King's Lynn boss Keith Webb slapped a health warning on today's Southern League, Premier Division clash against Yate at The Walks.

By PADDY DAVITT

King's Lynn boss Keith Webb slapped a health warning on today's Southern League, Premier Division clash against Yate at The Walks.

Webb wants his title chasers to win ugly as they bid to turn up the heat on closest rivals Team Bath. The Students visit Hitchin, who pocketed a point on last week's trip to Norfolk - but Webb expects no favours.

“I would back Team Bath to win so we need to take care of business,” he said. “It's not going to be pretty and I know Yate will try to turn it into a battle. They'll come here looking to make it hard for us to break them down. If supporters want to go and watch silky football on a Saturday then maybe they should head to Arsenal. At this stage it's about the three points - that's the be all and end all.”

Webb rules out any repeat of the goal less stalemate against the Canaries.

“Hopefully the players will be stung into action after that performance,” he said. “They all know what the circumstances are and what is at stake. I've thought about changes but what I really want is a positive reaction. We could blame the pitch, the wind but they are excuses and I don't want to hide behind anything like that.

“I was as annoyed as any supporter. The longer the game went the more it seemed like they didn't want to lose. I couldn't fault the effort. We just needed that first goal and we'd have gone on to win by a couple more.

“We can't just expect performances for the rest of the season like we got in the two previous games against Halesowen and Team Bath. Second half in the Halesowen game especially and for 90 minutes at Team Bath we were excellent. Maybe a few nerves got to them last week.”

Shaun Carey (leg) misses out but Webb confirmed the experienced midfielder is edging closer to a first team return. Ben Sedgemore is included after being forced off against Hitchin complaining of sickness and feeling unwell.

Steve Melton continues his comeback from a calf injury with a Ridgeons reserve outing after captaining the club in the midweek league cup defeat to Hillingdon Borough.

Matt Nolan and Michael Frew retain their places in the first team squad despite Webb's criticism of the duo following Lynn's semi final exit.

“We spoke at training and I've spelt out what I want from my first team players,” said Webb. “They know now if they didn't before what is expected of them. It's down to them to sort it out but from what they said and the reaction in training it has been positive. It wasn't a great performance all round, but lads not playing well is one thing. It's the effort and attitude that I want to see because people will get a chance. There's no way we can use the same 11 players between now and the end of the season.”

Yate boss Richard Thompson turned down an approach from managerless neighbours Mangotsfield this week to complete his rebuilding job at Lodge Road.

“Being offered the chance to go there made me reflect and gave me renewed impetus,” he said. “I've really enjoyed this season. It's a job that keeps me extremely busy but I'm still progressing and I want to manage at as high a level as possible. It would be nice to think that's with Yate. If I ever left Yate it would be because I felt I was joining another club with serious aspirations to progress.”

Midfielder Darren Hawkins is suspended. Striker Matt Rawlins has joined Taunton Town on loan.

King's Lynn (from): Howie, West, Chapman, Hoyte, Crane, Bains, C Defty, Camm, Frew, Turner, Sedgemore, Fisk, J Defty, Bloomfield, Nolan, Francis, Murray.