Spalding United 1 King's Lynn 2
25th March 2003
LINNETS manager Peter Morris hit out at Boston referee Mr Wade after Lynn condemned Spalding to their 11th straight defeat.Goals from David Staff and Richard Woodrow ensured that that Lynn bounced back from the disappointing home draw against rock bottom St Leonards, but their task was made difficult by the 28th minute dismissal of goalkeeper Steve Wilson.
Wilson was handed an early bath by Mr Wade - the same referee who sent-off fellow keeper Dean Greygoose on Boxing Day for handling outside his area.
"How the referee can make a decision like that I don't know," fumed Morris.
"Even if it did touch Steve's hand, it wasn't deliberate and sometimes I feel that keepers should be given the benefit of the doubt"
By the time Wilson was getting changed Lynn had coasted into a 2-0 advantage and a goal feast had been on the cards. Lynn took the lead after 10 minutes thanks to home keeper Shabaz Hussain, who juggled and spilt the ball before Staff nipped in to leave him red-faced.
Nine minutes later Adam Weston chipped the ball through to Richard Woodrow, who enjoyed his best game in Lynn colours so far, and the former Norwich City midfielder applied a fine finish.
Surprisingly, The Walks outfit forfeited a defender instead of a striker after reserve keeper Simon Nobes came on, and that killed the game as a contest.
Lynn did strike the post through Jack Defty and the bar through a Staff free-kick, but Spalding, who fielded four new players in their side, grew in confidence as the game went on.
The Tulips reduced the arrears six minutes from time when one of the new faces, Steve Muggeridge, slotted home to set up a tense finish, but Lynn held on. Lynn: Wilson, Harvey (Nobes 29), Holyoak, Burrows, Fuff, Defty, Weston: Woodrow, Bacon (Harris 82), Staff, Holmes. Subs not used: Blyth, Cowling, Blake.
Spalding: S. Hussain, A. Taylor, M. Huggins, L. Sowerby, S. Baker, S. Muggeridge, S. Walton, P. Goodhand, J. Dixon, N. Allen (L. Harold 66), R. Lewsham (B. Naylor 84). Not used: C. England, D. Elding, B. Chitlock.
MoM: Danny Holyoak.
Referee: Mr C. Wade (Boston).
Bookings/S-Off, Spalding (foul unless stated): Baker 37, Walton 45, Dixon 57 (violent conduct), Sowerby 60 (dissent), Harold 80. Lynn: Wilson sent-off 28 (handling outside area), Fuff 53 (foul play).