Tamworth 2 King's Lynn 1
13th October 2007
Ex-Linnets manager Gary Mills was full of praise for his former club after watching his Tamworth side dump them out of the FA Cup on Saturday.
The Walks outfit were the better team for the first hour of Saturday's clash, but injuries and Tamworth's extra fitness proved crucial in the final outcome.
A relieved Mills said: "I was the happiest man to go in 1-1 at the interval.
"Fair play to Lynn, they came at us and gave us plenty to think about.
"They were a very good side and had nothing to lose on the day.
"Joe Francis scored a great goal but I think our little bit of extra strength in depth was decisive and it changed the complexion of the game."
Despite Lynn's 4-1 mid-week humiliation at Halesowen, Linnets boss Keith Webb kept faith with the same starting eleven.
And Lynn looked completely different from that side as they took the game to their Conference North hosts in the opening exchanges.
A smart turn and shot by Francis was gratefully clutched onto by Jose Veiga in the home goal in the 14th minute.
Six minutes later Francis cut in from the right before beating two Tamworth players and firing Lynn into the lead as the hosts conceded their first goal in nearly six hours of football.
A Francis free-kick skimmed off the head of Mark Warren at the back post shortly after, while at the other end Tamworth's first chance of the contest saw Scott Howie tip a Matthew Williams volley over the bar.
Lynn continued to peg Tamworth back with Francis and John Turner the main dangers to The Lambs.
In the 28th minute a Turner cross eluded everyone in the box and flashed across the face of the goal and seconds later a Ben Chapman centre was met by the foot of Michael Frew whose effort crept wide.
Keith Webb's side suffered their first injury blow ten minutes before the break when Charlie Defty was replaced by Greg Crane after sustaining concussion in an aerial challenge with Anthony Robinson, who later also caught Crane with his arm.
Lynn remained largely in control but the turning point of the match came in first half injury time.
Tamworth's Gareth Sheldon out jumped Dean West at the back and Robinson nipped in to equalise under the body of Howie. Ten minutes after the restart West and Turner combined for Francis who sliced wide.
Chances were few and far between in the second period and 20 minutes from time Lynn were forced into another change when Turner limped off, to be replaced by Jack Defty.
Some 60 seconds later Lynn found themselves 2-1 down straight after their own corner when a long goal kick from Veiga found Williams, who in turn passed to Dave Bampton to drill home from just outside the box.
As Lynn surged forward for an equaliser, the gaps started to appear at the back.
Home substitute Luke Edwards twice came close to extending Tamworth’s lead with his second effort being well saved by the legs of Howie.
Although Lynn did force a number of late corners their only opening fell the way of Craig Fleming, whose late pot was comfortably dealt with by Veiga.
So the Lambs take £5,000 prize money for the round.
This was a cruel exit for Lynn who can take great heart from their performance into the remainder of the league season.
Webb said: "There’s nothing to suggest Charlie has a fracture, but we did advise him to get an X-ray.
"I was disappointed to concede just before half-time.
"We knew the rocket they received from their manager gave them more motivation to come out at us.
"We knew it would be tougher, but until they scored we didn’t have many problems.
"I was disappointed that their second goal came right after our corner.
"There should have been a challenge on their keeper, and we should have defended better from the break.
"From then on we started to chase the game, and when that happens you leave yourself exposed a bit."
Defty’s injury, plus other knocks - Ben Chapman (groin), Michael Frew (thigh) and John Turner (calf cramp) - will be monitored at this week’s Tuesday and Thursday training.
Lynn: Howie, West, Chapman, Warren, C. Defty (Crane 71), Camm, Frew, Fleming, Turner (J. Defty 70), Bloomfield (Nolan 63), Francis. Not used: Fisk, Murray.
Referee: J. Adcock (Long Eaton). Attendance: 621.
Report by permission of the Lynn News