King's Lynn 2 Rothwell Town 0

1st January 1998

TAKE a glance at the league table and you would be forgiven for thinking the Linnets have a mountain to climb to stand any chance of promotion.
But, carefully, look again and things are much closer. than you think.
Lynn have three games in hand on virtually all the teams above them and victory in those would put Peter Morris' men in second place.
Merthyr are obviously the team to catch and Lynn - 11 points behind have played only one fewer than their Welsh rivals but the pair clash at The Walks in March and that elusive top spot is definitely within reach.
The win over Rothwell on New Year’s Day produced some plus from a team missing key players.
Still out suspended were keeper James Hollman and wing back Richard Skelly while defender Tony Spearing and front man Brett McNamara were nursing injuries.
And things got worse when centre back Kevin Ellis, who had picked up a knock in the previous match against Atherstone, had top be taken off because of his ankle injury.
On came Julian Delicata as Morris switched to an attacking 4-3-3.
Lynn created a number of chances but didn't have the game won until Steve Williams prodded home in the last ten minutes.
They took the lead on six minutes, Martin Matthews' corner being flicked on by Williams and skipper Colin Hoyle sneaked in unmarked at the far post to head home.
Williams, the two-goal destroyer of Rothwell in the 2-1 Boxing Day victory, had a fine match, constantly linking play that drove his side forward. Another plus point was the form of midfielder Simon Mead, who had his best game in a Lynn shirt.
Williams then held off defenders and slipped in Delicata but the substitute’s effort bobbled past the post - one of several disappointing efforts from the 18-year-old. Craig Hopkins produced some neat footwork and played in Hudson, who turned and shot in one motion but saw the ball go wide.
Rothwell, who played some pretty football without seriously threatening, missed their. best chance when Andy Kirkup latched on to a David Hurcock pass and poked his shot wide, credit going to Lynn keeper Steve Lewis, who was quick off his line to deny a clear run at goal.
Lynn finished the first half strongly. A superb piece of play from Williams on the touchline ended with a neat pass to Hudson, his long ball found Mead whose drive went just wide.
Another chance went begging at the start of the second period. Again, it was Williams who set up the chance, flicking on for Hudson. He outpaced the defence and tried to round the keeper but Danny Liquorish stretched to block Hudson.
Mead’s' long ball was shot tamely wide by Delicata before Williams put the sub through and his cross-shot was narrowly missed by the sliding Hudson. Delicata then went down in the box but the referee wasn't interested in a penalty.
William’s should have scored from Hudson’s cross but his close range effort was blocked while Lewis raced off his line to deny Kirkup.
Delicata headed Mead's fine cross wide before Lynn were given a scare when Rothwell had the ball in the net.
Ben Lord sent in a cross that was misjudged by Lewis and Kirkup gleefully smashed home only to be denied by a linesman’s flag because the original centre had crossed the byline.
In the 81st minute, Mead powered in a drive that was tipped wide by Liquorish and from the resulting corner, Williams sealed the points from close range.
Lynn: Lewis, Cotterell, Hopkins, Stock (Roberts 60), Hoyle, Ellis (Delicata 25),Pascoe, Matthews, Williams, Mead, Hudson. Subs (not used) Wright.
Rothwell: Liquorish, McGuire, Hurcock, Keast, Torrance, Bullimore, Kirkup (Povey 80), Orton, Simpson (Coe 69), Foley (Tallantine 53), Lord

MATCH STATISTICS	Shots on Target	Shots off Target	Corners	Caught Offside	Free kicks Conceded	Bookings
Lynn	7	12	5	3	12
Rothwell	2	6	4	6	6	Orton (80, foul) Coe (87, dissent)