Gillingham, unbeaten in 14, come to Lincoln full of a confidence, but they are eighth for a reason, namely draws. A club with a big budget by League 2’s standards has just lost £600,000 in their last financial year, so promotion needs to happen sooner rather than later you fear. This is now a must win game for both sides you feel for different, perhaps polar and similar reasons. We are at one end of the table, aware we must stay in it, whilst they are at the other desperate to get out. Should either side fail in their missions, the financial losses for both will see the 6 figure losses at both continue to lengthen.
But enough doses of reality for one day, this is a battle between 22 goal Cody McDonald and Ashley Grimes with Akinfenwa and Hutchinson in supporting casts along with two ex Spurs lads in Barcham and Hughton. If all play to their undoubted offensive strengths it could be worth a score never mind the £16 quid entry to see the nets ripple once twice or perhaps thrice. And that Impdom is the magic number we hope Grimes chimes before the end of the season.
To the Teams & Schemes this Sincil Super Saturday footy fans, bring on the Sincil Bank artisans and thespians.
Lincoln City 4-4-2
Parish
Kelly Hone Watts Anderson
Howell Fuseini Kilbey McCallum
Grimes Hutchinson
Gillingham 4-3-3
Julian
Fuller Gowling Laurence Martin
Weston Mayer Spiller
McDonald Akinfenwa Barcham
Previous Jousts at The Bank
City have a good record over the Gills at the Bank, winning our last encounter, as well as 11 of the 22 matches played overall. The Gills can breathe a little easier when one considers that they have won 7 and drawn four of the other half. The fixture was last played in October 2008, with Jacko’s Imps the victors and Stimpson’s stooges the vanquished inside the first quarter of an hour. We were two goals to the good in as many minutes with the game still in its infancy. Lee Frecklington, converted Green’s peach of a cross on 12, leaving the keeper rooted to his penalty spot. Then moments later Adrian ‘The Count’ Patulea played in Le Fusee Rouge, for it was he Dany G, who tore tore into the box and finished with aplomb. No more goals alas but the healthy Tuesday crowd of 4,396 (322 visiting supporters) had seen the Imps increase our unbeaten run to eight. And by Jove that was four wins on the spin with the mighty Imps up to 10th on 22 points, a place and a point above the Gills.
Recent encounters between the teams
| Season | Date | Team | Result | Team | Comp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010/2011 | Sat 21 Aug | Gillingham | 0 - 1 | Lincoln City | League Two |
| 2008/2009 | Tue 27 Jan | Gillingham | 1 - 2 | Lincoln City | League Two |
| 2008/2009 | Tue 28 Oct | Lincoln City | 2-0 | Gillingham | League Two |
| 1998/1999 | Sat 20 Mar | Gillingham | 4 - 0 | Lincoln City | League Division Two |
| 1998/1999 | Sat 31 Oct | Lincoln City | 1 - 2 | Gillingham | League Division Two |
| 1995/1996 | Sat 13 Jan | Gillingham | 2 - 0 | Lincoln City | League Division Three |
| 1995/1996 | Sat 19 Aug | Lincoln City | 0 - 3 | Gillingham | League Division Three |
For a detailed analysis of the complete head-to-head record between the two sides, click here
Recent respective form guides
The Imps are up to average on Vic’s yard of ale half full Optimometer, winning 3 and losing 2 of their last six with 7 for and 10 against half a habitual tiding – shock horror half a dozen against the Millers. The Gills are breathing freely, unbeaten for over two months, a run of 14 games stretching back to a 0-2 defeat to Chesterfield, the league leaders, on January 25th. Were it not for 9 draws they would be higher than 8th for sure. Gillingham won their last away game but with the previous 5 all draws and 7 goals for and 6 against; we could well get a point today.
Current overall team form
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln City | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 4 |
| Gillingham | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 12 |
For a detailed analysis of current team form guides in this or any division, click here
Lincoln City Mad's prediction ...
Neil: Imps to win - a brace for Grimes and a Passionista Party
Vic: Its another defeat I fear and after listening to Tilson suggesting he will be unable to get the players he wishes next season their could be a few board out chants.
Ivan: Away win, a 0-0 if we are lucky and they are off or should that be true to form?
Sequence statistics
| Team | Sequences |
|---|---|
| Lincoln City | Latest 4 games ended in defeat. Not won in the 5 most recent games. |
| Gillingham | Undefeated in last 9 away games. 15 games since last defeat. |
For a detailed analysis of current team sequences throughout the leagues, click here