The rather stately progress of the two supporters coaches once again vindicated the Robins Zyklusgruppen's dedication to public transport and an early start from Sutton via King's Cross and Newark saw us pitching up in lovely Lincoln well before lunch time. A stroll round the town centre and a walk up Steep Hill was a real pleasure; I certainly had no idea that Lincoln was so well-preserved and full of fascinating medieval buildings, not least the beautiful cathedral and castle both visible for miles around.
However, we don't have time for culture when there's a lunch to score and with a little local knowledge (gleaned by one of our number spending a considerable amount of time chatting to a very amenable lady) we found a decent restaurant, certainly a cut above our usual cafe. They parked us in our own private dining area, possibly because there were nine of us, possibly to distance us from the other diners and the food proved to be pretty good. I'm still smarting at my decision not to have the soup, which was apparently excellent, making do with some very pedestrian Potato Skins. My main course pasta was better but I'm struggling to give Cafe Zoot more than 6/10, even taking into account the private dining room.
So, onto Sincil Bank and that rarest of beasts for a non-league fan, an all seater stadium. The ground's 10,000 capacity was not to be tested but it was still a decent atmosphere for the game, helped by the Carshalton choir in fine voice. In true non-league style, the Robins fans stood for the whole game and gave the team their full support and the team repaid them handsomely. Lincoln were clearly fitter and technically more polished but the visitors worked hard at closing their opponents early and denying space in central areas. The longer the match went on the more confident we got, reaching half time well in control of the game. The friendly stewards praised us for coming and putting on a real show whilst bemoaning their own sides inconsistency and lack of confidence.
In truth the game was hardly a classic, with Nick Hamann rarely troubled and only shots from distance by Vines and Hamici ever threatening the Imps goal, but as the home support started to vocalise their displeasure we became more comfortable.
"Shoes off if you love the Robs" sang the choir as several dozen cheesy pairs of trainers were thrust towards the darkening sky and as even as the referee somehow added five minutes of injury time (there had hardly been a stoppage all game and only one caution) we carried on singing. The players were out on their feet but still they threw themselves into challenges to deny the Imps any space or time to play. Special mentions to Kieron Murphy and Craig Tanner who both came into the team covering absentees Ray and Davis whilst new loan signing Reece Jones also impressed but the MotM for me was Justyn Roberts who led the rearguard action superbly.
Finally the referee blew for full time and although we hadn't won, and whatever the result in the replay on Tuesday, both players and supporters had done the name of Carshalton proud.
In my excited state, I clean forgot to look for the club shop; I'm sure there was one but a quick look on their website shows I have a choice of two club pens, so I think I'll order me the one below and award them 9/10, deducting a mark because on the internet you can't check to see if it works :-)
Total score 24 and we have a new leader for the season!
