King's Lynn 3 Needham Market 2
24th July 2010
FOR a young man who was playing for Lynn Docklands in the North West Norfolk League two years ago, defender Kyle Plumb is remarkably relaxed about playing a pivotal role in King's Lynn Town's UCL promotion challenge this season.
The Lynn born-and-bred youngster is loving every minute of the King's Lynn Town experience after making the summer switch from Ridgeons League minnows Swaffham.
Plumb, brought in for the injured Martin McNeil at the weekend, marked his full debut for the Linnets by notching the all-important winner against Needham Market during the 3-2 friendly success at The Walks on Saturday.
The six foot three-inch centre half told the Lynn News: "It's unbelievable to think that I've gone from playing for Lynn Docklands in the North West Norfolk League to Lynn first team in such a short space of time.
"I'm enjoying everything that has come with the move. Lynn has always been my home town club and it was a big challenge for me, but one I was ready for.
"When I got told I was going to start on Saturday I was quite nervous, but my nerves disappeared as the game wore on. It was great to score the winner on my full debut.
"All I want to do is play football and make sure I'm ready if my chance comes along. I want to make it a hard choice for Gary (Setchell) and Kevin (Boon) not to pick me in the team."
Plumb is one of a new generation of youngsters that manager Setchell believes will carry Town's hopes for many years to come.
Setchell said: "Kyle is very raw, but he has all of the attributes of being a good defender.
"He fitted into Kevin and my plans of building a young side at the club.
"He answered a lot of questions for me on Saturday. I thought he was superb defensively and scored the winner at the other end of the pitch. He put down a real marker for himself.
"If he continues to progress, there's no reason why Kyle can't become a first choice centre half at the club."
Plumb's performance was one of a number of positive pointers for the Linnets, who came from a goal down at half-time to secure victory against their higher-league visitors.
Dan Buhlemann also had a tremendous game in the Town defence, while the midfield quartet of Luke and Jamie Thurlbourne, Ross Kelly and Kieran Doherty made Needham look second best for long periods of the contest.
It was midfielder Luke Thurlbourne who cancelled out Nathan Stone's opener from an acute angle shortly after the restart.
Jack Defty fired Lynn in front shortly after before Stone raced clear to notch his second.
Plumb then pounced to despatch Jamie Thurlbourne's pinpoint near-post corner seven minutes from time.
Needham Market (starting XI): Croll, Pemberton, Wake, Parker, Boyland, R. Barber, Wilby, B. Barber, N. Stone, Bethall, Evans. Subs: Dennis, Wilkinson, Sparkes, Williams. Goals: N. Stone (36, 74).
Referee: N. Hare (Peterborough). Report by permission of the Lynn News