King's Lynn 2 Merthyr Tydfil 0
13th April 1974
TWO mistakes by Merthyr goalkeeper Pat Murphy presented the Southern League points can a
plate to the Linnets on Saturday.But despite the manner in which the goals came, it was a well-merited win by the Linnets who dominated proceedings for long periods.
With this long string of good results - now15 points out of a possible 16 - the Linnets are playing with supreme confidence. There is a refreshing enthusiasm from the players who are now trying out many set piece moves and also a few off the cuff efforts (such as the second half switch by John Kerr from the left back spot diagonally across the field into space on the right wing for a free-kick move with John Richardson which had Merthyr in trouble before they scrambled the ball away).
Merthyr looked to mid-field man Barry Jones for their inspiration, but eventually Ray Elliott got the better of him. In the second half especially it was Lynn all the way in the middle through Elliott, Frank Wignall and David Brooks.
Murphy's first mistake came in the 39th minute following a strong burst by Mick Wright. The Lynn captain switched play wide to Brooks on the right and then followed up to put Murphy under pressure when the centre came over. Murphy should have held the centre: but he dropped the ball and Lindsay moved in smartly to jab home his 16th goal of the season.
Worse was to follow for the Welsh goalkeeper. In the 87th minute he misjudged a centre from Wignall which curled in with the wind and the ball slipped through his fingers and over the line.
Between these goals Murphy had a fair amount of luck. He did not know much about a shot from Clarke which bounced just wide of the far post early in the second half. but he did well to keep out a strong shot from Rudd after another adventurous break by Kerr.
Merthyr, who had been looking to complete a double over the Linnets (they won 4-0 in their first meeting in December), posed few threats on Gary Steel's goal. In fact there was only one shot of merit. Clive Jarrett cutting in from the left to take Barry Jones' short free kick. in his stride. but he ballooned the ball into the terraces.
The covering and clearing of the Lynn back four did not allow Merthyr any other direct chance and top scorer Derrick Bryant was well marshalled by Nigel Smith.
After this game these Linnets' defenders could point to a record of only one goal conceded in 12 hours of Southern League football. And the only goal that has got through came from the penalty spot after a dubious decision at Barry.
Lynn: Steel. Richardson. Kerr. Brooks. Smith. Wright. Elliott. Lindsay. Rudd. Wignall. Clarke; sub Durant.
Merthyr: Murphy. Smith. Wakeham. D. Jones. Rosser. Young. B. Jones. Deacy. Bryant. Ingram. Jarrett; sub. Charles.
Attendance: 542.