Lynn target top spot in Walks finale

Paddy Davitt

King's Lynn boss Keith Webb targets the perfect send-off in tonight's Southern League, Premier Division home finale against Bashley at The Walks (7.45pm).

Lynn need a draw to go top with just two away obstacles at Gloucester and Merthyr standing between the club and conference-level football next season.

Webb is wary of play-off chasing Bash after they slipped up 2-0 at Hitchin on Saturday. The visitors arrive with a four-point buffer over Hemel Hempstead in the race for the final play off-spot.

"They will come looking to put right what happened at the weekend," insisted Webb. "I don't think they will settle for a point. A win more or less shores up the play-offs.

"It's another team with everything to play for. We went there on the opening day. They were tough, resilient, disciplined and well organised. Definitely one of the better teams in the league and results since have shown that is the case."

Webb predicts another nail-biter after a nervy 2-1 weekend win over Brackley.

"There was some tension around the place in the second half," he said. "But I only have to look at the Man United and Arsenal game. Arsenal created four or five good chances, played decent football, but United ground out the win. That's all we've got to do. Win, finish it off at home, and set ourselves up for the final two away games."

Relegation-threatened Corby remain the only side to pocket three points at Lynn's home fortress this season.

"The players have responded magnificently all year," said Webb. "We might not have played some of the football seen here down the years but we have scored plenty of goals.

"We always try to go out and play decent football but Ray Wilkins hit the nail on the head when he said Arsenal play lovely football, but is it winning football? I've spent a lot of time in an environment where results weren't the main thing. I was involved in teams that went out, played free flowing football, and games would finish 4-4 or 4-3. Then coaches would ring me up afterwards saying 'what great football'.

"When you're in a charge of a first team going for promotion you need results. It's a different kettle of fish."

John Turner (back spasm) is a doubt after limping off against the Saints. Webb again takes no chances with Mark Warren (knee) and Mark Camm (concussion). Cambridge United loan defender Gavin Hoyte (hamstring) is poised to return to light training.

"He should start jogging this week so there's a possibility he might be back in the frame for the final week," confirmed Webb. "Cammy wasn't allowed to play for a week after being knocked out. Then it's down to the discretion of the doctors but we feel the Bashley game has come too soon."

Wideman Joe Francis is fit after being withdrawn with a bout of cramp at the weekend as he bids to add to his 22 goals in 44 appearances this season.

"On his day he is the best in our division - absolutely," said Webb. "But having been involved in the development of players with some success he knows he has weaknesses that he must work on. Joe's crossing can be a bit one dimensional and there was evidence of that against Brackley.

"He needs to get that variety where he can hit balls to the front and back stick. Don't get me wrong, though, if he keeps working he can go on and have the sort of career that he wants."

Bashley boss Steve Riley is desperate to get his side's Hitchin no- show out of their system.

"We huffed and puffed and tried to play a bit of football," he said. "But I think we could've still been there on Sunday and not scored, it was just one of those games.

"The most pleasing thing was that the results went for us. Hemel Hempstead drew and Gloucester lost, so we didn't lose any ground. It's still in our hands. We're still in the best position and I'd have taken it at the start of the season."

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