I wake up with a slight head ache today, I hope the boys didn't go as heavy as I did!
What an emotional rollercoaster yesterday was. Sunderland came at us from the off, as we expected. Unfortunately it was rabbits in the headlights stuff from us, we seem completely overawed by the occasion and venue. Sunderland deservedly went in 2-0 up at the break and we were lucky that it wasn't more. The Wyke miss was huge.
At half time, I thought we had blown it. Sunderland being rallied on by 10,000 locals were playing very well and looked stronger than we did. The one small crumb was that we couldn't play worse second half. Appleton knew he had to do something and the decision to bring McGrandles and Walsh turned the game on its head. The former in particular was magnificent.
Two minutes into the second half and we looked a completely different team to the one that played 1st half. That slick football was starting to return. Part of why we were so much better second half was switching Johnson on to the wing. He is so much dangerous down the flank and they couldn't cope with him. After Poole came agonisingly close, Hopper headed in a well deserved goal for us. It was Sunderland's turn for rabbit in the headlights. Stadium of light not so daunting when it's silent.
We carried on and were awarded a stone wall penalty after superb work from Mcgrandles. I didn't feel good about the penalty, I never do - it's part of being a lincoln fan. It was a decent save, but Grant will be disappointed. I feared that would be the turning point in the match. Stadium of light lifted again. Yet despite that lincoln continued to play the better football and carve out better chances. McGrandles could have put the tie to bed, but alas we had to endure a nerve wracking ending. Heart in mouth when McGready's effort cannoned off the post. From there we were resolute in defence. TJ and Walsh immense. I admit the last 15 were a bit of blur, a difficult watch. As I said to my old man at full time, why do we out ourselves through this!?
The final whistle. Unrivalled joy. Appleton, not famed for his early substitutions, turned the tie around by doing just that. Wembley here we come. No matter what happens next weekend we can be proud of what our team has achieved. The immense character of those young lads to turn the game around in the second half was extraordinary. Blackpool will be hot favorites for next weekend. But, we have a shot, a one game shot at reaching the championship. I would have called you barking mad if you predicted that at the start of the season. So lads, give it your all next week. Leave it all on the pitch.
Come on you Imps!