As the 1987/88 GM Vauxhall Conference campaign reached its decisive stage, the Imps found themselves in a high-stakes battle for promotion.
We know it turned out alright, but at the time, the pressure was intense, the margin for error razor-thin. On this day in 1988, just days after a sobering midweek defeat at Macclesfield, City welcomed lowly Wealdstone to a rain-soaked Sincil Bank in a fixture that, on paper, appeared the perfect chance to regain lost momentum.
But as manager Colin Murphy warned beforehand, in this league, no game was guaranteed three points.
The Stakes
The defeat at Macclesfield had been Lincoln’s first league loss in 20 matches, stretching back to November when Sutton inflicted a 4-1 defeat. That stumble opened the door for promotion rivals Barnet and Kettering and at kickoff, the table was tense: Barnet led the way on 76 points from 38 games, with Lincoln four points behind but holding two games in hand. Kettering, just a point back from the Imps, had played one more. Every match was now critical.
Wealdstone, by contrast, were languishing near the foot of the table. With relegation fears looming, they arrived as underdogs—but not without warning signs. Murphy was quick to point out their solid away record and tendency to lose only narrowly. “Every match at the moment is going to be a scrap,” he said in typically grounded fashion.
Injury Concerns and Tactical Questions
Adding to the sense of trouble, City were dealing with a growing injury list. Regular keeper Nigel Batch was sidelined following knee surgery, and Richard Wilson stepped in between the posts. Steve Buckley, Bob Cumming, Gordon Simmonite and Graham Bressington were all nursing knocks and faced late fitness tests.
However, the return of Paul Smith to the starting XI and the eventual green lights for Buckley and Cumming added some much-needed experience and steel to a squad aiming to show they were made of promotion material. City lined up Richard Wilson; Clive Evans, Dave Clark, Andy Moore, Trevor Mathewson, Steve Buckley; Paul Casey, Bob Cumming (Sertori), Phil Brown, Paul Smith, John McGinley. Subs Mark Sertori, Graham Bressington
First Half Frenzy
What followed was a first half that delivered everything: goals, drama, and controversy. After a nervy start that saw Wilson produce an outstanding early save to deny the dangerous Tony Lynch, we gradually asserted control. Despite Wealdstone’s robust defensive line—built on the experience that had earned them fifteen draws that season—Lincoln’s pressure grew.
The breakthrough came in the 36th minute. From a Dave Clarke corner, a frantic goalmouth scramble led to a handball, and the referee pointed to the spot. John McGinley stepped up with authority and drove his penalty into the bottom corner, sending keeper Kevin Foster the wrong way and notching his 19th goal of the campaign.
Just minutes later, City were two up. A calamitous backpass from Danny Bailey was seized upon by the alert Phil Brown, who coolly lifted the ball over the advancing Foster. It was a poacher’s finish and a timely reminder of Brown’s predatory instincts.
Then, chaos.
What started as a simple coming-together between Buckley and Lynch rapidly descended into a full-scale melee. Wealdstone’s Samson Olaleye took offence, throwing a punch that ignited a mass confrontation. Substitutes and staff from both dugouts joined in to break things up. Amid the pandemonium, referee Mr Morley took decisive action: Olaleye was sent off, Buckley was booked, and Lynch escaped punishment. It was a flashpoint that might have derailed City’s rhythm—but instead, it sharpened their focus.
In first-half stoppage time, Brown struck again. This time, he collected a smart pass from McGinley, cut inside from the wing, and arrowed a low drive diagonally across the keeper. Three goals, a red card, and a touchline fracas—Sincil Bank was rocking.
Second-Half Control Without Goals
With Wealdstone reduced to ten men, City sought to turn dominance into a rout. Mark Sertori replaced Cumming to add fresh legs, and the home side launched wave after wave of attacks. However, their attempts were often thwarted by the visitors’ well-drilled offside trap—a tactic City themselves had used to great effect throughout the season.
Paul Smith came closest to extending the lead, skimming the post, while Paul Casey tested Foster with a 30-yard thunderbolt. At the other end, Lynch remained Wealdstone’s sole threat, twice going close with a shot into the side netting and a low drive that struck the post.
Ultimately, there were no more goals, but none were needed. Lincoln had done their job in the first half. The second was about control, professionalism, and avoiding further injuries.
The Bigger Picture
Elsewhere, results favoured the Imps. Weymouth were beaten, and Kettering could only manage a draw. City’s 3-0 win tightened the title race and reignited belief around the terraces. The 4,159 supporters at Sincil Bank knew they’d witnessed not just a result, but a statement.
Murphy’s men had suffered a wobble, but this was the perfect response. The squad had weathered injury adversity, stayed disciplined despite provocation, and showed the attacking class that had made them promotion favourites. With games in hand and form returning, hopes of a return to the Football League were alive and well.
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