Wisbech Town 4 King's Lynn 2
18th May 1983
WISBECH gave it competitive showing to retain the Kinsella Cup in their challenge with the Linnets on Wednesday.They were strengthened by the inclusion of Jackie Gallagher (who has had links with both Lynn and Wisbech) after his season with Torquay and he was among the scorers.
Lynn boss Keith Rudd summed it up: "We treated it like an end-of-season night out while Wisbech treated it like a cup final."
The Linnets had central defender Richard Johnston knocked out early in the game and he suffered with double vision. There were also team selection problems, especially with mid-fielder Chris Watts on duty for Norfolk, and reserve trio Martin Lindsay. Nigel Richards and Mark Howard were drafted in.
Having a trial in goal was Martin New who two sears ago was a regular with Barnsley, but injury put him out of the game and he has not played for the past year. Apart from the first own goal, conceded by Martyn Wiles, there was little New could do against Wisbech who found acres of space left by a generous defence.
After Richards and Kabia had pulled Lynn back on level terms at the interval. Wisbech regained the lead through Brighty and Tyler in the second half.
Lynn had regular keeper Andy Claxton as stand-by and he went on as it makeshift right back when Les McJannet was injured.
Lynn: New; McJannet (sub Claxton), Johnston, Wiles, Lindsay; Bartlett. Richards. Easthall, Burrows, Howard, Kabia