Chippenham Town 2 King's Lynn 2
16 February 2008
THE Linnets came from behind twice on Saturday to rescue a point, which knocks them off the top of the table.
The home side started like a rocket at Hardenhuish Park, but Lynn weathered the storm and replied in each half through Jack Defty and a Joe Francis penalty.
A last-minute melee saw Dave Pratt, who scored both of Chippenham's goals, sent off.
The home side began by throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at Lynn, who enjoyed a healthy away following among the 687-strong crowd.
They deservedly took the lead on 16 minutes when a high ball from Halliday was launched into the Lynn area, the visitors had chances to clear, and Pratt controlled the ball and flashed home a shot from ten yards.
For Lynn, Michael Frew had a half-chance from a Ben Chapman ball over the top, while Charlie Defty took the sting out of a Luke Gullick shot which enabled Scott Howie to dive on the ball.
Howie comfortably saved a 20-yarder from Kye Holly.
Lynn weathered the storm and replied on the stroke of half-time.
Ben Sedgemore combined well with Danny Bloomfield, who laid the ball off to Jack Defty, who scored from two yards out.
But within three minutes of the restart the Bluebirds regained the lead.
Gullick got behind his marker Dean West and pulled the ball back.
Again, no-one took responsibility to clear in the away defence, and Pratt got his second of the match from five yards.
On 51 minutes Charlie Defty cleared off the line a looping header from Sam Allison, Pratt this time the provider.
Sub Matt Nolan played in Jack Defty, whose 20-yard strike was over.
Sedgemore gathered a loose ball on the edge of the home box, and fired straight at home goalkeeper Chris Snoddy.
A minute later Ollie Price handled the ball just inside the home area and referee Mr Collins had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Francis converted the penalty to the keeper's right despite a good attempt to save by Snoddy.
As the last 20 minutes became scrappy, Lynn fashioned the best move of the match which Jack Defty headed over, and perhaps should have done better.
A late flare-up began when Pratt was fouled and Sedgemore kicked the ball at him.
Pratt reacted with a punch thrown, which prompted a melee and saw Pratt sent off, although more red cards may have been brandished by an inconsistent referee.
Webb said: "The fella knew what he'd done, and went straight off.
"I've seen much worse incidents."
Lynn continue a crucial period of the season on Saturday when they host Halesowen and then face fellow title-chasers Team Bath the following Tuesday.
Chippenham: Snoddy, Adams (Metitiri 82), Halliday, Price, McEntegart, Allison, Lye, Holly, Gullick, Seavill, Pratt. Subs not used: Harvey, Badman, Paul, Kemp. Booked: Price (70), Holly (84), Harvey (90).
Sent off: Pratt (90). Goals: Pratt 2 (18, 49).
Lynn: Howie, West, Chapman (Fisk 88), C. Defty, Crane, Camm, Frew (Turner 70), Sedgemore, J. Defty, Bloomfield (Nolan 60), Francis. Subs (not used): Buhlemann, Murray. Booked: J. Defty (77), Crane (90).
Goals: J. Defty (45), Francis (71 pen).
Referee: L. Collins (Aldershot). Attendance: 687.
MoM: Mark Camm – usual effort earned him three knocks, including two to the head