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King's Lynn Town prove they can mix it with the National League North big boys after Chester draw




King's Lynn Town 2 Chester 2

The league table never lies. For third-placed Lynn a point at home to much-fancied Chester ensured that their long, unbeaten home record will continue into another month.

Their form this season suggests they are good enough to mix it with the big boys and this latest result proved it.

Ian Culverhouse's side went toe-to-toe with the Blues in a breathless encounter and on this evidence it's hard to imagine that both Chester and King's Lynn Town won't be near the top end of the National League North come the end of this season.

King's Lynn Town's deadly front duo of Michael Gash and Adam Marriott. Picture: Tim Smith. (19183721)
King's Lynn Town's deadly front duo of Michael Gash and Adam Marriott. Picture: Tim Smith. (19183721)

The contest lived up to its match-of-the-day billing after Adam Marriott had fired the hosts in front after just 66 seconds.

Second-half efforts from Simon Grand and Akwasi Asante put Chester ahead before Marriott preserved Lynn's proud record at The Walks with his second goal of an absorbing clash.

Linnets boss Ian Culverhouse said: "We had to go to another level today as we played a really good Chester side.

"They've got good shape, they're strong and well-drilled, but I thought we were excellent and moved the ball about really well in the first half.

Defender Chris Smith leaves the field with a dislocated elbow. Picture: Tim Smith. (19184043)
Defender Chris Smith leaves the field with a dislocated elbow. Picture: Tim Smith. (19184043)

"The second half became a real battle for for us as they stepped it up another gear and that's the quality they have got.

"I'm really proud of my players and I thought Ross (Barrows) was magnificent for us an emergency centre-half."

Joint Chester boss Anthony Johnson was delighted to go home with a share of the spoils and believes that Lynn will be battling it out for promotion come the end of the season.

"I really enjoyed the game, it had a bit of everything," admitted Johnson.

"It was about two side who wanted to play and two sides who wanted to compete and for a neutral it was a great advert on Non-League Day.

Chris Henderson shields the ball. Picture: Tim Smith. (19184049)
Chris Henderson shields the ball. Picture: Tim Smith. (19184049)

"There wasn't much between the two teams, but for us as an away team after a five-hour journey we'll take a point all day long.

"They are a typical team like Altrincham last year who have been promoted and play with no fear.

"We never brought into the notion that they were these underdogs when you've got them two at top (Marriott and Gash) who are as good as anything.

"They've also got an experienced defender at the back and a player like Jarvis (Ryan) who has played in the Premier League with Norwich.

"They are a good side with good players, so I fully expect them to be in the top three or four definitely."

King's Lynn Town players celebrate during their 2-2 draw against Chester at The Walks. Picture: Tim Smith. (19183719)
King's Lynn Town players celebrate during their 2-2 draw against Chester at The Walks. Picture: Tim Smith. (19183719)

Any nerves Lynn may have had after their recent reverse against York City were dispelled within the opening couple of minutes.

A Joel Taylor pass was misplaced allowing Lynn to break, but the danger seemed to have passed when George Glendon passed back to Russ Griffiths between the posts.

But Griffiths' dreadful clearance fell straight to Marriott who had time to advance and find the bottom corner from just inside the area.

Lynn had the better of the first half, but the game was turned on its head with two goals in a six-minute period of the second half.

First, on 56 minutes, Matty Hughes delivered a ball across the box for Simon Grand to find the back of the net from close range.

Striker Michael Gash in possession. Picture: Tim Smith. (19184052)
Striker Michael Gash in possession. Picture: Tim Smith. (19184052)

Six minutes later, the excellent Glendon switched a stunning 60-yard pass for the run of Jackson on the right, allowing the winger to square the ball back for the onrushing Asante to sweep the visitors in front.

But as so often in the last few months Lynn refused to buckle.

Fourteen minutes from time, a Ross Barrows cross from the right was brilliantly chested down and fired home on the half-volley by Marriott.

The prolific frontman almost had a hat-trick just a minute later as Culverhouse's troops piled forward under the roar of the partisan home crowd.

But after doing all of the hard work and creating space for himself in the box, the 28-year-old fired into the side netting.

King's Lynn Town (5-3-2): Street, Barrows, Fox, Jones, Smith (Payne 20), McAuley, Clunan, Richards (Kelly 68), Gash, Marriott, Henderson. Subs not used: Stewart, Carey, Bastock.

Goals: Marriott 2, 76.

Chester (4-4-2): Griffiths, K. Roberts, Taylor, G. Roberts, Livsey, Grand, Jackson (Elliott), Glendon, Asante (Waring 78), Hughes (Stopforth 78), Dudley. Subs not used: Morgan, Jones.

Goals: Grand 56 Asante 62.

Attendance: 1,637.

Adam Marriott challenges for the ball. Picture: Tim Smith. (19184054)
Adam Marriott challenges for the ball. Picture: Tim Smith. (19184054)


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