We came out for the second period looking hungry, and in truth, we were. We were like a pack of wild dogs that had found a fresh deer carcass on the side of the road, we were queuing up to make the Cobblers’ night worse, and we did just that.
We teased a chance early on, and put the game fully beyond doubt just five minutes in. Fitzsimons made the error, playing the ball straight to Moylan, but the keeper probably deserves credit for a string of saves he made. Moylan, a man on fire, was only ever going to do one thing. I think he megged a defender again, seemingly lost the ball only to stroke it in with a gentle caress that was nonchalant and easy.
It was odd, feeling so comfortable, but I never felt concerned, and everyone will know that’s unusual for me. I’m the guy who deliberately predicts draws or defeats, because I’m worried the second I predict a win, we will lose. I’m superstitious, I’m nervy and I’m pessimistic, but even I am beginning to believe.
We circled that carcass, pinning them in as best we could. We played high and looked bold, with men forward to ask questions. For a long while now, certainly from 2021 onwards, we’ve been resolute, tough to beat but attractive? Free-flowing? I don’t know. I recall not six months ago some social media posters likening this to Kennedy ball, when you knew if we went 1-0 down, we’d lose. Now, you fancy us to score with every attack, and not because we have a prolific Joe Taylor or James Collins, but because everyone is good.
Everyone.
Then, the night’s dark moments. Firstly, Freddie went off injured after what was close to a Man of the Match display for me. He’s looking excellent, and while we can absorb his injury within the squad, I want him fit, because he frightens defenders. I then got frightened myself when Jack Vale lunged at Ben House in the area. It was deemed by Dowle to be over the top and dangerous, and he got a straight red. At the time, I didn’t see it. I’ve watched it back and there are too many bodies there to tell. That said, player reaction is notable, and not only did we appeal, but they appealed loudly for it not being, if it wasn’t that bad, they wouldn’t need to. There is one thing for sure, Jack Vale will not have any fond memories of Sincil Bank as he trudged off for an early bath (or shower, I’m not sure they all share a bath anymore).
One man down, two goals down and never really in the game anyway, Northampton could easily have capitulated, and they did. For the next 20 minutes, City just kept swinging, while they backed into a corner and just tried to limit the damage, badly. Street could have had our third, only for Fitzsimons to push the ball away, having previously put a header over. Tom Bayliss then delivered a corner into the net, but it was ruled out after a Street push.
Fitzsimons was the hero again not long after, as Darikwa dissected the defence with a ball to Oné, who saw his cross met by Street. The keeper saved point-blank, and was then on his feet to block Adam Reach’s effort from the rebound, which should really have made it 3-0. Chance after chance came the Imps’ way, even with changes. Dom Jefferies and Ivan Varfolomeev came on, Reading were still winning, and even Bradford played their part by scoring against Stockport. There was a buzz in the air, a glow of sorts, as the lights lit up the lush Sincil Bank turf.
Something else then lit up the night, a thunderbolt from our club-record signing. McGrandles, excellent in the midfield, worked a ball into the channel, which Moylan backheeled to Street. He touched it back to Magic Jack, who ended up pushing to the edge of the area to Varfolomeev. He took Fornah out of the game with a dip of the shoulder, before crashing a wonderful strike past the despairing Fitzsimons.
Moments later it was 4-0, and Moylan, again, was at the heart of it. His shot was saved by Fitzsimons, whose performance matched that of Jack Bonham for Bolton, but on hand was Street, who made sure by smashing the ball into the roof of the net.
Still City came forward, even with further changes. Oné saw a curling drive tipped onto the post by Fitzsimons, before Jefferies picked up the rebound, looking for his first goal of the season, only for the keeper to parry his shot away. Chance after chance, wave after wave of attacks. We might be second in the table, but right now, we look like we should be as well. Even with changes, we looked like a good team, and if you look like a good team, and do the things good teams do, you’re probably a good team.
We have good players. Nobody was poor tonight, and if anyone gets less than 7/10 on the player rater, it will be a travesty (apart from Wickens, because he didn’t have a lot to do). Ryan Oné caught my eye, he’s a superb addition to a team already doing well, but others were just as good. Jack Moylan is unplayable right now, Freddie too. Everyone is great, whether it’s the full-backs overlapping, the midfielders threading balls through, or the defenders putting their bodies on the line. We’re just good, and 4-0 didn’t flatter us. It probably flattered them, a side I expected to be a challenge, but who just ended up like the nameless, faceless henchmen dispatched in a superhero movie.
We held out to win 4-0, Stockport couldn’t find a goal at Bradford, so our lead over them grows by three points, and Bolton dropped points, but only two. Even now, eight points clear of them with a game in hand, 10 clear of Bradford and 12 clear of Stockport, I’m not daring to talk about automatic promotion.
I am daring to dream, though, because I know dreams are built on hard work. This Lincoln City team are hard-working, always have been under Michael Skubala. However, over the course of this season, we’ve become more. We’re more than the long ball merchants some managers erroneously have us pegged as. We’re more than a side that puts set pieces on you and fights for scraps. We’re looking increasingly like the complete package, an oven-ready automatic promotion side just needing to stay consistent, humble and fit.
Do that, and you might need your Loftus Road guidebook next season (other Championship grounds are available).
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