Destination: Lincoln
Distance: Approx 160 miles
Journey time: 3hrs
Departure time: 6.15am
Method of transport: Minibus
Cost: £10
Ground admission: Under 16's-£4 - Students-£8 - Adults-£12
Food/Drink: Pie-£1.70 - Bottle of pop-£1.30
Programme: £2
After Saturdays dismal showing against Torquay, people were starting to
believe the play-off dream was all but dead. However, we were hoping for an
improved performance today and three points could still see us in with a
shout.
Our second supporters game in three days, meant an early start, departing
from Gay Meadow at 6.45am. A packed out minibus, full of the regulars, set
off towards Birmingham all in boyount moods. At around 8ish we found
ourselves pulling into McDonalds somewhere between Birmingham and
Nottingham, where we all tucked into our breakfasts and filled the empty
holes. All fuelled up and raring to go we carried on with the journey
towards Lincoln, where we arrived at 9.30am.
We met up with our Lincoln counterparts at a playing field which made
Telford look posh, and thats putting it politely! The game kicked off at
11.00 and was a scrappy affair, seeing two players being substituted at the
referees request. Yet we managed to run out 4-2 winners, which included a
goal from myself! A similar scoreline from the afternoons game would go down
nicely.
At around 1.30 we arrived at Sincil Bank, where we enjoyed a rather
expensive pint, in the Social Bar at the back of the ground. I entered the
large, all seated, modern, away stand just short of 2.15 and after blagging
my way in as a kid, I had the feeling it would be an enjoyable afternoon.
The teams emerged and Town attacked the goal, behind which the healthy
following of 355 Salopians, were situated. The game got off to an exciting
start with as the Shrews enjoyed all the possession early on, and within
five minutes we were one goal to the good, courtesy of Luke Rodgers. Lincoln
never really threatened but were gifted an equaliser after a moment of
madness by the far too casual Redmile, which allowed Thorpe to level the
tie. Thats the way the game looked like finishing, until a minute into
injury time, Jamie Tolley's deflected shot put Town 2-1 up and sent the
travelling fans barmy! It was a very emotional, yet proud moment as the
play-off dream was kept alive.
As the whistle blew we departed the ground, singing, and a heck of alot
happier than we were when we entered. From the exit gates, we headed
straight back to the Social Bar to carry on the celebrations, before leaving
Lincoln at around 6.00 and stopping off at an Off-License. The jouney home
was buzzing! The beer kept on flowing as did the songs, it was a day we
didn't want to end. Everybody had, had a brilliant day which was rounded off
nicely by the result. As we pulled into the Meadow at just turned 9.30pm, I
found myself still reliving the moment Tolley's shot hit the back of the
net, and dreaming of what will be a superb day out in Cardiff. Three points
on Saturday will keep the dream going, and hopefully turn it into reality.
Lets just makesure we get them. COME ON TOWN!!!!!!!!!