Lincoln City vs Exeter City - Play off first leg

[Forza Imps]

Exeter will be pleased with that but I think both of us will be wondering how some of those chances didn't go on.

 

[gijsbert_bos]

Disappointed not to get something today, after making a token effort in the first half Exeter shut up shop. Whilst our away record isn't great we do like a high-pressure, one-off game so I'm looking forward to Thursday.

 

[pontoonlew]

Advantage Exeter you'd have to say but Lincoln edged that over 90 mins.

Hilarious hearing Cowley saying Matt Rhead doesn't get the protection he deserves haha.

 

[Vanni]

Looks like I didn't miss much but why the hell was this on at the same time as the Tranmere match? Had to watch that one as it was a one off game while this match is only part 1.

ps - or conversely, why was the Tranny match today and not tomorrow? FFS, I need to watch as many footy games I can before the season's over.

 

[Redwhitestripes]

exeter came not to lose and well done but i think exeter playing at home having to go forward would suit lincoln

 

[TomImp]

For me both teams had no urgency what so ever especially first half. Stockley should of buried that chance first half. As probably should of rhead second.

Felt the ref was a bit niggley and didn’t really let the game flow but I think he made the right calls on the penalty shout. I would say he seemed happy to let their time wasting go but so did we.

All in all a tense playoff game. All to play for on Thursday and we do thrive on one off matches. Hopefully I can get off work so I can make it down.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Two decent penalty shouts and Rhead has been elbowed with nothing from the ref, who hates us.

Decent penalty shouts? Utter nonsense. Maybe if Rhead hadn't spent the game backing into and elbowing defenders he might have got somewhere. It's not the National League any more

 

[Indian Dan]

Snore fest

 

[denzel ecfc]

Happy with the result which was probably a fair reflection of the game. I think we will go 4-4-2 at home so Stockley will have some help. I did say that with JMT back we wouldnt concede three again and so it proved

 

[denzel ecfc]

What time wasting? Seriously.

 

[T.A]

Looks like I didn't miss much but why the hell was this on at the same time as the Tranmere match? Had to watch that one as it was a one off game while this match is only part 1.

ps - or conversely, why was the Tranny match today and not tomorrow? FFS, I need to watch as many footy games I can before the season's over.

Cause non-league is a part of the BT Network. It was always going to be on Saturday at 3pm regardless of whether a P/O was on Sky.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Not the bravest of predictions Denzel, but a pre game prediction none the less. I’m on my travels again so didn’t manage to see it

 

[Luke Imp]

Decent penalty shouts? Utter nonsense. Maybe if Rhead hadn't spent the game backing into and elbowing defenders he might have got somewhere. It's not the National League any more

Bit rich from a supporter who has Stockley leading the line! He was as bad as Rhead today.

Anyway, a draw was about right over the 90. Kinda went as I thought i.e. poor first half and booked our ideas up in the second. Seems to have been a pattern for most of the season in that respect.

Neither team created too much and Waterfall and Wharton kept Stockley quiet with relative ease.

Exeter seemed to knock it around ok at times, but just in 2m triangles without really going anywhere. They end up going longer into Stockley anyway, so it's a lot of time they waste trying not to do what they end up doing.

We looked a bit off it. Not aided by a RB at LB and a CB at RB, which unsettled the balance of the side. No Frecklington either with Bostwick and Wilson both carrying knocks (and losing Wharton in the final 5 minutes).

Neither team really gave it a good go IMO. I was waiting for someone to grab the game a bit but it never happened. Both seemed to be ok with a draw.

 

[Grecian O'Grecian]

Draw was fair I thought. We edged the first half but Lincoln were the better side in the second period and Pym made a very good save to deny Green. Think we tried to push for something once we brought on Simpson and went 2 up front but we couldn't get a foothold in the game at that point.

Thought the ref was good. Wasn't fooled by the non existent penalty shouts or influenced by players crowding around him at every opportunity.

All to play for in the second leg.

 

[TomImp]

A random thing about the ref he seemed to give very low high foots. Happened to both teams but just seemed a bit weird.

We looked a bit off it. Not aided by a RB at LB and a CB at RB, which unsettled the balance of the side. No Frecklington either with Bostwick and Wilson both carrying knocks (and losing Wharton in the final 5 minutes)

Yeah I thought we looked really lopsided today.

What time wasting? Seriously.

In my opinion yes. Obviously yours differs. But I do think it’s an area where fans are blinkered especially ours.

Exeter fans do you think you’ll come at us all guns blazing or be slightly more cautious?

 

[Moomin]

Yeah decent result and we were fairly comfortable although Pym did make a decent save from Green and Rhead was unlucky with the header against the bar.

We had the better chances in the first half and ordinarily Stockley would have done better with his chances and Taylor forced a decent save out of Allsop in the 2nd half.

I’d say we have the advantage with our home form but we need to be wary of Lincoln. Wouldn’t be surprised if this goes to extra time at least.

 

[Conker]

Stockley was nowhere near as bad in comparison to Rhead from a neutral viewpoint.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Yes we appeared happy with a draw I'm the end but we were away! The onus was on Lincoln and they looked poor
I'm hoping they will be just as poor on Thursday

 

[Guernica]

Tight game but we edged it.

Hoping Habergham and Frecklington are back as at the moment we're suffering from square pegs in round holes. Having these back will make a big difference and balance us up. The return leg are the types of games we love; away from home, big underdogs with injuries/fatigue. I'm sure we'll fight for everything and hopefully the fat lad can nick us one.

 

[Laker]

Looks like I didn't miss much but why the hell was this on at the same time as the Tranmere match? Had to watch that one as it was a one off game while this match is only part 1.

ps - or conversely, why was the Tranny match today and not tomorrow? FFS, I need to watch as many footy games I can before the season's over.

Yeah, ours was the Sunday after the cup final - why have they stopped doing that now?

 

[denzel ecfc]

By the way we still havent won a first leg but up to now have won every second leg in a play off semi..

 

[GodsGift]

Thought we were worthy of a 1-0 win based on that 10-15 minute period we had at the start of the second half, but other than that it was a very tight, cagey affair so I can't grumble too much at the result. Exeter didn't do a great deal but you can tell they're a dangerous side. The second leg will be a totally different affair. I'd probably settle for extra time and penalties!

 

[GTFCfish]

I fancied Lincoln to win the play offs before this but that’s as I expected them to have an advantage after the home leg.
Think Exeter will be too strong at home for them now though.

 

[Plumbob]

Sky already calling us direct. Who cares? It's League Two.

Sean Derry on Talksport this morning said something like "Lincoln are direct, Notts County play to their strengths by getting the ball in the box early". What a fucking idiot.
Pretty poor game today. Exeter better first half us better second. The lad Stockley was every bit a handful as any big forward I've seen this season. Not sure he is the star some would believe, after all he played an air shot with the goal gaping about 5 yards in front of him. Also spent as much time on his arse and whinging as the king of it.

 

[Davidimp]

Decent penalty shouts? Utter nonsense. Maybe if Rhead hadn't spent the game backing into and elbowing defenders he might have got somewhere. It's not the National League any more

That was the opposite end of the ground from you....
Our usual problem this season just lacking that little of something in front of goal in tight games like today.

 

[Davidimp]

Sean Derry on Talksport this morning said something like "Lincoln are direct, Notts County play to their strengths by getting the ball in the box early". What a fucking idiot.
Pretty poor game today. Exeter better first half us better second. The lad Stockley was every bit a handful as any big forward I've seen this season. Not sure he is the star some would believe, after all he played an air shot with the goal gaping about 5 yards in front of him. Also spent as much time on his arse and whinging as the king of it.

Stockley wasn't as good today as last time as you say far too much moaning,
Poor man's Rhead in that department.

 

[GTFCfish]

Why do some Lincoln fans get so tetchy about being called direct?
It’s League 2, most teams in it are direct in some capacity so why get so offended, if it works for you which it obviously does then why give a fuck what Shaun Derry or anyone else thinks?

If I could get promoted by playing direct then I’d take it in a heart beat.

 

[Plumbob]

Why do some Lincoln fans get so tetchy about being called direct?
It’s League 2, most teams in it are direct in some capacity so why get so offended, if it works for you which it obviously does then why give a fuck what Shaun Derry or anyone else thinks?

If I could get promoted by playing direct then I’d take it in a heart beat.

Not tetchy from me. Merely pointing out Notts "playing to their strengths" and by no means direct! Exeter lumped the ball to Stockley a fair bit too. As you say, most sides have some element of it. Unfortunately some are not willing to see it!
Think we will be seeing you next season.

 

[Imp in Branston]

I thought we were poor for all of the first half, Exeter hardly had to break sweat. Second half we played a bit more consistently and had chances but still didn't do quite enough to take an advantage down to Devon.

As feared and symptomatic of much of our recent performances, we seem to be getting a few niggles and knocks and it's now going to be tough not taking a lead to Exeter. If anyone can get a result it would be a DC team, I just cannot see it as things stand though.

The home support were excellent again, they really have been the 12th man for much of this season.

 

[Sydney Posse]

Definitely would have taken a draw before the game, so pretty happy. Expect it to be very tight again on Thursday, I honestly don't think there is much between the 2 sides, they are both decent for this level, albeit different playing styles. Harley has not played much of late, but when he is on form he is fantastic, and so it proved today. Lot's will talk about Stockley, or Rhead for the Imps, but Harley was quality today, and with him and Boateng playing together in midfield we can be a real force. Shame it hasn't happened much this season. I might be biased but I also think we have the best keeper in League 2 as well, which may be crucial. One thing is for sure, I will not be having a punt on Thursday, it's too close to call