King's Lynn 4 Gresley Rovers 2

17th January 1998

MAGICAL Lynn moved within three points of the top three thanks to an entertaining victory at the reigning Dr Martens League champions on Saturday.
"We were magic in the first 20 minutes and the game should have been over by then," enthused Peter Morris as he saw his side romp into a 2-0 lead which could have easily been trebled.
"The front two (Steve Williams and Brett McNamara) were tremendous and Craig Hopkins has come of age," said the delighted team boss Indeed it was Hopkins, the target of Walks fans derision at some earlier home games, who proved to b the star of the show in the opening period.
After only eight minutes he showed wonderful skills to beat two defenders before pulling a last ditch block out of home keeper Stuart Ford.
Bit the former Scarborough custodian was left rooted a minute later when Hopkins sent a volley bouncing into the net from just inside the area.
Ford made a a good save to thwart McNamara two minutes later but was beaten again after 12 minutes when Williams teased him before dispatching the ball clinically into the corner of the net.
Jason Pascoe's mis-hit shot almost brought a third after quarter of an hour but Williams diverted the ball inches wide of the post.
Andy Simpson was on hand to clear off the line when Williams beat Ford after 19 minutes but Lynn almost lost the initiative four minutes later.
John Cotterill’s cross was headed in by Ian Pitt but the linesman’s flag was up for offside. Matthew Wright proved to be the second half key after replacing dead-leg victim Martin Matthews just before the break. His corner was headed narrowly wide by Colin Hoyle seconds into the half and then he provided the balls for the Linnets’ goals.
Gez Murphy battled through to pull a goal back after 51 minutes but Lynn restored their advantage straight after the restart. Wright delivered a magnificent far post cross for McNamara to head home and then his corner saw Pascoe’s header cleared off the line by Richard Wardle.
James Hollman, back after suspension, pulled off two fine saves but was beaten again with four minutes to go by Murphy’s close range header.
McNamara made sure of the points in the second-minute of injury time when he finished off an excellent move started by Wright and continued by the ever-dangerous Williams.
Saturday’s game did not finish until almost 5 pm - caused by a delayed start after a groundsman was called to remove dog dirt from the centre circle!
Given the disallowed goal, there are some Gresley supporters who seemed to think that the excrement was on the pitch for the full 90 minutes.
Lynn: Hollman, Matthews (Wright 35), Skelly, Hoyle, Trotter, Ellis, Pascoe, Hopkins, Williams, McNamara, Mead. Subs (not used) Delicata, Lewis
Gresley: Ford, Cotterill (Allsop 45), Horseman, Fowles, Jennings, Guyett, Wardle, Simpson, Murphy, Pitt (Grant 83) Turner. Sub (not used) Fitzpatrick.

MATCH STATISTICS	Shots on Target	Shots off Target	Corners	Caught Offside	Free kicks Conceded	Bookings
Lynn	9	4	2	2	10	Skelly (foul, 40)
Gresley	5	4	4	3	9	Wardle (foul, 41)