King’s Lynn Town 2 Fakenham Town 0 – Linnets keep their cool to withstand spirited effort from Ghosts in Norfolk Senior Cup final

Action from the Norfolk Senior Cup Final at Carrow Road. King's Lynn Town's Michael Clunan scores the penalty. (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

Michael Clunan's penalty and Ryan Fryatt's header were enough for the Linnets to lift the trophy for the first time since the club was reformed in 2010 and the first time since their reserves beat Wroxham in 2009.

Fakenham did their best to rattle the higher-level Linnets early on but were thankful to keeper Tommy Rix as he smothered a close-range header from Sam Warburton.

Culverhouse's side took the lead in the 20th minute though when Rix charged out to try and beat Ryan Hawkins to the ball and saw a penalty given against him despite limited contact, with Lynn skipper Clunan sweeping the spot-kick towards the top-left corner.

Seven minutes later Warburton's low shot from 15 yards prompted Rix into another fine save, using his feet to keep his team in the match.

The Fakenham fans were delighted to see Hawkins booked in the 30th minute – after his involvement in the penalty – for a tackle which left Lynn boss Culverhouse furiously pointing at left-back Stuart Garner for going down dramatically.

Fryatt missed a golden chance when unmarked at the back post late in the second half but made up for it when doubling King's Lynn's lead in the 71st minute.

The goal came after a spirited push from the Ghosts early in the second half, with Josh Youngs heading wide and two Kyle Plumb shots denied by late blocks, before a goal-saving tackle from Sam Garner denied Ryan Harnwell.

However, the resulting corner from the left from Warburton was met by Fryatt at the back post, whose looping header found the back of the net from eight yards.

King's Lynn: Street; Hawkins, Tom Ward, Gaughran, Yong; Shipp (Chris Ward 90), Clunan (C), Zielonka, Warburton (McQuaid 85); Hawkins, Harnwell (Lennon 79). Unused subs: Pearson (GK), McLeish

Fakenham: Rix, Sam Garner, Youngs (Williams 76), Gilchrist, Stuart Garner; Abbott, Harvey (C – Akers 79), Franks, Dye; Plumb (Glover 79), Jarvis. Unused subs: Cary, Colman

Attendance: 1,313

Reaction: Ian Culverhouse pleased to see 'hard season' end on a high as King's Lynn Town enjoy cup success at Carrow Road

King's Lynn Town celebrate their win at Carrow Road. Pictures: Matthew Usher Photography (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

Ryan Fryatt's effort is heading towards the back of the King's Lynn net. (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

King's Lynn Town chairman Stephen Cleeve is all smiles at the final whistle. (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

A dejected Fakenham player at the final whistle. (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

There was a beautiful sunset at Carrow Road. (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

Action from the Norfolk Senior Cup Final at Carrow Road - King's Lynn Town celebrate their win. (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

Action from the Norfolk Senior Cup Final at Carrow Road - Lynn Town's Ryan Fryatt scores and celebrates his goal. (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

Action from the Norfolk Senior Cup Final at Carrow Road - Lynn Town's Ryan Fryatt scores and celebrates his goal. (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

Action from the Norfolk Senior Cup Final at Carrow Road. (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

Action from the Norfolk Senior Cup Final at Carrow Road. (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

King's Lynn boss Ian Culverhouse issues his instructions during the Senior Cup final. Picture: Matthew Usher Photography (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

Action from the Norfolk Senior Cup Final at Carrow Road. (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

Action from the Norfolk Senior Cup Final at Carrow Road. (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

Action from the Norfolk Senior Cup Final at Carrow Road. (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

Action from the Norfolk Senior Cup Final at Carrow Road. (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

Action from the Norfolk Senior Cup Final at Carrow Road. (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

Action from the Norfolk Senior Cup Final at Carrow Road. King's Lynn Town Manager Ian Culverhouse - The Norfolk Senior Cup. (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

Action from the Norfolk Senior Cup Final at Carrow Road. (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

Action from the Norfolk Senior Cup Final at Carrow Road. (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

Action from the Norfolk Senior Cup Final at Carrow Road. Fakenham Town Manager Neil Jarvis. (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)

Action from the Norfolk Senior Cup Final at Carrow Road. (Image: Matthew Usher Photography)