King's Lynn 0 Boston United 0
17th July 2004
THE Linnets made a solid start to their pre-season on Saturday (17), holding
their Coca-Cola League Two near-neighbours.The home side had the best two chances in the second half when sub Robbie Harris brought off two excellent saves from Nathan Abbey, the brother of Norwich City striker Zema.
It was the chance for fans to see Tony Battersby and keeper Aaron Osborne for the first time and Danny Bloomfield making a return to the club. Osborne did well when he played in the second half, but the other two had little chance to impress in a tight game.
Former Linnet David Staff – on trial with the Pilgrims – had a quiet game, only going on a couple of trademark runs, but then it was not a day for the forwards.
Another ex-Walks favourite, Paul Raynor, now coach at Boston, even made a late appearance after making some familiar bellows from the sidelines.
Joint manager Darren Bloodworth said he was especially pleased to keep a clean sheet, adding: "Our defence proved we can cope without Glen Fuff. It was a major test for young Danny Hammond against Jason Lee (ex-Nottingham Forest striker).
"Their keeper worked harder than ours. Our fitness was a little bit further on than I thought. There were no frills, we acquitted ourselves well especially without our two major transfer targets.
"Mark Angel, the lad we want in to give us width, we said we weren't going to risk his tight hamstring."
Joint boss Kevin Boon said one of the new boys, Tony Battersby, will be a big hit, and added: "I thought in the second half we played the better football. The sight of Steve Evans in the 89th minute retrieving the ball for a throw showed how worried they were.
"Lee Stevenson did exceptionally well first half." Lynn: Wilson, Camm, Setchell, Burrows, Hammond, Holmes, J. Defty, Fishlock, Battersby, Bloomfield, Stevenson. Subs: Osborne, Jones, Blake, Bacon, Harris, C. Defty.
Boston: Abbey, Beavers, Strong, Melton, Greaves, Ellander, Bernard, Thomas, Lee, Staff, Holland. Subs: Noble, Rusk, McCann, Thompson, O'Haronan, Raynor, Norris. Referee: Jim Hubbard (Leicester). Att: 742.