King's Lynn 5 Histon 1
1st August 2009
SUMMER signing Jordan Smith enhanced his chances of a first team starting spot following a virtuoso display on Saturday.
Smith scored twice and had a hand in another goal as his pace and power proved too much for Histon in this preseason romp at The Walks. Hotshot Gareth Sheldon also bagged a brace to take his pre-season tally to five goals in four games.
Linnets boss Heggs said: "Eight months ago Jordan was playing Sunday morning football and paying £3 to play, he'd never even played on a Saturday.
"I knew what he was capable of, that's why I took him to Redditch with me and have now brought him here.
"He can play out wide, in the centre of midfield or up front. When I signed him I told the chairman that he was one of four players that I had identified will be sold on for money."
Despite Histon fielding a weakened side, Heggs said: "They still had two first team players playing, four or five trialists who want to be part of a Conference side and a winger who had spent the week having trials at Manchester United.
"We were electrifying at times and I wanted to see another improvement.
"Jordan was tremendous, but so was every other player. "In the 91st minute with us 5-1 up, Joe Magunda has made a slide tackle near the corner flag and that just epitomises my team.
"We've only played four games together but I can see an improvement as every game goes on.
"It's like a cake. You can't put it in the oven and expect it to be ready in a minute, you have to give it time to bake." A rampant Linnets side swept into a 3-0 lead inside the first 15 minutes.
Smith's first goal in Lynn colours arrived in the third minute when he raced onto a long ball from the back and slid the ball over advancing Histon goalkeeper Joe Welch. Lynn doubled their advantage shortly after when impressive winger Phil Green picked out Smith to produce a sublime finish.
Sheldon got in on the act when he converted a Callum Lloyd pass in the 15th minute. The only blotch in a one- sided contest saw Stefan Gainsly score at the second attempt late in the first half after his first effort had been blocked by a despairing dive from Linnets captain Craig McAughtrie.
Lynn continued to run the show after the interval, with youngster Darryl Rose enjoying an impressive 30-minute cameo after replacing Green.
On Rose, Heggs said: "Darryl's got a lot of pace and he
is a raw talent. I always said that youngsters and the local players will be given a chance while I'm at the club."
Before being substituted Green had already added Lynn's fourth and there was
still time for more fine play to set up Sheldon to finish with aplomb.