Sport Report - W/E 15th and 16th November

Only four games beat the weather this weekend as Lynn involved in FA Trophy thriller.

Unbeaten under Ian Calverhouse’s new regime, King’s Lynn Town went into Saturday’s 2nd Round FA Trophy match at home to Isthmian South Central Division side, Harrow Borough, with confidence at the Docherty Walks Stadium.

Lynn took the game straight to their opponents who play two divisions below the Linnets. Despite some injuries in the home squad, the gulf in quality was evident early on as the visitors struggled to contain Lynn’s pressing passing, as the forwards interchanged well and created early chances. 

Lynn goalscorer Ross Crane in action

Ross Crane opened the scoring on six minutes, weaving his way to the edge of the box and unleashing a drive that deflected into the net. Gold Omotayo then broke and was tripped by the visiting keeper, Tom Clark. He stepped up to make it 2-0 on 20 minutes to put Lynn seemingly in complete charge.

Lynn goalscorer Gold Omotayo heads goalwards

There are some well known phrases in football, such as Bill Shankly’s famous comment that ‘some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it is more serious than that’. Others include ‘2-0 is a dangerous scoreline’ and ‘don’t take your foot off the pedal’. Lynn might take heed from the latter two, leading 2-0 they took their foot off the gas. 

In the latter stages of the first half, Harrow began to play themselves back into the match posing a real threat down the flanks as Lynn sat back, although it remained 2-0 at the break.

Two different half time team talks you might think. In the second half, it was now Harrow who looked like they were the higher ranked side, stroking the ball around with confidence and posing a danger. 

Borough’s manager, Wayne Carter, then introduced some changes with quick dividends, as the increasing threat from Harrow forward, Dernell Wynter, became more prominent. Finding himself free in the box after a mix up at the back, he deservedly halved the deficit mid way through the second half.

Harrow goalscorer Dernell Wynter breaks to level the tie

Game management, see the match out, the old adages go. Lynn twice came close to extending their lead in the second half, Omotayo guilty of missing a gilt edged chance with a free header - a Duncan Ferguson-esque dispatch could well have sealed the game but he seemed to have six pancakes on his forehead as his tame effort was easily dealt with by the keeper.

The writing was on the wall, as Harrow continued to push and it was the lively Wynter again, who found himself through on goal, rounded the keeper and equalised late on to level proceedings and secure a 2-2 draw.

The game went straight to penalties. Lynn again went ahead, but it simply wasn’t to be today as Harrow turned it around yet again, prevailing 3-2 on spot kicks, cuing jubilant celebrations amongst the players who had made the four hour round trip to Norfolk.

For the neutral this was an extremely entertaining affair but for the vast majority of the 750 spectators it was a disappointing and frustrating afternoon. Despite remaining unbeaten in 90 minutes, Calverhouse will be very disturbed by the manner of this defeat, added to which there now appear to be financial woes off the pitch. Lynn will quickly move their attentions back to the league, when they host Macclesfield Town on Saturday.

In the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division, Heacham FC made the long trip to Woodbridge Town. 1-0 down at the break from a penalty, Heacham were playing well again despite going behind. However, floodlight failure meant the match was abandoned. They host Harleston Town on Saturday, when new manager, Mark Hunter, will be in the dugout.

In Division One of the Anglian Combination League, Dersingham Rovers were surprisingly held to a 2-2 draw at bottom side Brandon Town. Scott Gray and Lewis Curson with the goals. Despite seeing this as two points dropped, the point does move them up to 2nd, although they have played more games than all the teams around them.

Their reserves faired better in an excellent 3-2 CS Morley Cup quarter final win at North Elmham. A brace from Kenzie Tyler and a goal from Alex Burt putting them in the hat for the semi final round draw.

In Division Three of the Norfolk Women & Girls’ League, Dersingham Women earned a fantastic 2-2 draw with runaway leaders, Waveney Ladies Captain, Ann-Marie Harris and Leanne Smith with the goals. After last weekend’s impressive win over North Walsham, Dersingham are fast proving they can mix it with the best and are good enough to compete for honours this season. Manager, Georgie Archer, says, “We have put two good showings in the past two weeks and taken four points from six against the supposedly top two sides. We can build on this.” Dersingham are 3rd.

Heacham FC U18’s managed a creditable 1-1 draw with high flying March Town U18’s last week. They welcome bottom side Whittlesey Athletic U18’s on Thursday evening (7.45pm Kick off).

All Images Ian Burt