King's Lynn 2 Kidderminster Harriers 1

1st March 1980

AT LAST the Linnets are beginning to see some positive reward for a string of good results they have achieved since Christmas. Saturday's win over the. Midlanders extended the run to an impressive 16 points out of a possible 18 and pushed the side to their highest position it the table this season. March will be a difficult month for the Linnets with mid-week trips to Witney, Cheltenham and Kidderminster as well as Saturday visits to Taunton and Bedworth. Also in the month there are three home fixtures to Witney, Barry and Alvechurch. So although the present form is more than useful, the Linnets cannot expect an easy ride ahead. As Kidderminster found, the Linnets defence does not give much away and the one goal conceded only came when there was disorganisation following two injuries.
But Kidderminster were as adept as Lynn at getting men behind the ball when attacks broke down and for nearly an hour there was stalemate.
The uneven and, well. sanded pitch made it difficult for any forward to turn and run with the ball, hence the reason why so many Lynn attacks were directed towards the firmer areas of the corners of the ground.
Wiles and Chapman were soon feeling the strength of Clements and Atkins in the centre of the Harriers defence, these two having blotted out Second Division Swansea for long periods in a mid-week cup fixture.
It was 24 minutes before the first direct shot went in Rudd's low effort being saved near the post by Parry.
Wiles shot over and then a sliced clearance from Hogg skidded towards the corner of the goal before his keeper made a smart save.
Ringwood had to be alert on occasions when Kidderminster broke forward down the wings and in the opening stages of the second half the visitors looked more threatening. Foxwell had the best opening with a header which he put wide.
Back came Lynn through a Rudd-Chapman move down the left side and when Chapman took on the defence he was clumsily tackled by Clements which secured a penalty. McManus took the shot and with perfect accuracy sent the ball into one corner while Parry dived the other way.
That was in the 59th minute and Kidderminster's hopes took another dive in the next minute.
McManus was again involved, floating in a free-kick which met by Adams who directed a header downwards for Wright to meet and guide into the net.
Although McManus turned a shut over the top after a good run from Rudd, Lynn went through a difficult phase when Chapman limped off to be replaced by Martyn Wiles and Adams had a spell on the left wing after an injury.
Kidderminster got back into the game in the 82nd minute after a misunderstanding in the Lynn defence.
Ringwood called as a centre went in and Wright let the ball go through, but the keeper could not get to it and Foxwell was left with a free header into an empty net.
Now it all became a bit anxious for Lynn who a few minutes before had been coasting in. Just how close they were to dropping a point was shown when Kidderminster turned in one free kick which only narrowly missed several onrushing forwards.
A good results nevertheless and the Linnets edge closer to that pack of teams in the top half of the table.
Lynn: Ringwood. Rider. Adams, Johnston, Wilson. Rudd. Watts, Wright, McManus, Chapman (sub M. Wiles 60) D Wiles,
Kidderminster. Parry, Hogg (sub Vaughan 75 mins), Dyer, Clements, Atkins. Chambers. Bennett, Griffith, Mullen. Foxwell. Kerhy,
Referee M. Bullivant (Cambridge)
Attendance: 307