Histon 1 Lynn 4
15th September 2001
ONCE Lynn find their goalscoring touch, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the Premier Division.They returned home from the South Coast knowing full well that they should have inflicted Havant's first defeat of the season.
The Linnets produced a superb display that had everything but a goal.
Linnets coach Tommy Wright said: "There have. been games. this season where we haven't played -.well and have created very little; but today was different.
"Today we defended well and were strong ii the middle but just couldn't take our chances in front of goal.
"We should have won convincingly and Havant boss Liam Daish admitted that after the game."
The Walks outfit now boast the best defensive record in the division, but unless they solve their shyness in front of goal there could be more frustrating days on the horizon.
Home keeper Paul Nicholls, voted man-of-the-match by Havant sponsors, spared his sides' blushes with some fine handling and several vital saves.
Lynn's worst culprit in front of goal was midfielder Wayne Anderson, recalled to the side after a fortnight with the reserves.
Anderson had a fine game and looked clear favourite to make amends for the sitter he missed against Merthyr when Lee Hudson's 77th minute cross found him two yards out on goal.
But somehow Anderson contrived to scoop his shot over the Havant woodwork with only the keeper to beat.
Wright defended Anderson when he said: "All I said to Wayne after the game is that if you keep getting in positions like that in the box than the goals will eventually come."
To-be fair, Anderson wasn't the only Lynn player to fluff an opportunity when well placed.
Zeke Rowe planted a header wide from a Jamie March cross in the 56th minute and five minutes. later Robinson's header from a Jason Minett free-kick was hooked off the line.
The home keeper denied Rowe and substitute Lyndon Rowland with his feet, while Adie Hayes saw a long-range effort whistle past the Havant post.
Havant rarely converged on Lynn's goal, where goalkeeper Steve Wilson was a virtual spectator between the posts.
The defensive trio of Dave Robinson, Glen Fuff and Jon Whitney comfortably dealt with any sign of a Havant threat.
Their best chance came in the 28th minute when the impressive Whitney was on hand to clear O' Rourke's header off the line.
The only downside for Lynn were bookings for March, Dakin, Anderson and Hudson, two of which could have been avoided.
Havant: Nicholls, Price, Ferrett, Connelly, Hale, Gale, Blake, Hambley (Davis 83), O'Rourke, Taylor (Leworthy 65), Champion.
Lynn: Wilson, Dakin, March, Robinson (Clark 90), Fuff, Whitney, Anderson, Hayes, Rowe (Clarke 85), Hudson (Rowland 79), Minett.
Att: 474.
MoM: Jon Whitney.
Bookings (for Lynn): March 6 (kicking the ball away), Dakin 33 (bodycheck), Anderson 47 (failing to retreat for a free-kick), Hudson 64 (late challenge).