United strung up by Lynch’s mob (17.04.04)

KETTERING Town effectively took six points home to Northants on Saturday afternoon, as they came from behind to earn a 2-1 win over the Magpies at York Road.
In a generally dire first half, chances were few and far between, although it was the visitors who had the better of the exchanges and might have been disappointed to reach the break on level terms.
After an initial flurry from the hosts, United’s keeper Phil Wilson was forced to make a brave interception on 13 minutes, to deny Elliot Paschalis a free run on goal.
Wilson was again called into action on 26 minutes, this time to turn a close-range header over the bar, and then pulled off another fine save to deny Darren Lynch in a controversial one-on-one, after the
referee overruled an offside flag.
Unfortunately, there was no other action to report before half-time, as the defences got on top and both sides struggled to retain useful possession.
The game eventually burst into life a minute after the restart, when Ryan Ashe lashed Ben Hammond’s cross into the top corner.
Twelve minutes later, the Magpies appeared to have sewn it up, when Richard Harris lifted Ashe’s free-kick over the keeper and into the roof of the net.
Unfortunately, the linesman (from Basingstoke) had his flag up and the goal was ruled out.
The let-off seemed to lift the visitors, who got back on level terms on 65 minutes, after Harris conceded a free-kick on the edge of the centre circle.
John Hore dropped the ball into the six yard box, where Phil Wilson fumbled, allowing Brett Solkhon to sweep home the loose ball from all of four yards.
Appeals for an apparent push on Wilson fell on deaf ears and Kettering were back in the match.
A dramatic overhead shot from Peter Dean went close to retaking the lead for United within six minutes, but it was matched by an equally good save from Mark Bunn.
The lively Hammond then went close with a deft chip, but it was the visitors who sealed the result on 78 minutes, when a diagonal ball behind the Magpies’ defence gave the troublesome Lynch a free run on goal. Wilson did well to force the striker wide, but Lynch kept his cool and steered the ball into the unguarded net.
United still might have rescued a point, but Bunn pulled off a fantastic reaction save to deny Yaku in injury time.
Basingstoke’s 2-0 home win over Aylesbury took them above United on goal difference, but Ford United’s 0-0 draw against Thurrock means it is still all to play for.

SIZING IT UP: Diminutive speedster Ben Hammond got short shrift from the Kettering Town defence at York Road on Saturday.