Its an Imp-vasion at North Ferriby as Lincoln City continue their winning streak

It is just over two weeks to go until I head to the Emirates Stadium in London for the FA Cup 6^th round tie between Arsenal and Lincoln City on the Road to Wembley from Scotland. The two protagonists have had differing weeks since their round 5 victories last weekend. Arsenal did not have a midweek match. Indeed, the Gunners don’t have a fixture this weekend either and this mini break will allow their squad to rest up before a busy end to the season that will see them trying to finish in the top four in the Premier League in addition to attempting to win the FA Cup. The Imps were in action in midweek. Their success in the FA Cup has caused a fixture pile up and they will play four more times before they play Arsenal in a fortnight. On Tuesday they played away at North Ferriby United in a Vanarama National League local derby fixture.

The tiny North Ferriby ground was packed as the FA Cup heros got back to league business. The capacity crowd numbered 2389 and over 2000 of the fans attending were there in support of the Imps. It is nights such as these that sometimes prove pivotal in League Championship campaigns and the big question was could Lincoln City keep the ‘Lincoln Loco’ rolling in much more modest surroundings compared to the Turf Moor stadium in Burnley. The answer was yes … just!

A feature of Lincoln City’s FA Cup campaign has been the innovation and superb execution of their set piece plays. One well worked corner was enough to see off North Ferriby. A well placed corner kick was headed in by the Imps ‘captain courageous’ Luke Waterfall.

As beautiful as Niagra: Waterfall head the Imps winner on Tuesday

The Imps ran out deserved 1-0 winners and tomorrow they visit Boreham Wood in the quarter final of the FA Trophy and who knows they could be visiting Wembley twice in two different competitions. Following the visit to Boreham Wood they then entertain York City in the Vanarama League on Tuesday night in a match which is expected to attract a full house of over 10000 fans to Sincil Bank.

My own week also featured a midweek match. My un-blogged ‘Road to Hampden’ following my beloved Hearts came to sad end when the Jambos lost 3-1 to bitter local rivals Hibs in a Scottish Cup 5^th round replay at Hibs Easter Road ground. Hearts unusually have a 30 year old head coach, Ian Cathro, a man who has never played football at a high level himself. Cathro was appointed when the successful Robbie Neilson left Hearts for Milton Keynes Dons in late November, a move that coincided with my bromance with the MK Dons on the Road to Wembley from Scotland. The fashionable phrase used during young Cathro’s tenure has been that ‘the jury is still out’. On Wednesday night the verdict, in the words of a foul-mouthed Hearts fan two rows behind us, was delivered with some force. With Hearts 2-0 down late in the first half and being comprehensively outplayed by Hibs he bellowed: “Cathro ya cunt. Are you fuckin watching this? Get a fuckin subby oan ya wee knob”. The language may have been more colourful than many of the Hearts supporters would have used but the heckler expressed the collective disdain of the Hearts support. Either my beloved Hearts are heading for troubled times or Ian Cathro will be dismissed soon – or both.

Not got a scooby! Little boy lost Cathro in the Easter Road dugout on Wednesday

Also in midweek I spotted this photo featured on the excellent Non League Magazine twitter feed (@thenonleaguemag). The photo is taken at a non league game somewhere in England I know not where.

It is funny what you find on the web! Non league football is for super-heros

Clearly, as Lincoln City have demonstrated, the non league scene is the environment for super-heros. Will the Imps use their super powers to beat Boreham Wood to reach the semi final of the FA Trophy tomorrow? What will ex-Arsenal Scots pundit Charlie Nicholas say on Soccer Saturday on Sky TV tomorrow? Will I manage to get my ticket for the FA Cup tie at the Emirates sorted. Come back here on Monday for an update and keep reading!