King's Lynn 2 Netherfield 2
28th March 1981
LYNN'S players and supporters alike must have been frustrated by the 2-2 draw with Netherfield in a drab game at the Walks on Saturday.
The Linnets never really tot going, and even when they did their efforts to attack were often stopped by boring but effective offside trap.
But even so the home players could not consistently put together the moves that could have conjured a way to beat the trap. Netherfield made most of the early running and had Lynn well and truly cornered by at least half-a-dozen corners in the opening 15 minutes.
Lynn's better efforts came from player-manager Keith Rudd, a shot a couple of yards wide and a header which sailed over the bar after he had done well to get behind the visitors' defence. Netherfield had hit the woodwork twice before they finally took the lead in the 31st minute.
[)es Salisbury crept in to prod the hall home the Linnets defence got into a tangle trying to clear it away.
Lynn had a purple patch in the two minutes either side of half-time. In the 43rd minute Clive Adams grabbed the equaliser - although much of the credit must go to robust striker Keith Alexander for setting up the chance.
Alexander shrugged off attempts to force him off the ball in the area and turned to strike the ball into the path of Adams who rammed it home.
In the 47th minute, as some spectators were still regaining their positions. Lynn took the lead. Chris Watts broke down the right and the Netherfield keeper could only' palm his low cross into the path of the incoming Paul Chapman who gratefully tucked away the chance. The game hit stalemate with both teams cancelling out each others midfield and it looked as if the Linnets might hang on to both points.
But with about 211 minutes left Keith Cathy, who was on Southport's books in their League days, glanced a header inside the post to make it 2-2.
One of the bright spots for Lynn was the assured handling of keeper Phil Ringwood.
Lynn: Ringwood: Moyes, Wiles, Wright, Wilson, Watts, Elliott, Adams, Rudd, Alexander, Chapman. Sub:: Rider. Attendance: 285.