King's Lynn 4 Irchester 1
19th February 2011
TEENAGER Adam Reeve netted a brace on his first team bow as the Linnets booked a last-eight tie against, you've guessed it, St Neots, following their third cup win in the space of a week.
Reeve belied his tender years with a magnificent display on the left, while there were a number of other commanding performances from the club's crop of promising youngsters.
Sixteen-year-old Lewis Sturman more than held his own at right-back and James Spittlehouse didn't look out of place alongside the experienced Martin McNeil in the heart of the Town defence.
Patrick Bexfield, one of only a handful of first-teamers on show, also registered a double as a much-changed Linnets line-up side saw off their opponents with ease.
Joint Linnets boss Gary Setchell said: "It was a tremendous day for the football club and I'm especially pleased for Neil Fryatt and Jonathan Hawes.
"This is a great testament to all of the hard work that they have put into the reserve team and today it was hats off to them and the reserve team players who came in and performed magnificently.
"Before today we'd already had a number of youngsters feature for the first team and I will have no worries about playing them again in the next round at St Neots."
On Reeve's efforts, Setchell said: 'Adam has come in and performed well and he gives us something a little bit different. We all know about the qualities of Jamie Thurlbourne, but if he is ever out Adam looks like a ready-made replacement.
"He is a good outlet to have on the left and as far as I'm concerned if they are good enough they are old enough."
The Linnets controlled matters from the start and it was Robbie Harris and Tom Barnes who combined to set up Reeve to send a stunning volley past Irchester goalkeeper Tom Cross.
Bexfield, deputising for the sidelined Steve Spriggs on the right, crashed home a spectacular second from all of 25 yards following a determined run.
The impressive Bexfield then picked out Harris who played in Reeve for a cool finish.
Irchester's Gary Stohrer poked home a consolation before Bexfield had the final word with his second of a rewarding afternoon.
King's Lynn Town: Hails, Sturman, Alsop (Duarte), Doherty, McNeil, Spittlehouse, Bexfield, White (Rawlings), Barnes (Jamie Thurlbourne), Harris, Reeve
Irchester United: Cross, Maud, Mills, Hackett, Julian, Paul Caswell, Foster, Forbes, Goodhall, Chris Caswell, Chong (Stohrer). Unused sub: Hamblin.
Referee: Mr P King, Spalding. Att: 408. MoM: Adam Reeve.