Third Place Swindon Town host second place Lincoln City at the County Ground in a top of the table clash. Swindon Town are expecting over 8,000 for this match including 1,000 Lincoln City supporters who will also have allocation on the Stratton Bank.
Vital Quotes:
‘I would really urge the fans to get right behind the boys tomorrow. We could do with the support tomorrow that is for sure.’
‘It would be great if they could all turn out in force tomorrow. They have done it all season, the away support has been absolutely fantastic, and we need them more than ever now.’
Swindon Town Caretaker Manager Ady Williams
Swindon Town Team News:
Swindon Town will play their first game since the departure of Gus Poyet and manager Dennis Wise. Town will be without Peter Brezovan, Andy Gurney, Andy Monkhouse, Charlie Comyn-Platt and Andy Caton. Jerel Ifil is suspended and will not feature due to his 5th yellow card against Shrewsbury last Saturday. Ady Williams will play as well as being manager. Paul Evans could make his return to the bench.
Player to watch: Phil Smith
Smith will have his work cut out for him with Jerel Ifil suspended and facing a team that won 7-1 last weekend. The defenders are really going to have to bond together.
Lincoln City Team News:
The Imps won 7-1 over Rochdale last weekend. Lincoln with have a full squad to chose from. Adie Moses (ankle) is set to return from a lay-off, whilst midfielder Lee Frecklington has also shaken off a calf strain and could feature against Swindon Town. Loanee Nicky Eaden has returned to Nottingham Forest after a decent loan period.
Player to watch: Mark Stallard
Mark Stallard has scored a fantastic 8 goals in 15 starts this season and will be a constant threat to Swindon. Stallard scored 2 goals in City’s game against Wycombe Wanderers on the 23rd of September.
Match Facts & Stats
This is the first time in 24 years that Lincoln City have visited the County Ground. The last time the 2 teams met at the County Ground was in April 1982. Swindon Town Historically are 5-3-2. Swindon Town won their last game at the County Ground against Lincoln City in 1982 1-0 with Andy Rowland scoring the winner.
Match Prediction:
This is a very difficult match to predict. With all the turmoil at Swindon Town it would look as if Lincoln have the upper hand. Swindon Town will have a solid fan base behind them but will it be enough. We predict Lincoln City 2, Swindon Town 1, because of the off the field activities.
Next Fixtures:
Coca Cola League Two: Swindon Town V Hereford United, Saturday November 4 2006, 3pm Kick Off.
Lincoln must be thinking its their season, this match was on paper the most difficult for them, then all this happens the week before they play us, with the injuries as well Town will do well to get any points here. Good luck to Ady & Co and hope its a good game.
Lincoln have got very lucky… lets hope this is not start of a downfall for us.