Mendes Watch 2

Last updated : 26 March 2007 By Gary Moss

Junior Mendes was handed his second start today for Lincoln since arriving at Sincil Bank on loan from Notts County.


After a confident display last week against Barnet, Mendes was given the nod ahead of Imps top scorer Jamie Forrester.


The 30-year-old is not renowned for his goal scoring ability but Lincoln boss John Schofield still insisted in partnering him with Mark Stallard up top for their must win clash with fellow promotion hopefuls Swindon Town.


Notts man Junior was eventually substituted for striker Jamie Forrester just before the hour mark, but that didn't mean his contribution was limited.


In usual fashion, Mendes offered pace and power on the ball and was a constant threat to the travelling Robins.


The front man was unlucky not to find the score sheet missing two good first half chances that could have in truth put the game beyond their opponents.


After just eight minutes, left-back Paul Green whipped in a telling ball, which midfielder Lee Frecklington nodded down into the path of Mendes who could only pull wide from all of six yards.

Mendes...Set-up Stallard's opener


But, this didn't get the pacey forward down. Five minutes later an intricate flick from winger Ryan Amoo found Mendes who laid a perfectly weighted square ball across the penalty area for Mark Stallard who slotted in, to put Lincoln one up.


With the Imps quickly pulled back to 1-1, it wasn't long before Mendes carved out another chance for the ever dangerous Stallard. With his back to goal, Mendes managed to hook the ball over his head to an out-stretched Stallard who get the faintest touch to push the ball wide of the mark.


On the half hour, Mendes was back for more, chasing down what seemed to be a lost cause; Swindon defender lost possession but the perhaps fortunate forward knocked the ball back to Stallard who was unlucky not to pull off an audacious lob over Town's keeper Phil Smith.


Swindon then took the lead before the break and it left Mendes undoubtedly rueing his missed chance early on.


Mendes was less effective after the break and spent most of his time dropping wide and trying to ping balls to big man Stallard, but it was with no end product.


Forrester...replaced Junior at 3-1
In an attempt to rescue the then 3-1 trailing Imps, Mendes was replaced by Forrester with Schofield refusing to revert from their preferred 4-4-2 formation.


Being substituted is something players like Mendes are never happy with, but it was a decision he could understand.


"Jamie was on the bench and he should play because he's done the business all season, but obviously I want to play and do my best for Lincoln".


First team opportunities could be limited for Junior at Sincil Bank now but this is a role within the squad he accepts and will have to face from now until his return to Meadow Lane.


"I expect to play a cameo role now, but I will always give 100% for Lincoln".


Upon reflection, the Lincoln personnel believe they had enough to get more from the game and it was a view Mendes echoed in his post match interview: "I think we had enough about us to either win the game or at least get a draw".


Mendes: Another good display in Lincoln colours, 7/10