King's Lynn 1 Banbury United 0
4th September 2004
A RARE goal from midfielder Mark Camm eased the heat on the Linnets at a sun-drenched Walks on Saturday.Camm popped up with a crisp half-volley on the edge of the box shortly after the break to hand Lynn a crucial three points in their quest for promotion.
Saturday's performance was far from fluent, but joint boss Darren Bloodworth said: "The result, not the performance, was the be all and end all today.
I thought we were very nervous today. We probably played better in defeat at Rugby but our effort and commitment was spot on.
"We were not at our most fluent and everything seemed to stop again for a period when we went in front, but we dug in and the two young lads at the back were outstanding."
The young players in question were Nicky Blake and Brady Stone, who both excelled in the sweltering conditions.
Blake gave the Linnets width and a new lease of life on the left, while Stone gave an assured display in the heart of the defence by trying to play football from the back.
Lynn's midfield duo of Craig Fishlock and Camm were also at their best as Lynn held on to what could prove to be a valuable three points at the end of the campaign.
Fellow joint boss Kevin Boon said: "Responsibility was the big word we drummed into the players beforehand, both for themselves and their team-mates.
"I think we got that and the two in central midfield gave us a lot of energy"
Mark Angel and Lee Stevenson both missed early chances for Lynn before the impressive Stone was on hand to clear Jason Allen's effort off the line.
Jody McKay brought the best out of goalkeeper Steve Wilson in the 20th minute and nine minutes later the unusually off-colour Danny Bloomfield lofted over after a fine pass from Stevenson.
The last chance of a cagey first period saw the Banbury defence stand off the energetic Blake, whose powerful run and shot whistled past the post.
Lynn took the lead four minutes after the restart when Bloomfield's cross was fed into the path of Camm by Tony Battersby for the former Lincoln City star to thump home.
Banbury responded with Paul Eldridge having an effort ruled out for offside, while Wilson was forced into another smart save in the 76th minute to deny Puritans substitute Chris Potter.
Two good crosses, one from Angel and another from Blake, resulted in no end product before strong penalty appeals from Lynn were turned down in the 77th minute after Allen appeared to pull the shirt of Harris.
Andy Wallbridge headed wide for Banbury, while at the other end Angel's cross eluded the outstretched foot of Harris in a tense final few minutes.
Lynn: Wilson, Jones, Blake, Burrows, Stone, Fishlock, Stevenson (Heath-Preston 72), Camm Battersby (Bacon 80), Bloomfield (Harris 57), Angel. Subs not used: Sutch and Osborne.
Banbury: S. Tricker, A. Fuller, W. Blossom, K. Sullivan, J. Allen,-P. EIdridge (M. Brandish 87), O. Stanbridge, A. Wallbridge, H. Forinton, G. Redknap, J. McKay (C. Pottery 72). Not used: M. Essex, L. O'Neill.
Attendance: 859.
Referee: G. Hambling (Norwich).
| FACTfile | Shots on Target | Shots off Target | Corners | Caught Offside | Free kicks Conceded |
| Lynn | 2 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 14 |
| Banbury | 3 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 12 |
| Lynn News Man of the Match - Nicky Blake | |||||