one) shake his hand as he went off the field. I think there was one decision on 88 minutes where I thought ‘that’s not right’ and it was a free kick I felt wasn’t warranted. One decision. This game could have bubbled over, a big derby, the first in the league for years, and he handled it with a firm hand, respect for the occasion and to the letter of the law without being over-zealous. I’d happily have him every week on that performance.
The game changed for the final 35 minutes; Mansfield made four changes after that time, we made five, and it broke things up. They got a goal, which was a real shame, but it was no less than they deserved. At least the away fans had something to cheer, the 1,600 that stayed after our fourth. I know it’s childish, but seeing a couple of hundred streaming out with 40 minutes to play warmed my little ginger heart like nothing else could (okay, like four goals already had). It’s the small things, and sending them home with nothing did feel nice, even if it didn’t feel quite as nice as doing it to Steve Evans and Mansfield at the same time.
There wasn’t a lot to cheer late on. We made changes, the players who came on did well, and Jack Moylan should really have made it 5-1 on 84 minutes, dragging a shot wide. Jacko, on a first career hattrick, also missed a glorious chance. Looking back, it was maybe easier than his two goals, but a brace is still a brilliant return for him. Six of our eight league goals this season have come from four defenders – that’s a sign that we’ve improved our set pieces no end. we’re not all about that, but it helps having that string to our bow.
We also got to see a late cameo from Aaron Lewis, who was once with us. It was bizarre – he left us with a bit of a ‘surfer dude’ aesthetic going off and came on the field yesterday looking like an extra from Brookside. Nice to see he’s gone on to make a decent career though – there’s very few ex-Imps I don’t want to see be a success after being here.
Across the field there were some great performances but I have to single out Darikwa. Losing Lasse was massive this summer, and the recruitment team broke the model to bring in the former Forest man. At 32, there’s little resale value, and he’s the oldest outfield player we’ve signed in a long while (even Liam Bridcutt was younger). I wasn’t dubious, especially not after meeting Tendayi myself, but he’s proving to be a bigger catch than I thought. He’s quick, attack-minded, adept at the back and he gets up and down like a man ten years younger. I’m not saying he’s better than Lasse; time will tell, but our right side doesn’t feel weaker, which is a massive statement.
I’m also going to shout out Tom Bayliss. It’s interesting I’ve picked these two, because they’re the two new components that looked most at ease in the old system, which is what yesterday was. Skubala played this way towards the end of last season and McGrandles, House, Makama and Erhahon were all part of that. Tendayi and Bayliss were not, but they looked most like their equivalent from last season. Tom is almost a like-for-like replacement for Ted Bishop and when he gets on the ball, you feel like something will happen. I can see why he won Man of the Match yesterday – he wasn’t my pick, but he was a decent pick.
The keeper’s union will want to give Wickens some credit, his distribution is really good, while those who champion the academy will be eager to point out how Jovon the man is so much more effective than Jovon the boy. It’s astounding how he has progressed, without a loan spell of any note, to become a first choice striker, but he’s done it. He might not be a natural finisher, but his work rate is outstanding, he’s good on the ball and he won half of headers against Flint, a proper old-school defender. His ball for House’s goal was precise and showed good vision as well.
It’s hard to credit everyone, but I almost feel like I should. Dom Jeffries is a square peg in a rectangular hole at left wing-back; he can play there, so he fits, but it’s not the best fit for him – I thought he did really well. Sean Roughan got an assist, a second assist and a goal, almost the perfect attacking display, from left centre back. Paudie and Jacko are like Raggett and Waterfall, trying to out do each other for goals, and Ethan Erhahon is just the heartbeat, better than this level by a mile. Fingers crossed that next week at this time, I’m still able to wax lyrical about him.
The Stags took the carcass of their performance home to pick over, but they’ll bounce back and on that showing, will be fine this season. As for us, we took a big step in this game. It was crucial to get something, because it sets a tone. Winning one and losing one leaves your form on a knife edge. Lose again, it’s three points from three games and I say it is crucial to keep your points tally greater than your games tally all season – do that and you’ll almost certainly stay up. It was more than that, though. I’d heard rumblings, mutterings of things not clicking, especially after two home defeats on the spin, so to emphatically put that to bed, to show that this team can do it, was nice.
It won’t be like that every week, but yesterday, we demonstrated that there’s huge potential in this group, a team much deeper in terms of talent than last season but seemingly heading in the right direction in terms of performance. Yesterday, we brushed aside a team I think are capable of finishing midtable, and we did so in our way. We took our time, we stalked our prey, and eventually, we went in four the kill.
Up the Imps.
This report is dedicated to Hoppo, who has sat behind us for many seasons now and has been a firm fixture of my matchday experience. Hope to see you back at the ground one last time my friend – your bravery and dignity in your ongoing battle is an inspiration and motivation for me and Dad to keep raising money for Cancer Research. Stay strong.
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