Fleetwood Town 1 Lincoln United 0

Saturday November 10th 2007 UniBond League Premier Division
Crowd: 411
Goal: FTFC: Jamie Milligan

Long-serving Fleetwood Town manager Tony Greenwood celebrated his 250th game in charge with an important victory; the valuable three points re-invigorating Town's promotion challenge. In truth the impotent Lincoln United attack were never a threat in a disjointed match which was settled by Jamie Milligan's tenth goal of the season on the hour mark.

Although never close to their best, Town could have had a sackful of goals; United goalkeeper, Ben Scott, pulling off a string of spectacular saves. Steve Foster missed an early sitter for Town, and when Scott produced a brilliant point blank range save to repel a Kieran Walmsley blockbuster, the feeling grew that this might be one of those days for the home side. Foster was again off target with an attempted chip shot from outside the box and Lennie Reid added to the growing pressure with a fine strike which was again well saved by Scott. 

The second half began as the first period had ended with Town on top and Lincoln's last line of defence a seemingly implacable barrier. Reid was again denied, as was Andy Bell. But finally, Town broke the deadlock and it was crowd favourite Bell who was the main instigator; last season's supporters player of the year capitalising on a mistake by a Lincoln defender before skilfully evading two challenges on the left and delivering a pinpoint centre which Milligan rifled home with the aid of a deflection. In the final minutes, Reid, upon whom the match sponsors bestowed a slightly eccentric man of the match award, was replaced by Michael Brown. The former Preston wide man was immediately in the midst of the action and his mazy run created another opportunity for Walmsley which the Lincoln keeper again saved. Foster made way for Phil Denney and the muscular striker's impact was instant; his delightful lay off releasing the lively Brown for a shot which narrowly missed the target.

Ultimately, the scoreline flattered a Lincoln side completely devoid of attacking ideas and who are surely the first club to visit Highbury without apparently bringing a single supporter. Bell, Nathan Pond and debutant Shaun Beeley impressed, but my man of the match award went to skipper Ricky Mercer for his now customary warrior like display at the back.

Fleetwood Town Team: Hale, Beeley, Fitzgerald, Robinson, Mercer, Pond, Walmsley, Milligan, Foster (Denney), Bell, Reid (Brown). Not Used: Gray.