Memory Match: City Victorious Against Wrexham In Dark Days Encounter

The dark days. I’ve had a few periods myself classed as ‘dark days’ but I think in Imps’ terms, 2011 to 2016 could be classed as the dark ages.

We weren’t alone as we stumbled around Salisbury, wandered to Woking and battled Boreham Wood. Wrexham were down there too, and the end-of-season game this campaign just rubber-stamped a change in fortunes for us both. In fairness, they’re in a really good place, but after out October 13th, 2012 encounter, we were feeling like Hollywood royalty.

The Racecourse Ground has witnessed its fair share of footballing drama over the years, but few afternoons will have surprised the home crowd quite like what unfolded on 13 October 2012. City, winless on the road all season and languishing in the lower reaches of the Blue Square Bet Premier, produced a sensational attacking display to beat second-placed Wrexham 4-2.

In what had been billed as a likely home banker, few gave David Holdsworth’s side a chance. Wrexham were unbeaten in 12 and hadn’t lost at home since April. We were inconsistent and toothless away from Sincil Bank. Despite the form book, we got off to a blistering start.

The tone was set inside the first minute. Peter Bore’s clever pass sent Jamie Taylor through on goal with just 17 seconds gone, but the striker fired narrowly wide with only Andy Coughlin to beat. Moments later, he prodded over the bar from close range, and debutant Conner Robinson forced a save with a low strike. The intent was clear — City had come to play.

Wrexham, skippered by former Imp Dean Keates, were stunned. Their rhythm disrupted, their defence disjointed. And after a fast start, we took a deserved lead on 20 minutes. Robinson’s cross was only half-cleared, Dan Gray drove a shot into a sea of legs, and Nicky Nicolau pounced, taking a touch before rifling a finish past Coughlin for his fourth of the season.

Wrexham briefly threatened in response — Brett Ormerod fired wide — but the Imps’ organisation at the back, marshalled by Andrew Boyce and Tom Miller, stood strong. The game threatened to boil over midway through the first half with a flurry of contentious tackles, a push on Taylor by Declan Walker, and Wrexham challenges that flirted with red cards which had Holdsworth fuming on the touchline, but City remained composed.

Referee Brett Huxtable, to become famous for being a bit shit a few years later, booked three Imps players before the break — Taylor, Gray and Smith — but when the dust settled, the visitors led 1-0 at half-time. And in truth, it could have been more.

If the first half had been about chances and composure, the second was about quality. City picked their moments and struck with clinical precision. Just 11 minutes after the restart, Taylor doubled the lead in style. A sweeping move saw Gary Mills find Nicolau, who turned inside and fed the forward. Taylor spun his man and curled a sublime 25-yard effort beyond a stranded Coughlin. It was his fifth of the season — and arguably his finest.

Wrexham were rattled. Robinson, full of running and fearlessness, continued to probe. He was denied what looked like a clear penalty after a mazy dribble into the area. Moments later, Nicolau’s follow-up effort from the loose ball was blocked.

In the 69th minute, Miller surged down the left and sent a dangerous cross into the box. The clearance was weak and it fell to Robinson, who steadied himself and drilled low into the bottom corner to make it 3-0. The teenager had capped a superb performance with a goal — and Wrexham’s unbeaten home run was now in tatters.

Even when the hosts briefly rallied, with substitute Jay Colbeck volleying past Paul Farman on 79 minutes, Lincoln struck back. Colin Larkin, on as a substitute for Taylor, latched onto a pinpoint Nicolau pass, cut inside his man, and calmly finished to make it 4-1. It was his first goal from open play in a City shirt — and it put the game beyond doubt.

Nicolau almost had a second in the final minute, curling a delightful shot against the post. But the scoring wasn’t quite done — Joe Clarke grabbed a consolation for Wrexham deep into stoppage time, but it couldn’t take the gloss off a day that belonged entirely to the visitors.

For David Holdsworth, this might have been his finest afternoon as Lincoln City manager. His team selection — starting Nicolau, handing Robinson a start, and restoring Mills to midfield — paid off handsomely. His game plan to press, break quickly, and unsettle Wrexham was executed to perfection.

“The standards that we set today were excellent,” he told BBC Radio Lincolnshire post-match. “We’ve played very well here and the boys should take huge encouragement from it.”

Even Wrexham player-manager Andy Morrell, who admitted it had been a “bad day at the office,” was quick to praise the Imps’ energy and approach.

It wasn’t just a result; it was a statement. City had shown what they were capable of. The challenge, of course, was consistency — and that would remain elusive throughout the campaign, with Holdsworth gone before the season ended.

But for one glorious Saturday in October, the Imps were unstoppable.

Lincoln City: Paul Farman, Peter Bore, Andrew Boyce, Tom Miller, Peter Gilbert, Gary Mills, Dan Gray, Nicky Nicolau, Adam Smith (Jake Sheridan 65), Conner Robinson (Alan Power 86), Jamie Taylor (Colin Larkin 76).
Subs not used: Mamadou Fofana, Jake Turner.