Opponents No.14 - Kingsbay Part 3

Wally Turnball had a settled side, able to attack with flair and defend with vigour - it was time for an all out assault on the First Division. 1981/82 was all set up to be Kingsbay's season. With Melchester Rovers in Division 2 and champions Danefield concentrating on the European Cup, it was as open a league as anyone could remember.

Portdean emerged as early pacesetters, with 'Bay also flying; four straight wins to open the season without conceding a goal. But the UEFA Cup defence ended in Round 1, a 5-0 thrashing in Naastricht proving just too big a lead to overturn, as a 6-1 win in the home leg saw the men from the Low Countries progress thanks to the away goal. Steve Marks was missing from the away leg, as young Irish boy Gerry Dolan debuted up front. While on career started in Holland one had to end. The big defeat marked the final appearance of goalkeeper Ray Bailey's Kingsbay career. He was dropped after a calamitous display and granted the transfer he requested. With inadequate cover, with Nick Donnelly and youth Peter 'Oscar' Freeman nowhere near ready to be first choice; Turnball returned to neighbours Stockbridge Town for young goalie Paul Knight.

Knight was another great signing and Kingsbay's league challenge was still strong. The big wins of the early season, however, were gone, 'Bay were scrapping, unsettled by the news that Steve Marks would be joining Italian giants Morino. The move collapsed, but momentum had shifted, draws with Eastgate and Stambridge keeping Portdean in the race. The title would be decided on the final day in a shoot-out at Dean Park.

In front of a sell out crowd of 40,000, Portdean chose to play it rough. Mickey Jordan was targeted, having passed a pre-match fitness test. For the youngster the treatment was too much and he was substituted at half-time, Leigh Parsons coming on.

Early in the second half, the best chance of the match fell to Steve Marks. Parsons out the striker away down the left-wing, Marks cut in an curled a beauty. But it wouldn't bend enough, striking the post. Portdean countered like lightning, a hoof over the 'Bay defence, the forward made no mistake - 1-0 to the team in second.

Kingbay's response was immediate, Steve rallied his troops. Pete Clarke hit the bar with a powerful header, Steve missed a glorious chance, firing into the side netting from a tight angle. With seconds left, Steve chipped a close-range free-kick towards the top corner, but Butt in the 'Dean goal somehow flicked it away and pounced on the loose ball, before Terry could bury an equaliser. The last kick of the match - full time! Portdean win and thousands of fans flood onto the pitch.

Kingsbay had been denied their first Championship since 1970/71. The long run in showed a side perhaps going stale, still over-reliant on the goals of Steve Marks. Perhaps it was time for Turnball to remove some of the dead wood...

Part 4 next week...

Stats 1981/82 season:

Squad:
G - Bailey, Donnelly, Freeman, Knight
D - Ellis, Dawson, Terry Marks, Gilbert, Sullivan, Norton
M - Bryant, MacDonald, Turner, Jennings
F - Steve Marks, Jordan, McCaffrey, Harris, Clarke, Parsons, Dolan