Sittingbourne 2 King's Lynn 2

18th February 1998

LACK-LUSTRE Lynn clung to a point from their trip to Kent on Wednesday evening.
With four players suffering flu and the team coach arriving late, allowing just 35 minutes to prepare for the game, Lynn looked out of sorts.
But a solid defensive performance from Tony Spearing ensured a point was earned to push the Linnets up to fifth place.
Lynn withstood an early bombardment as the strugglers looked to add to an impressive recent run of home results.
Spearing blocked a sixth-minute effort from Darren Smith and Peter Overton lobbed narrowly over soon after. James Hollman needed to head clear from just outside his area before Lynn regained their composure.
And Lynn's first attack led to the opening goal after 14 minutes unfortunately for the hosts.
Matthews' free-kick was headed powerfully towards goal by Glyn Roberts but Paul Haylock cleared off' the line and, when Simon Mead's follow up was blocked, Sittingbourne broke quickly and Smith had the time to slot the ball past Hollman.
Lynn struck back within three minutes, Leo Cotterell curling a superb free kick round the wall to beat stranded home keeper Andy Hough.
Hough was at fault when he failed to gather a through ball and Hudson's challenge saw it bobble free for Mead to finish clinically.
The second half was drab but the vocal Lynn support again out-shouted the home fans - even having the opportunity to cheer a rare appearance by Darren Bloodworth - the newly appointed first team coach taking on the physio's duties for the evening.
"There can't be many players with more experience of injuries than me," joked the player whose troublesome knee forced his retirement last year.
'Bourne had some neat approach work but lacked the penetration until the Linnets. gifted them an equaliser.
Lynn had failed to control midfield and, with the forwards struggling to hold the ball, the defence came under severe pressure and it was no surprise when they cracked after 65 minutes.
Hoyle's mis-hit clearance fell to Overton and his 20-yard volley took Hollman by surprise as it flashed past his flailing arm inside the near post.
"When you put your own defence under that much pressure it's no surprise when they make a mistake," said manager Peter Morris.
Warboys player Mark Hanton took a place on the bench but Morris said he was one for the future.
Lynn: Hollman, Matthews, Cotterill, Hoyle, Ellis, Spearing, G Roberts (McNamara 71), Hopkins, Williams, Mead, Hudson. Subs (not used) Hanton, D Roberts.
Sittingbourne: Hough, Smith, Seager, Hume, Pearson, Allan (Ponsford 71), Haylock, Clout (Dighton 79), Overton, Planck, Owen. Sub (not used) Binks.

MATCH STATISTICS	Shots on Target	Shots off Target	Corners	Caught Offside	Free kicks Conceded	Bookings
Lynn	4	2	2	3	14	Hopkins (foul, 89)
Sittingbourne	4	7	7	5	19	Clout (foul, 49)

Report by permission of the Lynn News