I HAD just split up with the Mrs and things weren't going great for me. Depressing start, I know! It does, I promise and hope, get better! The reason I mention that is I needed something to cheer me up. Chocolate and bunnies would not do!
Lincoln City were fighting it out at the top of the National League with Tranmere Rovers. They had also experienced a historic FA Cup run before Arsenal knocked them out at the quarter-final stage.
The 2017 Easter weekend would be one that, should it be written into a book, would be told for many a year to come.
City had beaten Chester a few days before welcoming relegation-threatened Torquay to Sincil Bank and opened a three-point gap from chasing Tranmere Rovers. After a few pre-match pints to steady the nerves, all was well as we took our seats. Well, as well as sitting directly behind the ex-Mrs' dad could be. This weekend of resurrection had not started well at all.
There was, though, a glimmer of relief as Aldershot took the lead at Prenton Park. As it stood, the Imps were extending their lead at the top.
That relief was shortlived as the men from the Wirral scored twice in relatively quick succession. Now we were losing ground and being dragged back by Rovers.
We were briefly freed thanks to an Aldershot equaliser but Torquay's Ruairi Keating bundled in at the back post with 12 minutes to go. We sat one Tranmere goal from being level at the top of the table.
By this time, in the stands, one of my mates was involved in what seemed like a thousand tiny conversations with the ex's dad regarding how long was left and what was happening on Merseyside.
This story is from the September - October 2023 edition of Late Tackle Football Magazine.
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This story is from the September - October 2023 edition of Late Tackle Football Magazine.
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