Salisbury City 0 King's Lynn 3
17th April 2004
THE Linnets managed a magnificent result to set up a grandstand finish to the campaign.David Staff grabbed a typical wonder goal on his return following suspension, but it was the Defty brothers who grabbed the plaudits.
Younger sibling Charlie played a starring role out of position at left-back, while Jack bagged the first two strikes.
It was the first time two brothers started for Lynn's senior side since Mark and Julian Howard 11 years ago.
Joint boss Darren Bloodworth said: "The players prepared themselves very well for Saturday and that was proved by the result.
"A lot of people had written us off going into the last two games. Some people in the town thought we'd lose at home to Histon and at Salisbury but our doubters have been proved wrong."
On Charlie Defty's full debut for the club, Bloodworth said: "I've always known about Charlie's ability and he has been unlucky for one reason or another not to have featured more.
"We had no qualms about putting him in and he has responded magnificently.
"His brother Jack has come on leaps and bounds over the last year and forced himself into the first team on a regular basis and there's absolutely no reason why Charlie can't go on and do the same.
"I can't speak highly enough about both of them. They always listen and their attitude has been spot on."
Lynn centre-back Mark Burrows failed a fitness test before the game.
But for a side who could become the only one this season to do the double over The Walks outfit, Salisbury surprisingly did not look up for the fight and both defences were generally on top for the first two-thirds of the match.
Charlie Defty, usually a centre-back, looked so at home down the defensive flank and, had the game finished at half-time, he would have been man-of-the-match by a mile.
He defended and passed well, and supported the attack when needed.
Staff had the opening chance of the game on ten minutes as home keeper Kevin Sawyer fumbled his chance, but no-one was following up.
The hosts' first effort a few minutes before the break saw Craig Davis, released by Matt Tubbs, force a good save from Steve Wilson.
Just before half-time Daniel Hammond out jumped everyone from Staff's corner and home skipper Scott Bartlett kicked his header off the line.
Salisbury were on top for ten minutes in the second half, but Lynn coped well and came back.
Jack Defty headed Staff's free-kick over the target and a Dale Watkins glancing header was comfortably saved.
Staff set up both of Jack Defty's goals on 67 and 71 minutes from left-wing crosses, first side footing home from close-range, then a downward header.
Watkins provided Staff with an opportunity but the forward hit it straight at Sawyer's legs. By this time the Whites were caving in.
Staff rounded the day off three minutes from the end with a solo effort, cutting in from the left and hitting a tremendous right foot snorter into the top left hand corner of the net for his 22nd strike of the season.
Salisbury: Sawyer, Bartlett, Holmes (Strong 70), Cook, Thomas, Davies, Turk, Davis, Phillips, Tubbs, Purches. Subs not used: Bond, Harris, Wallace, Hedges
Lynn: L Wilson, Jones, C Defty, Hammond, Fuff, Stevenson (Fishlock 82), J Defty, Holmes, Staff, Watkins, Camm. Subs not used: Woodrow, Bacon, Butterworth, Nobes. Attendance: 903 Referee: A Laver (Fratton)
| FACT file | Shots on Target | Shots off Target | Corners | Caught Offside | Free kicks Conceded |
Bookings |
| Lynn | 6 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 11 | C Defty (46, foul) |
| Salisbury | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 15 |