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Lincoln all abuzz as non-leaguers get set to slay battered Arsenal

When Koh Youling looks out of her window of her lodgings in the English cathedral city of Lincoln, the 21-year-old Singaporean student appreciates the peaceful and tidy streets while diligently tackling her degree coursework and preparing for exams.

Lincoln’s Alan Power, Terry Hawkridge and Jonathan Jack Muldoon celebrating their win over Premier League side Burnley, which made them the first non-league side in 103 years to reach the last eight. Photo: Reuters

Lincoln’s Alan Power, Terry Hawkridge and Jonathan Jack Muldoon celebrating their win over Premier League side Burnley, which made them the first non-league side in 103 years to reach the last eight. Photo: Reuters

LINCOLN - When Koh Youling looks out of her window of her lodgings in the English cathedral city of Lincoln, the 21-year-old Singaporean student appreciates the peaceful and tidy streets while diligently tackling her degree coursework and preparing for exams.

The former Yuying Secondary School student feels welcome in this city of 130,000 people set in the rolling countryside that was once strengthened as a Roman fortress under Emperor Nero. It is also where late England manager Graham Taylor ended his playing career before beginning his ascent towards the biggest job in English football.

Yet few will complain if the cherished peace is shattered today should the city’s non-league football club somehow overcomes English Premier League bluebloods Arsenal in their FA Cup quarter-final clash.

Even though the Nanyang Polytechnic molecular biotechnology graduate is not a big football fan, Koh is still rooting for her adopted home in the knockout showdown at the 
Emirates.

“I love it here and the United Kingdom is very suitable for me — students have their own voice and are listened to,” said Koh, one of about 10 Singaporeans studying at the University of Lincoln, and is in the second year of a degree in forensic science.

“This game is very exciting for the city and the locals, and I don’t see why our club cannot pull off a shock result.”

Even if they don’t, the Imps, as fifth-tier Lincoln are nicknamed, have already carved their name in FA Cup folklore by becoming the first non-league club in 103 years to reach the last eight following their victory over Premier League side Burnley in the fifth round. This came after wins over other teams above them such as Championship sides Brighton and Ipswich and League One club Oldham.

Naysayers may point to the dilution of the competition, with many top clubs fielding second-string sides, but no one here is arguing against the extra £2 million (S$3.4 million) in the club’s coffers for getting this far. City will gain an extra £360,000 in prize money if they beat Arsenal.

Though not as internationally well known as other British cities, Lincoln is no stranger to the national spotlight at home. The medieval castle at the top of the hill holds an original version of the Magna Carta, which was sealed by King John in 1215.

The surrounding county of Lincolnshire is mainly flat, agricultural land that has also been put to good use through several Royal Air Force bases.

One previous airfield was home to the 617 “Dambuster” Squadron during World War II that launched a raid on the Ruhr industrial region in 
Germany in 1943.

The raid is lauded here as one of Britain’s finest moments of the conflict and Lincoln City fans sing the theme tune to the 1955 Dambusters movie at every match, as well as stretching their arms out horizontally to mimic the bombers used in the attack.

Imps supporters also have an air- raid siren at their Sincil Bank ground that they crank up every time City win a corner. It is unlikely they will be able to take it to the Emirates, but the Dambusters’ theme is sure to make an appearance at some stage.

With 9,000 Imps fans making the journey to London, and a dedicated train laid on to take some of them there, their voices will certainly 
be heard.

In a sporting sense, Lincoln City need to launch their own audacious raid against Arsenal today, and also hope that luck plays a part in what would be a huge upset, no matter which players Arsene Wenger fields.

Manager Danny Cowley (above, left) and his assistant, brother Nicky (right), have steered the club to the top of the National League, the top tier of non-league, and the fifth level of the English football pyramid.

While the Gunners were being hammered again by Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday night, the Imps were thrashing Braintree 4-0 to cement their position at the top of their own table.

They have also secured a spot in the FA Trophy semi-finals, a cup competition for non-league clubs that hosts its final at Wembley on Sunday, May 21.

Yet it is a potential semi-final at England’s national stadium in the last four of the FA Cup that Cowley is now solely focused upon.

“After beating Braintree, we can now finally look forward to Arsenal,” he said. “We will watch a video of the Bayern games and we are determined to give a good account of ourselves.

“We have earnt the right to this game and it’s a really good time for the club. You never know what might happen.”

The feeling on the city streets is also one of guarded optimism.

Long-time Imps fan Michael Brooks is just pleased that Lincoln finally seem to be on the rise, six years after being relegated out of the 
Football League.

“There have been a lot of tough times but this is the sort of game that will be talked about for years around here,” said the 53-year-old, who has supported Lincoln for more than 40 years.

“It has brought a real buzz to the city and will get a new generation of young fans on board.

“We’ve got to this game on merit because no one thought we’d beat Brighton and then Burnley so we might just shock a few people again.

“Arsene Wenger, we’re coming 
for you.”

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Julian Turner, TODAY’s guest columnist, was the deputy sports editor at the Bangkok Post and the Lincolnshire Echo, He also covered Lincoln City extensively as a sports reporter with the paper.

 

ADRIAN CLARKE’S BIG MATCH PREDICTIONS:

 

Middlesbrough v Manchester City (Tonight, Singtel Ch109; 8.05pm)

Falling out with your own fans is a really, really bad idea (as is failing to score in four successive outings against top-flight opposition) so it feels like Aitor Karanka’s days at Middlesbrough are numbered. Will he go out with a bang, by masterminding an upset? Don’t bank on it but his defensive side could run City close, especially if minds wander towards next week’s Champions League clash with Monaco. My hunch is that Pep’s men will grind out a late win.

Score call: 0-1

 

Arsenal v Lincoln City (Sunday, Ch109, 1.20am)

Those dark clouds hovering over Emirates Stadium will get significantly darker if the Imps pull off the unthinkable tonight. The minnows will be hoping the under-pressure Gunners will be consumed by nerves, and although that’s not a scenario I’d write off completely, I suspect the 10-2 loss to Bayern Munich will indirectly damage Lincoln’s chances. There’s no excuse for Arsenal not to be psyched up about ripping through this non-league opposition.

Score call: 3-0

 

Tottenham Hotspur v Millwall (Sunday, Ch109; 10pm)

Harry Kane was a former Millwall loanee so this contest has been dubbed the ‘Harry Kane Derby’. As such, it would only seem fit and proper that the on-fire striker marks the occasion with at least one goal in the last FA Cup tie to be staged at White Hart Lane. Millwall know how to be solid - they’ve let it two goals in their last 13 games - but it’s hard to envisage a shock.

Score call: 2-0

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