King's Lynn 2 Workington 0
16th August 1980
The Linnets should be able to hold their own on the hurly-burly of the Northern Premier League - That's the view of Workington manager Sean Gallagher.
And as an experienced observer of the league over several years, his opinion counts for something.
Gallagher told the LN&A "I think King's Lynn will cause a few surprises this season and should certainly win more games than they lose.
Linnets boss Keith Rudd for one will be hoping that prediction is borne out as the season develops.
He was not taken in by the euphoria of some Lynn fans, but said guardedly: "There were times when we pushed the ball around and we looked good, but when we forgot to do the simple things we got into trouble."
On those latter occasions the Linnets survived through a mixture of gritty defensive play and some poor finishing by Workington.
Gallagher when he looked back on the game thought his side a shade unlucky not to get a point and admitted surprise at the sometimes fierce challenge put up by Lynn which resulted in two bookings for fouls.
The Workington boss had not been satisfied with his team's performance in a first half where Lynn had the edge and took the lead. Only twice was keeper Phil Ringwood in danger - the first time he was helped when John Reach fumbled a free kick which found him unmarked in front of goal and later it was Reach again who turned in a low shot from the right which Ringwood saved with one hand.
It was Lynn who looked the better organised and definitely had more bite to their play. Rudd and Chapman moved freely in the forward positions, giving space or offering themselves as targets for a mid-field line which at times buzzed quite enthusiastically.
Chapman had Lynn's first chance, pushing a left foot shot hard but high over the top from 15 yards. A series of sharp attacks ended positively with shots going from Rudd, Chapman and new-boy Pinkowski.
A minute from half time another debut player, John Bailey, made his mark. He turned in a corner from the right to the head of Rudd at the near post and the flick-on caught Workington out and gave Clive Adams the chance to force the ball over the line.
The second half saw Workington raising their pace and bringing tall centre forward Graham Gill into the game. When he escaped marking from a free kick it needed an agile save fro Ringwood to snatch the ball away from his feet. In the 50th minute Gill headed on another free kick and the ball landed at the feet of Wayne Roberts who contrived to hoist his shot over the bar from only five yards out.
Chris Watts and Ringwood both went into the referee's book for a couple of strong challenges on Workington forwards who were breaking through towards open spaces in the penalty area. There was obvious danger in the goal-mouth melees that followed as the free kicks went in, but somehow Lynn survived.
Ringwood also did well to save a shot from substitute Barry Diamond which bounced awkwardly in front of him.
Lynn eased heir fears with an 85th minute goal, again scored by Adams. Rudd and Chapman helped set it up, Chapman clipped a centre which went over the defence to Adams steaming in from the right and he was accurate with a low shot.
There was even time for Chapman and Jimmy Wilson to test Workington keeper Jed Fisher with further shots in a late flurry.
Altogether four players were booked, Adams (for dissent) and Diamond (for shirt pulling) being the other players cautioned.
Lynn: Ringwood, Neale, Wilson, Watts, M Wiles, Wright, Adams, Bailey, Chapman, Rudd, Pinkowski, sub D Wiles.
Workington: Fisher, Moran, Rosethorn, Reach, Roberts, Hill, Holbrook, Smith, Gill, Matthews (sub Diamond 62 mins), Darling.
Referee: S Graham (Hull) Attendance: 410.