Saturday 16th February 2008

Kick-off 3pm

The Silkmen renew rivalries with Lincoln City this weekend just eleven days after their initial meeting at the Moss Rose. The Imps ran out 2-1 winners that night in a game we dominated but as has so often been the case in recent weeks failed to make the most of the chances we created. But a four game unbeaten away run provides hope that we can go there and take suitable revenge and secure a much needed three points.

Lincoln Symes

Last time out

IAN'S THOUGHTS ON THE GAME
"It's strange coming up against a side so quickly again after our first meeting. So to that extent we should know what to expect from each other. We of course had by fair the greater share of possession that day and there is no reason why we can't do that again. They claim to have had an off night at the Moss so they will no doubt be looking to show what they are capable of and build on another win they had in the week. So it is going to be tough but so was the prospect of the visit to Morecambe last Saturday and before that to the MK Dons, Darlington and Peterborough. We take great confidence from those results and we go there expecting to win."

CURRENT HOME FORM:

The Imps had a slow to start to the season on home turf but have picked up of late since the arrival of new manager Peter Jackson. However they surprisingly lost last time out at home to fellow strugglers Mansfield Town.

The currently sit 16th in League 2 with 37 points from 32 games. Their home record reads P16 W5 D3 L8 F12 A28 PTS18

Wins against: Accrington (2-0), Notts County (2-1), Barnet (4-1), Dagenham (2-0), Rochdale (2-1)

Draws against: Morecambe (1-1), Peterborough (1-1), Bury (1-1)

Defeats to: Shrewsbury (4-0), Bradford (2-1), Grimsby (2-1), Chester (1-0), Chesterfield (4-2), Darlington (4-0), Rotherham (3-1), Mansfield (2-1)

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS

Saturday's trip to Lincoln will be our twelfth and having picked up just one draw from our last seven visits, including the pain of a play-off first leg defeat in 2005, the Silkmen will be keen to add to their solitary win at Sincil Bank back in February 2001.

John Askey was the hero that day popping up with a last minute strike to take all three points back to Cheshire. The Silkmen's other goal in the 2-1 came from Darren Tinson. The team on display that day was as follows:

Martin, Hitchen, Tinson, Ingram, Adams, Durkan, Keen, Wood, Munroe, Rioch (Whitehead 79), Askey (Connell 89)

Subs not used Bullock, O'Neill, Abbey

Bookings: Askey (Macclesfield)

Attendance: 1853

ADMISSION PRICES

CO-OP Community Stand

Adults* £15, Concessions £11, Under 15's £5

* The prices quoted above are for tickets purchased prior to match day. Tickets purchased on match day will cost £2 more. Concessions apply to under 20's, over 60's and the disabled.

You can contact the club on 0870 899 2005 or visit www.redimps/tickets .

GETTING THERE

It may not be one of the longest trips in terms of distance but it is probably one that will take longest to undertake given the lack of any motorway options to Lincolnshire. The best route in is on the A46 which can be accessed via the A1 at Newark. The ground is on the edge of the town and well sign posted. If you follow the signs for 'away coaches' this leads you onto the A158 South Park Avenue, where there is plenty of street parking to be found (although it is a ten minute walk around to the ground). Otherwise the signs lead you to the ground, where if you arrive early then you can park behind the Stacey West Stand (cost £4). It can be congested in the area so be sure to give yourself plenty of time.

Lincoln Central is a fifteen minute walk away from the ground and reached via changes at Stockport and Sheffield. Typical journey time is just over two and a half hours.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Jarnail Singh is the man in the middle this weekend, the Middlesex official currently enjoying his 4th season on the Football League list. So far this season he has taken charge of 23 games including Lincoln's home win against Accrington. In that time he has issued 69 yellow and two red cards.

Jarnail's last encounter with the Silkmen was at Moss Rose for the visit of MK Dons in August 2006. We lost that day and that made it five games without a win in matches Jarnail has officiated. This included a previous Silkmen vs The Imps encounter back in February 2006. The game at the Moss Rose finished one apiece with Clyde Wijnhard scoring from the spot.

LATEST ODDS
Bet365 have the home side as 10/11 favourites. A Silkmen win is on offer at 11/4 and the draw priced at 9/4.

ONE TO WATCH

Look no further than Lincoln front man Jamie Forrester. The pacy forward scored at the Moss Rose the other week and followed that up with another in the Imps win over Rochdale on Saturday. That left him one shy of reaching double figures.