Lincoln City Vs Reading

Matchday 89 marked our final football adventure of 2024, and we were determined to make it as enjoyable and memorable as possible. With an early 12:30 kick-off at Lincoln City, we set off at 08:00 to ensure we had ample time to settle in before the game. Traffic was surprisingly manageable despite it being the last Saturday before Christmas, and thanks to Grandad Steve taking the wheel, our journey took around 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Before heading to the stadium, we’d done our research and discovered a Wetherspoons pub called The Square Sail, located just a nine-minute drive away. This visit marked my 57th Wetherspoons ticked off the list. After parking in a nearby multi-storey car park for a reasonable £4 for two hours, we made our way into the pub. We managed to find a cosy spot towards the back of the restaurant. Liam, never one to turn down food, opted for scrambled eggs on toast, while Grandad Steve and I settled in with a couple of pints of ale. The atmosphere in the pub was lively, with a mix of Lincoln and Reading fans chatting over their breakfasts and pre-match drinks.

With breakfast and drinks finished, we set off to locate our pre-booked parking at Entrance South Common Parking. However, this proved far more challenging than expected. There were no clear signs, and even Google Maps wasn’t much help. After some trial and error and directions from a helpful local resident, we finally arrived. Despite being an official club parking area, it was essentially a muddy field with few walking paths and plenty of puddles, making our journey to the stadium a slippery one. I couldn’t help but feel that a little more organisation here would have gone a long way in improving the matchday experience.

The rain was persistent, so we wasted no time walking the five minutes to the ground. Our first stop was the club shop, where we picked up our traditional matchday scarf. Unfortunately, there were no matchday programmes available, which was a little disappointing. With some time to spare, we took a brief walk around the stadium before heading inside. The LNER Stadium, while not the largest, had a charming character with its old-school feel. One particularly short stand on the opposite side gave it a unique and somewhat quirky look, adding to the ground’s personality.

Our seats were positioned slightly to one side behind the goal, providing a decent view of the pitch. As kick-off approached, the atmosphere began to build, and the crowd was buzzing with anticipation. Home fans were in good spirits, and despite the wet conditions, the energy in the stands was infectious.

Lincoln got off to a flying start, scoring an early goal in the 8th minute, which immediately energised the home crowd. Things went from bad to worse for Reading when Holzman was sent off in the 37th minute, reducing them to ten men. From that point, it felt like an uphill battle for the visitors, and Lincoln capitalised on their advantage with a second goal in the 72nd minute. The final whistle confirmed a 2-0 victory for Lincoln, ending their seven-game winless streak. The home fans celebrated with cheers and applause, while the Reading supporters quietly filed out of the away end.

During the game, Liam and I chatted about how far we’d come in our journey to complete the 92. It was a bittersweet moment, knowing this was our final game of the year, but also a moment to reflect on the memories we’d made over the past twelve months.

To avoid any potential delays getting out of the car park, we decided to leave on the 90th minute. Thankfully, the exit was seamless, and once we were out of the area, the journey home took approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. Considering it was a busy Saturday on the roads, we couldn’t complain. We chatted about the match, our favourite moments of 2024, and our excitement for the next leg of the journey.

And just like that, our 2024 football adventures came to an end. Now it’s time for a well-deserved break as we prepare to celebrate Christmas and head to Aberdeen for Hogmanay. We’ll be back on January 4th, ready to continue our journey to complete the 92.

From both Liam and me, we’d like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Here’s to an exciting and prosperous 2025 filled with more football, more adventures, and more unforgettable memories!

5 Facts About Lincoln City FC:

1. Lincoln City FC, nicknamed The Imps, was founded in 1884 and has played at Sincil Bank (now the LNER Stadium) since 1895.
2. They are famous for their 2016-17 FA Cup run, where they became the first non-league team in over 100 years to reach the quarter-finals.
3. Lincoln City won the EFL Trophy in 2018, defeating Shrewsbury Town 1-0 at Wembley.
4. The club’s mascot, Poacher the Imp, represents the mythical creature linked to local folklore.
5. The Imps’ local rivalry with Grimsby Town is one of the most fiercely contested fixtures in lower-league football.