Willenhall 0 King's Lynn 1
24th February 1985
THE LINNETS and Kevin Ready are back in business.That was the message coming through loud and clear from the Midlands on Sunday as the Linnets won again to secure a maximum six points from their two Southern League fixtures and move into second place in the table.
Ready with a perfect early strike set the Linnets up, then it was fiercely determined play that kept the lead intact, the best we have seen since at Bristol Rovers.
Willenhall, unbeaten at home in the league, did not have a game on Saturday and perhaps expected to find the Linnets weary in their second game of the weekend
What a jolt the Midlanders were given, when in the 13th minute a crisp mid-field pass from Chris Watts out to Ready on the right wing set the attack going
Defender Clive Perrins was unprepared for the turn of speed by Ready, who cut inside and lined up a left foot shot which he clashed into the far corner of the net.
Even given that decisive warning, the Midlanders surprisingly still gave Ready a lot of room. Ready thumped another first half effort against the post, then late in the game had the goalkeeper Alan Dulleston diving to turn away a stinging shot.
But don't get the impression it was a one-man-show. In attack Martin Coupe and Martin Twigger did their part in helping Ready get the space he likes; and there was excellent commitment from the mid-field and defence departments.
In a tactical switch for this game, manager Colin. Foster put himself into the centre of the defence with Ian Wood, releasing Clive Adams for a mid-field role.
Both players seemed to benefit from the change and Chris Watts also in midfield had his most effective game for a while. Full backs Easthall and Mercer both came through with credit.
Willenhall did have their moments. John Winwood probably thought he had equalised just after Ready's goal, only to see Andy Claxton make a flying one handed save. And mid-way through they second half Stewart Gallagher drove against the bar, with the ball bouncing down on to the line before it was scrambled away.
It was hardly surprising that the Linnets began to tire towards the end, but they still had enough awareness to frustrate Willenhall who ran out of ideas.
Mercer, Easthall and Twigger were the Linnets players booked, as were Seddon and Wootton on the home side.
Willenhall: Dulleston. Peyton. Perrins, Bircham. Ash. Stevens. Seddon. Jones. Gallagher, Wootton, Winwood: sub Jones.
Lynn: Claxton: Mercer. Wood. Foster. Easthall; Watts. Adams. Hines; Ready, Twiggcr, Coupe: sub Ippoliuo.
Referee:P Jones (Loughborough).