Linnets go down in pre-season opener

Ian Culverhouse speaking to his players at half-time Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

A 40th-minute goal settled the issue, but it was all about shaking off cobwebs for the Linnets who had seen their scheduled summer opener at Bishop’s Stortford seven days earlier scrapped because of a waterlogged pitch.

Culervhouse chose to field two different teams for each half - the strength of each proving he has just about two players for every position. The only outfield player to start both halves was new signing Tai Fleming, who was later replaced by Luke Johnson, the young striker returning to the fray and looking comfortable alongside Chris Smith in defence.

The first-half team were rather more sluggish than the second-half line-up, which showed more attacking intent, had two goals disallowed, and generally surrounded the home goal without being able to break through the ranks of yellow shirts.

There was a scare midway through the first half when striker Adam Marriott looked to be struggling with an ankle injury, but he managed to shrug it off.

Aaron Jones on the ball. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

The second half saw Michael Gash and Dayle Southwell providing the attacking intent - both saw efforts ruled out – but Culverhouse will want his players to up the tempo when they head to Rushden & Diamonds on Tuesday night. Simon Power and Jamar Loza were both missing because of injury at Stowmarket, although Power could be available for Rushden, while on-loan keeper Archie Mair is away with parent club Norwich City next week in Germany.

King’s Lynn (first half): Street, Jones, McAuley, Fleming, Raspberry, Johnson, Clunan, Richards, Hawkins, Marriott, Henderson.

Second half: Street, Barrows, Smith, Fleming, Brown, Carey, Jarvis, Kelly, Gascoigne, Gash, Southwell.

Ryan Hawkins draws a foul from his marker. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

Ryan Hawkins drives forward. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

Lynn's Luke Johnson. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

Lynn hotshot Adam Marriott watched by former Linnet, Craig Parker. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

Michael Gash went close with this header. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

Sonny Carey in the thick of the action. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

Lynn's Luke Johnson. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

Lynn hotshot Adam Marriott watched by former Linnet, Craig Parker. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

Sonny Carey in the thick of the action. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

Ross Barrows on the ball. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

Lynn frontman, Michael Gash. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

Dayle Southwell tries his luck from distance. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

Dayle Southwell on the ball. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

Alex Brown bursts past his marker. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

Sam Kelly lets fly. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

Sam Kelly was awarded a free-kick after this challenge. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

Ryan Jarvis battles for the ball. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

Michael Gash controls the ball. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

Ian Culverhouse, right, and assistant Paul Bastock on the touchline at Stowmarket Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)

Jordan Richards on the ball for Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Ian Burt Photography)