King’s Lynn Town boss Gary Setchell taking first loss of term on the chin ahead of Trafford test

Jake Jones. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant © 2014)

The Linnets' boss was furious after his side's 100pc start to the campaign came to an end at Stamford. And while much of that fury was reserved for the sloppy manner in which his troops surrended their goal lead in the 2-1 reverse, Setchell is ready to move forward ahead of their latest Evo-Stik Premier test.

Lynn's boss, whose men take on Trafford at The Walks this afternoon, said: 'We're trying hard to build on our start, and the one we've had at home (two wins from two).

'It's very, very difficult in this league not to lose a game at home. But if you can win 13 to 16, if not more, and you say win eight away, you're well on your way to a total that could get you in the play-offs. With a few draws dotted about you'd be there or thereabouts towards the end of the season. Home form is very, very important.

'We need to maximise our points at home as much as we can, although we all know anybody can beat anybody in this division. So when you get a defeat, you've just got to take it on the chin. We lost at Stamford. We've got to take it on the chin and move on. You can't beat yourself up about it. It's happened. Hopefully we can put in a good performance against Trafford and not let that defeat affect us.'

Nine points from 12 is certainly a sign that Lynn have learned from their debut term at Step Three of the non-league ladder. They finished 11th, one place behind their opponents this afternoon. And Setchell is expecting Trafford to provide stiff opposition once again for Norfolk's biggest semi-professional outfit.

'They are one of the best footballing teams we played last year,' said Town's manager.

'They like to play. They've got their own style. They move the ball comfortably and they're not the biggest side. They deserved to finish in the top 10 and they're solid at the back.'

The Manchester-based outfit lost 2-1 at home to Lynn in 2013/14 before drawing 2-2 at The Walks. That day they came back from two down to pick up a point with an injury-time equaliser during a match where Jake Jones, pictured, scored and got sent off. But this season has been less positive on the surface with Trafford drawing three of their opening four matches and tasting a 6-0 hammering at the hands of Ilkeston. However, Setchell is not letting those results cloud his judgement ahead of the teams' latest clash.

Lynn's boss – likely to have Jordan Yong and Dan Quigley back in his squad after the key pair missed two games through injury – added: 'People look at that 6-0 and think they've got worse, but that happens at this level.

'We got hit for six at Buxton last season, Rushall got done the same at ours, so I wouldn't read too much into that result at all.'