On November 22nd, Lincoln City had just been beaten 3-2 by Wycombe at their place. We were ninth in terms of PPG (1.64), and our goal difference was poorer than all but two of the top ten teams in the division.
We’d lost five matches, the same number as two teams in the bottom half, let alone the top half. With the tough Christmas period to come, a period that we always seemed to struggle in, hope wasn’t springing eternal. Out of the FA Cup, soon to be out of the EFL Trophy, and very divided opinions coming from social media.
28 games later, Lincoln City are crowned League One champions with 100 points, most goals scored, fewest conceded, a goal difference more than double all but one of our rivals and a PPG of 2.22. Crucially, the loss column still says five, matching Luton Town’s 28 matches in 2018/19.
Proper champions, and not just an accolade we have bestowed upon ourselves, one presented to us by travelling supporters who took the time to unveil a banner proclaiming us so. Never has a team won League One to such universal acclaim and respect. League One? Completed it, mate.
Underneath the pomp and ceremony, there was a game of football, and while celebration continued long into the night (and will start again this evening), perhaps that level of excitement would have been slightly dampened by a defeat. Instead, we got a remarkable game of football, proper end-of-season stuff, albeit with a game to go, against a decent, committed opponent likely to be around the top six next season.
Indeed, what should have been a straightforward celebration briefly threatened to unravel, before the champions ultimately got the job done in front of a buoyant home crowd.
In terms of team news, Kamil Conteh got another run out on the bench, as Tom Hamer was unable to play. Deji Elerewe got his first start in a City shirt, while one-time Imps target Taylor Allen was on the bench for the visitors. Fred Onyedinma, a player I’ve always liked, started for the Chairboys, while Junior Quitirna, another talent, was among their subs.
The fanzone was packed for the final time before restructuring, and I made sure to queue in the Centre Spot for a drink one last time. It’s a little sad to see the old bar knocked down, but it’s never truly been fit for our growth. With awkward pillar placement, queuing and sitting is a difficult combo, and yet the bar has such fond memories for me. I’m infamous among my friends’ group for having pointless parties, and my 27th and 29th were held in the Centre Spot, as well as my book launch. I’ve had some great times in there, so it felt important to queue for one last drink. Goodbye, old friend.
It felt like a party from the outset, a passing of the baton from one division to the next, a celebration of the old and ushering in the new. The tribute kit and presence of some 1975/76 heroes only served to strengthen that, as did the guard of honour from Wycombe players, something we did for Portsmouth two years prior. To finally be the centre of attention, the protagonist in their rising story was beautiful, but to have such magnanimous opponents, in the stands and on the field, made things feel even better. It was all just nice.
Then the game kicked off, and the serious stuff started. Wycombe might have been gracious, but they were no patsies and, at times, troubled us more than 80% of League One sides have this season. Not so much in the first half, as they didn’t register a shot on target and we started on the front foot. After four minutes, Jack Moylan drifted into space on the edge of the box and teed up Ivan Varfolomeev, whose effort cleared the bar. Wycombe responded with a dangerous header in the 12th minute that dropped over, but the early signs suggested we were in control.
Reeco Hackett was lively throughout, and on 15 minutes he drove into the box only to see his effort deflect wide. Moylan then whipped in a dangerous corner midway through the half, but it came to nothing despite causing problems in the area. Moylan was just ridiculous early on. Every time he got the ball, he looked likely to do something. I could see the zeros being added to his value with every shimmy and nutmeg.
The breakthrough arrived on 33 minutes, and it was a moment worthy of the occasion. Moylan picked up possession deep in Wycombe territory, megged Niall Huggins, surged forward past a couple of challenges and unleashed a strike that clipped the bar before dropping into the bottom corner. It was a goal that matched the mood inside the ground, although Wycombe weren’t happy and maybe so. In the build-up, Ben House definitely blocks one of their players, and I’ve seen some referees penalise it. It would have been a shame, because it is a terrific run and strike that lit up the Bank.
As a plume of red smoke drifted down the west bank, we doubled the lead. A clear handball from Luke Leahy presented Hackett with the chance from the spot, and he made no mistake, sending Will Norris the wrong way to make it 2-0. It was a nice moment for Reeco who has had a terrific season, and it took him to ten league goals.
For the remainder of the half, City were in complete control, and Wycombe were playing the faceless henchmen to the best of their abilities. We could have extended the lead further before the break, with Varfolomeev testing Norris in added time, but the visitors held on until the break. With an xG of 1.45 to 0.95, perhaps they could have worked Wickens more, and it certainly wasn’t a whitewash Northampton style, but we took our chances, and they did not.
Maybe that’s why they were the ones giving us a guard of honour.