King's Lynn 2 Marine 0
2nd May 1981
Paul Chapman headed the Linnets to a clear cut win over high-riding Marine on Saturday.
His first goals after going eleven games without scoring could not have been better timed.
Chapman struck in the 43rd minute of the first half, darting in when there was in-decision between the Marine defenders and the goalkeeper over responsibility for Jimmy Wilson's centre. His header from the six-yard line bounced wide of the stranded Brian Parkinson.
That goal settled the Linnets and a powerful second half performance brought an inevitable second goal.
Chapman was again in the right spot in the 82nd minute and threw himself forward to meet Ray Elliott's well judged centre and nudge the ball wide of Parkinson.
Marine had started the game needing at least a point to claim the runners-up spot behind Runcorn in the final table, and their initial domination suggested that they would get some reward.
Winger Malcolm Wagstaffe and his supporting forward Paul Meachin were both wasteful of early chances and there was a fine effort from full back Steve Adams which brought an equally good save from Phil Ringwood.
Later in the half Wagstaffe drove a low shot against the post and Meachin had a shot cleared off the line by an alert Ray Elliott. Adams, however, could also claim that he went close with a header which Tym hooked away from the goal.
Gradually the Lynn midfield began to wrest the initiative away from the visitors. The quartet of Elliott, Adams, Watts and Rider showed a willingness to compete while the front two of Chapman and Alexander were trying to find the spaces. It was a refreshing change after some of the disappointing recent home performances. Chapman's goal visibly lifted the Linnets and deflated Marine and the second half found the Linnets in full song even if the finishing was not always accurate. Adams was only inches wide with one shot over Parkinson, Rider hit two shots over the top and Elliott brought out a save from Parkinson. Marine looked nothing like as strong as the league's other top teams such as Runcorn, Mossley, Buxton and Witton, who have all taken points this year at The Walks. Or was it that the Linnets did not let them?
Any thoughts Marine had of saving something in the final ten minutes were ended when Chapman notched his second decisive goal. He was injured in the process and made way for Rudd to play out the closing minutes
Lynn: Ringwood, Wilson, Wright, Saywood, Wiles, Adams, Elliot, Watts, Rider, Chapman (sub Rudd 85), Alexander.
Marine: Parkinson, Tym (sub Bennett 70), Adams, Smith, Johnson,, Edwards, Hughes, Smith, McClatchley, Meachin, Wagstaffe