Atherstone United 0 King's Lynn 2
4th March 2002
MATTY Clements was at the double with two strikes in five minutes to propel the Linnets into the League Cup semi-final for the third year running.It was a much-needed boost, as in the past week Lynn had suffered two defeats and boss Tony Spearing was dismissed.
The formation from Saturday was changed from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2.
Player-coach Tommy Wright played on the left and Clements on the right, with Zeke Rowe continuing in midfield alongside Adie Hayes. When Paul Watts went off with a groin injury, Clements played down the middle.
Following a quiet first half, his first goal was on the hour when Western Division Atherstone lost the ball in front of the posts, and Clements stole in and slotted home.
Shortly after he slid in to convert a lovely ball from the right by Wayne Anderson. "It was a Glenn Hoddle special, very unlike Wayne," quipped acting manager Kevin Boon,
"We were firing on all cylinders down the wings. The lads raised their game.
"In view of everything, it was a good team performance and the fans were brilliant. I think we had 70 per cent of the crowd.
"We've contacted the league about their filthy changing-rooms: we changed and did the team-talk on the bus."
In the first period Adders keeper Dale Belford fumbled Lee Hudson's effort, and Watts' follow-up was blocked.
At the other end, Steve Wilson saved at the feet of Chris Busby.
"Paul's having round-the-clock treatment. With the programme we've got coming up, I don't know if we'll risk him on Saturday" added Boon on Watts.
Lynn: Wilson, Dakin, March, NcNeil, (Welsh 83), Fuff, Rowe, Clements, Hayes, Watts (White 56), Hudson, Wright (Anderson 63).
Atherstone: Belford, Blair, Marlowe, Middleton, Barry, Rutherford, Martin, Busby, Charley, Dowsing, Doughty. Subs: Rowe, Andrews, Kimberley.
Booked, Linnets: Rowe. Adders: Middleton, Barry, Dowsing. Att: 144.