King's Lynn 0 Lowestoft Town 1
28th July 2012
THE Linnets proved they don't need money to mix it with the best as they pushed a big-spending Lowestoft side, containing a host of former players, close at The Walks on Saturday.
A goal from ex-Linnet Joe Francis, 18 minutes from time, proved the difference between the two sides but at times it was difficult to tell which side would be the one pushing for Conference football next season.
Linnets boss Gary Setchell, whose side travel to Peterborough Northern Star for their latest friendly tonight, said: "I don't think there was much difference between the two sides at all.
"Our work ethic is different class and every opposition manager is commenting on how hard we're working. We played against a team that are going to be in the Conference set-up this time next year."
Other than his goal, Francis had a relatively quiet game on his old stamping ground, as did Michael Frew, Jack Defty and Sam Gaughran, who turned his back on a return to Lynn after being offered big money by the Trawlerboys in the summer.
Chances were at a premium in a first half where Lynn more than matched their higher-league hosts in the possession stakes.
Scott Mitchell and Andrew Fisk were the best of the Lynn old boys with Frew getting very little change from Jordan Yong, who enjoyed another outstanding game at left-back in Lynn colours.
Francis' close-range finish from an acute angle should have perhaps been doubled by Nathan Stone, whose late miss was on a par with Danny Beaumont, who had fluffed an earlier sitter to fire the Linnets in front when blazing a Jamie Forshaw cross horribly wide from just a few yards out.
Booked: Yong.
Lowestoft: Jessop, Gleeson, Gaughran, Mitchell, Eagle, Frew, Cockrill, Frisk, Francis, Defty, Henderson. Subs used: Stone, Saker, Ainsley, Gomes, Alves.
Goal: Francis (72).
Attendance: 416. Referee: M. McIntyre. Report by permission of the Lynn News