Histon 1 Lynn 4
1 January 2004
DAVID Staff and Carl Holmes both bagged New Year braces as the Linnets blew the
title race wide open by ending Histon's unbeaten record in emphatic style on
their own soil yesterday (January 1).Staff was at his sensational best as Lynn carved open the meanest defence in the league time after time with a scintillating display at Bridge Road.
Lynn are now second behind leaders Tonbridge, four points ahead of third-place Histon – who have three games in hand.
Lynn made one change from the victorious Boxing Day side, bringing in after his ban Gary Setchell for Jamie March at left-back, as expected.
Histon lined up without prolific scorer Neil Kennedy, who was ruled out with a rib injury.
Referee Stephen Artis declared the pitch playable an hour before kick-off after heavy rain had left the top-of-the-table clash in doubt.
After a bright opening from the Linnets, the home side broke dangerously and some slick interplay between former Linnet Ian Cambridge and Ben Murray saw Adrian Cambridge force Steve Wilson into a fine stop to his left.
A minute later ex-Linnet Colin Vowden headed across the face of the Lynn goal.
The large contingent of travelling fans, who swelled the gate to 961, didn't have to wait much longer before seeing their heroes take the lead after 16 minutes when Dale Watkins combined with Jack Defty to feed Staff – who confidently slid the ball past Paul Barber.
Two minutes later Defty was fouled just outside the box and Staff stepped up to curl home one of his specials with Barber still rooted to his line.
Fifteen minutes before the break Ian Cambridge came within inches of opening Histon's account when his 25-yard free-kick flew past the post.
The feet of Barber denied Lynn a third via Mark Camm in the 32nd minute after some brilliance from Staff out on the left.
Seconds later Staff missed a golden opportunity to complete a first half treble when Holmes sent him sprinting clear of a static home defence, only for Barber to stand up and block his final effort.
The Stutes hauled themselves back into the contest in the 41st minute when, as so often in big games this season, Wilson failed to command his area and Vowden nodded in an Adie Cambridge free-kick at the far post.
On the stroke of half-time Ossie Mintus counted his blessings when he headed a Paul Raynor free-kick just wide of his own net.
The start of the second period failed to live up to the excitement of the first as both sides became embroiled in a tactical battle on a sticky home surface.
But it was The Walks outfit who increased their advantage in the 60th minute when Staff whipped in a pinpoint centre for Holmes to bundle home.
Staff produced some more wizardry, this time on the right midway through the half, but Holmes failed to make the right connection in the box.
The magical Staff was again the provider for Holmes to net his second in the 77th minute.
Lynn's 600-strong following had every right to be delirious and taunted the Histon faithful with chants of: "Can we play you every week?" in the dying minutes.
Linnets: Wilson, Jones, Setchell, Burrows, Fuff, Raynor, J. Defty, Holmes, Staff, Watkins, Camm. Subs not used: Bacon, March, Woodrow, Harris, Nobes.
Histon: Barber, Barrington, Goddard, Holden, Vowden, A. Cambridge, Mintus (Hipperson 45), Andrews (Coburn 64), Murray (Rowe 64), I. Cambridge, Barker. Not used: Haniver, Skelly.
Referee: S. Artis (Norwich). Att: 961.
| MATCH STATISTICS | Shots on Target | Shots off Target | Corners | Caught Offside | Free kicks Conceded |
Bookings |
| Lynn | 8 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 17 | |
| Histon | 3 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 21 |
Vowden (62, elbow) Coburn (83, late tackle) |
| Lynn News Man of the Match -David Staff | ||||||