It was raining goals at The 12th Imp Sincil Bank Stadium on Thursday evening as some familiar faces rolled back the years in the annual Sponsors' Match.
Grant Brown named a strong team for the eagerly-anticipated clash against Chris Moyses' sponsors squad and with the former's starting line-up boasting a wealth of Football League experience, it wasn't long before the deadlock was broken.
The LCFC team got their noses in front early on courtesy of a Simon Yeo brace and with Paul Miller, Dean West, Gavin Gordon and Jamie Forrester (2) also getting in on the act, sponsors' stopper David Featherstone left the field clutching his back in the 25th minute for a well-earned breather.
Featherstone's replacement Matthew Smith's first touch was to pick the ball out of the net following a cool finish from Brown, Gordon then added another before Media Manager John Vickers got in on the act with a neat header and a precision finish for numbers 10 and 11.
The opening half ended with Forrester completing his hat-trick with a superb long-range effort but the second period proved to be a more even affair as Featherstone and under-16 Academy 'keeper Richard Walton switched sides.
The lead was increased on the hour mark with LCFCSET's Disability Project Manager Damon Parkinson producing a bullet finish before Academy coach Craig Gordon made it 14-0 four minutes later.
Craig added another with 10 minutes on the clock before his namesake Gavin tapped in for his hat-trick but with the Sponsors' squad adopting an attack-minded 2-4-15 formation it was only a matter of time before they reduced the arrears.
Matthew Smith, representing Lincoln City Banter, was the one to get his name in lights and he made amends for an earlier yellow card with the celebration of the night after he rifled home at the Stacey West end for the sponsors' consolation effort.
"I would like to thank the sponsors, former LCFC players, Club officials and everyone who took part and attended last night's game," said Commercial Manager Russell Moore.
"Whilst the ex-pros gave the sponsors a lesson in football, the winner was the Football Club with plenty of our sponsors enjoying the event."
LCFC 'Select': Richard Walton, Dean West, Paul Mayo, Keith Oakes, Grant Brown, Terry Fleming, Paul Miller, Gary Simpson, Jamie Forrester, Gavin Gordon, Simon Yeo. Subs (all used): John Vickers, Damian Froggatt, Damon Parkinson, Craig Gordon, Richard Belcher, Kevin Oxby.
Goals: Yeo (9, 12), Miller (14), West (16), G Gordon (19, 28, 82), Forrester (21, 24, 44), Brown (27), Vickers (36, 41), Parkinson (60), C Gordon (64, 82).
LCFC Sponsors (all used): David Featherstone (Cathedral Business Services), James Clarke (Bridge McFarland Solicitors), Leigh Curtis (The Lincolnshire Echo), Wayne Dennett (Lincolnshire Co-operative), Paul Dimbleby (Bridge McFarland Solicitors, Jim Dixon (Batemans), Richard Duxbury (The Lincolnshire Echo), Chris Glover (Lincolnshire Co-operative), Michael Jacklin (Cathedral Business Services), Angus Kirk (Kirks Vets), Rob Makepeace (BBC Radio Lincolnshire), Paul Meikle (Paul Meikle Ceilings), David Parman (Timber Stair Manufacturers), Richard Parnell (Bridge McFarland Solicitors), Andy Pearson (The 12th Imp), Piers Pearson (The 12th Imp), Gary Peden (Drain Wise), Jake Peden (Drain Wise), Graham Raisen (Premier Graphics), Matthew Smith (Lincoln City Banter), Dean Watson (Drain Wise), Chris Whitehead (Crystal Motor Group), Richard Whittaker (Lincolnshire Co-operative).
Goal: Smith (90+1)
Match Officials: Will Murray, Jordan Brown & Frank Best.
