Alvechurch 2 King's Lynn 2
5th May 1979
The name of Alvechurch still brings unhappy memories to the Linnets.It all goes back to December 1973. when the teams met in an FA Cup 2nd round tie.
Badly timed travelling arrangements saw the team arriving within minutes of the kick-off and the subsequent 6-1 defeat has not been lived down.
But the Linnets under Keith Rudd's guidance this season have achieved more than Frank Wignall's side did. In two Southern League meetings Lynn have taken three points from the Midlanders which have knocked their hopes of taking the championship at the first attempt.
On Saturday Rudd's team arrived in good time at Alvechurch and their preparations paid off in a sparkling first half display which saw them take the lead with two well worked goals.
Rudd and Mick Wright were the only members of that side of 73 making the return on Saturday although still on the books are Mal Lindsay and Clive Adams who were also in the original party.
Alvechurch, strong in mid-field, made a few tentative raids on the Linnets goal without unduly troubling Phil Ringwood although he pulled off one good save.
Then came a surge from the Linnets. A good build up involving five players ended with a rocket shot by Chris Watts from 20 yards which left the home keeper standing.
Within minutes there could have been a second goal when a cross by Duncan Wiles looked measured for Rudd, but he became unsighted and could only force the ball into the side netting.
However Wiles unhinged the Alvechurch defence and darted through with two players snapping at his heels.
and calmly put away a good shot.
Rudd said later "To goals up at half time should have been good enough but Alvechurch came back strongly and we did not play so well especially to the final 15 minutes.
"Alvechurch are among the best sides we have met this season and you cannot afford to give them chances".
First goal came from a free-kick move and although Lynn had their man-to-man marking system worked out, an Alvchurch player got free after fouling Gary Rider and running in for a free header.
There was another easy header close in for the equaliser.
Rudd was missing for the closing period having limped off with a pulled hamstring and taking over was substitute Roy McManus who himself was limping having received a knock during the mid-week fixture with Tamworth.
Lynn Ringwood. Britton. Johnston Saywood. A Rider, Wright. Goose, Watts, G Rider, Rudd, Wiles. Sub McManus