Rushden & Diamonds 3 King's Lynn 1
28th December 1992
HIGH-FLYING Rushden easily disposed of Lynn in this Beazer League fixture. Lynn found themselves under pressure right from the start and only goalkeeper Steve Lewis prevented early goals.
When Lewis was beaten Tim Maxwell cleared off the line.
Dave Robinson looked the most dangerous for Lynn but keeper Kevin Schoemake came out well to smother a low John Linford cross that almost reached the feet of his team-mate.
But the constant Rushden pressure finally produced a goal after 24 minutes, when John Flower's long ball forward put Kirkup in the clear and once he had rounded Lewis he was left with a simple tap in.
Further Rushden chances came and went with Lewis doing well to save a powerful shot by Glen Donegal. But right on half time a quick throw in caught Lynn napping and from Donegal's cross Kirkup was left with an easy tap in.
The opening stages of the second half began in similar fashion to the first with Rushden pressure leading to Lewis saving a swerving 25 yard Barrington Leslie shot while Donegal drove into the side netting.
Linford's looked sharp for Lynn, but he was denied any service. At the back meanwhile a series of errors gave Rushden more hope of extending their lead.
After 60 minutes it looked for a while as though the home side may be made to pay for their inability to score as a lapse in their own rearguard allowed Lynn to pull a goal back.
Robinson was freed down the right and his cross gave Tim Webster all the time he needed to tuck the ball past Schoemake from ten yards.
The goal sparked some life into the Lynn play but their response was effectively ended after 74 minutes when Donegal's flick set Kirkup free again.
The flying winger skipped round Lewis and rolled a shot towards goal that defender Hamish Curtis could only help in. Kirkup could even have added to his tally during injury time but Lewis somehow turned a point blank header round the post. Lynn: Lewis, Worthington, Curtis, McIntosh, Maxwell, Bunting, Webster, Watts, Linford, Wood, Robinson. Subs (not used): Fryatt, Stannard.
Attendance: 277
Lynn News Man of the Match: Dave Robinson - gave 100 per cent.