Tamworth 0 King's Lynn 2
1st February 2004
LEE Wilson put one over his old club as Lynn shrugged off being down to ten men for the last 20 minutes after Dave Robinson was controversially sent off for the second time this season. Former Tamworth striker Wilson, made captain for the day, had the last laugh after the barracking home fans suggested he spent much of his Lambs career on his backside.
But the joke fell flat as he sent Tamworth packing. Wilson said: "It was great to go back and get a result and, from a personal point of view, to score. I expected some stick from their fans so it was good to give something back.
"We're not a bad team and the squad are pulling together.”
For the second goal, Wilson set up David Puttnam, who in another incident was cynically body checked, but inconsistent refereeing meant the home offender was not sent off.
This injustice was not lost on Lynn as Robinson was dismissed for a 50-50 challenge on home forward Warren Haughton. Linnets manager Gary Mills said he will be helped by Lambs boss. Paul Hendrie and Haughton when he appeals to the FA over the sending off.
”I’m fuming,” Mills said. "It was a disgraceful decision and one I'll be contesting as far as I can, Dave didn't deserve to be sent off and he and the club suffers. Their manager and the player involved both said the decision was a joke.
"But I'm delighted with the result. We dominated throughout the 90 minutes and we were rewarded for working hard."
This was Lynn's first Southern League win at fortress Tamworth since 1975 and they completed their first double of the season over their old rivals following the amazing 4-2 win at The Walks. After three wins and two draws from five games this year Linnets are now three points behind, Rothwell, the team who they must catch and have yet to play.
The team celebrated victory by displaying for the benefit of the fans a mass dive. which was a cross between the Dambusters and Jurgen Klinsmann.
Mills said of the celebration, which he decided to do at the final whistle, was a gesture of appreciation to the fans: "It was something a little bit different because the fans are fantastic and I think the players enjoyed it more than them! Wherever we go our fans out-sing the opposition's."
Lynn fan Ray Sherring said: "Unbelievable, it was a monumental victory. We're second from bottom, bring 100 fans, we're down to ten men and still won."
For the first hour both sides found it difficult on a bobbly pitch. In the first half one of the few chances came to. Mills as he spotted home keeper Tony Rowe off his line but his 30 yard shot dipped over the bar. Then Rowe dropped a corner and as Mark Turner scrambled for the ball Mills again shot over. Turner flicked on a centre and Puttnam's fierce half-volley was tipped over.
The Lambs had their best spell of the game just before half-time as Mills and Glen Fuff, who had a commanding match, made timely clearances. Dave Foy crossed and Lynn keeper Chuck Martini got down quickly to save Clive Walker's header.
Rain at the break made the surface greasy and this contributed to Tamworth's best opportunity. Fuff slipped, the ball looped off Robinson's head and Martini reacted well to deny Haughton. Then the home striker, was involved in the talking point of game, going down under Robinson’s challenge which looked more like a slip than a foul. The rock-solid Lynn defender hotly protested when it was clear referee Mr Hubbard was going to brandish the red card.
Lynn were unlucky when Mills’ great ball over the top found Puttnam whose first touch unfortunately took the ball near the keeper. Mills made amends, bringing the ball out of defence, powering 50 yards upfield and curling a great pass out to Wilson on the left. The forward, making his first start after returning from injury, cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable strike at the near post.
Five minutes later Puttnam raced clear and was deliberately blocked by Jon Howard, but this only merited a booking. Justice was done when Lynn sealed it with a minute left. Wilson dispossessed a defender down the middle and fed Puttnam, who this time slotted the ball past Rowe.
Lynn: Martini, Hoyle, Spearing, Robinson, Fuff, Mills, Turner, Ramsey, Allen (Cotterell 84), Wilson, Puttnam. Subs (not used): Palmer, Clark
Tamworth: Rowe, Warner, Shaw, Hatton (Yates 80), Batchelor, Howard, Foy, Walker (Briggs 80), Dixon, G Smith, Haughton. Sub (not used): R Smith.
| MATCH STATISTICS | Shots on Target | Shots off Target | Corners | Caught Offside | Free kicks Conceded |
Bookings/S-Off |
| Lynn | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 8 | Allen (56, dissent) Ramsey (5, dissent) Robinson (69, professional foul)  |
| Tamworth | 6 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 8 | Howard (83, professional foul) |