Football: Martyrs to King’s cause

May 1 2008 by Our Correspondent, Merthyr Express

Merthyr Tydfil 0
Kings Lynn 2

KINGS Lynn did enough to secure the BGB Premier division at Penydarren Park in front of a bumper crowd.

Linnets supporters travelled in their hundreds as the visitors needed a win to guarantee them the title in the last match of the season.

A defeat for the Martyrs leaves them with a 13th placed finish, one better than last term, something which didn’t look likely a few weeks ago.

Merthyr started well and Scott Howie had to be on top form to deny Craig Stiens low down to his left.

The Martyrs were playing well as the visitors looked tense knowing a win would secure them the Southern League championship. The visitors took the lead on 30minutes when a free kick was headed across goal for Matt Nolan to stab home unmarked, despite three Kings Lynn players looking offside.

The hosts almost drew level moments later when Mike Jones missed a glorious chance from five yards after Howie had spilled a low drive from Shane Dawe.

And on the stroke of half time they went even closer when Kings Lynn captain Greg Crane glanced a Steve Williams throw in inches wide of his own goal with Howie stranded.

The visitors increased their lead on 56 minutes when Jack Defty beat two challenges and slotted home from the edge of the area.

Joe Francis had the chance to make it 3-0 but blasted a late penalty wide. To add to the Martyrs’ woes Williams was shown a red card for violent conduct, but there was no denying Kings Lynn as they closed the game out to take the title.