King's Lynn 3 Thame United 1

1st November 2003

FORWARD Malcolm Ndekwe came off the bench to inspire the Linnets in seeing off the Ryman Leaguers.
The sides were locked 1-1 at half-time, the Oxfordshire outfit levelling within a minute of Jack Defty's opener and frustrating the hosts, but it was one-way traffic after that with Lynn stepping up another gear.
Ndekwe, back to form, scored his first goal in 11 games and Defty completed his brace. It was only the heroics of Thame keeper Milan Barisic which kept the scoreline down.
The Walks outfit had the first chance in the fifth minute, Carl Holmes drawing a smart low save from outside the box.
Holmes, switched to up front by manager Peter Morris with David Staff out wide, did not strike up an understanding with new partner Chris Bacon.
Lynn had a scare when poor defending by Glen Fuff and Jamie March cleared the ball to Mark C. Jones on the edge of the area, and Jon Higgs, again preferred to Steve Wilson, tipped over.
However, a good move from the Linnets resulted in them taking the lead.
The ball was quickly switched to the left, March finding Staff, and his cross caused a mix-up between Barisic and Tony Joyce.
Holmes' header was parried, but Defty hammered home the rebound.
United immediately replied as Mark Burrows, back from flu, almost back-headed an own goal. The resulting corner was nodded home by Justin Merritt.
But Higgs had little to do after that as Holmes had an effort cleared off the line and Fuff headed over.
Defty's shot was tipped around the post as Lynn began the second half with renewed purpose, especially when Ndekwe replaced the ineffective Bacon on the hour.
The Linnets camped in the opposition half with Ndekwe showing plenty of pace and an aerial threat.
The industrious Mark Camm went inches wide with a 20-yarder and Ndekwe was twice denied by good saves.
After much home pressure, Defty rose to head home Paul Raynor's corner with 15 minutes left.
Ndekwe deservedly sealed the tie on 83 minutes, latching onto an excellent Holmes through-ball over the top, and the striker used his strength to score at the third attempt.
Barisic saved his best until last, somehow keeping out a Ndekwe blockbusting header.
Lynn: Higgs, Jones, March, Burrows, Fuff, Defty, Camm, Raynor, Bacon (Ndekwe 60), Staff (Woodrow 85), Holmes. Subs not used: Glarvey, Wilson.
Thame: Barasic, Avery, Joyce (West 67), Salisbury, Williams, Merritt, Gradner, Mitchell, Keen (Stewart 57), MC Jones, Perna, Subs not used: Hocking, MJ Jones, Chownes
Referee:.C Reeve (Godmanchester) Attendance: 669. Lynn News Man of the Match - Malcolm Ndekwe

MATCH STATISTICS	Shots on Target	Shots off Target	Corners	Caught Offside	Free kicks Conceded	Bookings
Lynn	12	5	10	8	14	Raynor 18
Thame	1	3	4	3	12	Joyce 18 MC Jones 44 Avery 48