Leyton 1 King's Lynn 2
4th November 2006
Tommy Taylor's farewell to Lynn FC was a winning one, guiding the side to
their seventh straight win (five taking place in cups).It was an apt end to Taylor's Walks career, as just down the road he had started his career at Leyton Orient.
Taylor, who has joined near-neighbours Peterborough (see back page), leaves the club in an enviable position, topping the Southern League and reaching the FA Cup first round proper.
It was also the 150th game for Lynn's Mr Reliable, Mark Camm.
Midfielder Camm said: "The gaffer only told me 20 minutes before kick-off. In one way you're surprised, and in another aspect you're not.
"I'm not really surprised, with the games being played in recent seasons. I've only missed about seven while being at the club.
"The last season, or the season before last, I went through without missing a game.
"A groin injury is the only one I've really had – I've been playing with a bit of pain in the last few weeks.
"I got it in pre-season last year and missed a few games. It's come back recently, and I missed the Tring game.
"I was told by the physio here there's a lot of scar tissue still there, which I'm trying to break down."
Camm, who lives in Dromfield, near Sheffield, added: "It's getting better, and it's more of a niggle. I don't know if it's down to an overstretch, but the warm-ups we do are really good."
On Taylor, he said: "Tommy never said he wasn't going back into the football league.
"This might have been his last opportunity to get back into full-time football.
"It's different for most of the players, they've got a long career ahead. I've been playing regular football for three years and really enjoying it.
"For me, it would take a lot to go back and just be a squad player.
"We'd all heard rumours about the vacant job at Rushden, but nothing about the Peterborough one.
"He told us after the game he was going, and we know he was really choked. It was a bit emotional."
Like the previous round at Worthing, and which also preceded a big FA Cup tie, Lynn did just enough to win.
First half strikes from Michael Frew and Steve Melton sent the Linnets through, earning £2,000.
Taylor had to make changes, Dean West coming in when Adam Smith, who had pulled a stomach muscle, did not make the squad. Charlie Defty went to left-back. Melton replaced Alex Notman (foot injury).
Frew sent Lynn off to a dream start in the third minute, being sent clear by a Matt Nolan through-ball and slotting the ball into the net.
Frew and strike partner Nolan also combined on the edge of the penalty area to set up Melton to simply put away his first goal for the club in his first start and his second appearance for The Walks outfit on 40 minutes.
In between the two goals, both keepers made good saves.
Lynn's custodian Shaun Marshall dived to his right on two occasions to keep out Williams and Thomas and maintain a 1-0 lead.
At the other end, midway through the half home sticksman Charlie Hasler pushed over the bar a first-time volley from Matt O'Halloran.
The East Londoners were quite physical in the opening period, and Honeyball was lucky to escape without a card for heavy challenges on Nolan and Frew, which both required treatment.
Nolan was withdrawn at half-time in favour of Jack Defty, and the team understandably went down a gear after the break as Leyton enjoyed more possession.
Apart from their goal and a tremendous right-foot effort from Fazakerley, which hit the base of the post, Leyton did not cause many concerns.
They got a consolation 13 minutes from time when Vas Soteriu sent in a good cross and Fazakerley was left with an easy side-foot home from close range.
Despite this, Lynn were comfortable and could have increased their lead. Jack Defty brought off two saves (one a header, one a shot) from Hasler, and O'Halloran flashed two late efforts past the post.
The Walks outfit thus reached the final qualifying round, where the Conference South and North sides come in.
They also stretched their unbeaten run to 15 matches – remarkable, since nine of them have been away, including some tricky cup ties.
Leyton: Hasler, Thanda, Soteriu, Palmer, Honeyball (Gracey 51), Alderton, Fazakerley (Brady 81), Bajada, Williams, Thomas, Parkyn. Subs not used: Umeh, Lee, Morgan.
Lynn: Marshall, West, C. Defty, Warren, Cooper, Camm, Frew (Norris 66), McMahon, Nolan (J. Defty 45), Melton, O'Halloran. Not used: Higgs. Referee: Mr M. Bampton (Suffolk). Attendance: 154.
MoM: Sam McMahon.