King's Lynn 1 Grantham 0
1st October 1980
LADY LUCK deserted a positive Linnets side at The Walks on Wednesday but they were still too strong for Northern Premier rivals Grantham.
The match which must now be regarded as a long distance local derby was settled by a superb 67th minute goal from early season signing John Moyes - his first for the club. Until he culled a shot into the net from the left side of the field, it was beginning to look like Lynn would never score.
For long periods they laid Grantham under siege in their own half, but could not convert possession and superiority into goals. With the visitors relying on some flowing quick breaks, the Linnets needed to press home their advantage to secure the points.
But the goals just wouldn't come. Lynn didn't get the run of the ball to the Grantham box, several chances went wide, one hit the woodwork and two justifiable penalty appeals were turned down by Barnsley referee Mr D Wilson.
After the game Linnets manager Keith Rudd agreed that fortune had played little part in his side's victory. "We haven't been getting the breaks for three games now. There were two definite penalties and we just didn't have any luck at all in the box." he said.
"But I thought our general play was very good and I was pleased with most of what I saw. However, we started making things difficult for ourselves out of sheer frustration. We had a lot of possession, but couldn't convert it to goals. When it's 0-0 in the second half there is always the chance they are going to nick one and steal a result.
"Our build-up was good, but in front of goal we appeared apprehensive. If we played at 100 mph outside the box, we went up to 250 mph inside, instead of steadying things down. We are playing some good football at the moment and I hope we can make further improvements. We have got a pattern to our game," said Rudd.
And it was Rudd who supplied a right wing cross to Chapman for the Linnets first chance of the game, but he was unable to get any direction with his header. Ten minutes into the game Lynn 'keeper Ringwood was called into action, saving at the feet of Grantham's Jenas.
His clearance to Rudd was taken upfield and then pushed inside to Wright who let fly with a fierce 30 yd drive that left the visiting goalie stranded and hit the crossbar, but went behind for a goal kick.
A minute later Chapman who looked lively up front was clearly pulled off the ball in the Grantham penalty area, but the ref ignored all appeals for a penalty. With Mick Wright and Martin Wiles in commanding form in the air and the tackle, the Linnets were constantly pushing forward. A shooting chance fell to Adams after 20 minute but the Lynn striker - looking out of sorts with the game, blasted high and wide. He was replaced by substitute John Bailey shortly before half time.
Grantham's Sammy Chapman was booked before the break for a crude challenge on Moyes.
There was a lively start to the second half with Rider, Wilson, Wiles and Moyes pushing up well to support their midfield colleagues. And it was Moyes who got the all important goal just. over 20 minutes into the half. Pinkowski who never stopped running but looked unhappy playing down the left side, collected the ball near the corner flag. He managed to thread his way past one defender and slipped a pass to Watts, who helped it along to Moyes. He hit a crisp shot that curled in from the left and dropped sharply into the far corner of the net, giving the keeper virtually no chance.
With the deadlock broken the pace became more frantic. Watts and Chapman both had penalty appeals ignored and Grantham were forced to attack. There were a few desperate moments in the Lynn defence towards the end of the game and the players and crowd were glad to hear the final whistle. But, had Grantham scored, it would have been a travesty of justice.
Lynn: Ringwood, Rider, Wilson, Watts, M. Wiles, Moyes, Adams (sub Bailey 43 mins), Pinkowski, Chapman, Rudd: Wright.
Grantham: Gardiner, Hodson, Chapman, Jackson, Barker, Taylor, Leadbeater. Collins,
Jenas (sub Shore 77 mins), Swinscoe, Grant.
Attendance: 366.