King's Lynn 3 Stamford 1
28th August 2006
Striker Jack Defty bagged a brace as the Linnets opened
their home account with a welcome win 3-1 over local
rivals Stamford.Defty was on target with an early goal in each half as Tommy Taylor's side extended their unbeaten run to three matches in yesterday's Premier Division derby.
Linnets boss Taylor made four changes from the side which shared the points at Maidenhead on Saturday.
Matt Nolan came in for the suspended Paul Atkins, while Sam McMahon, Luke Kennedy and Matt O'Halloran were recalled at the expense of Shaun Carey, Michael Frew and Fraser Toms respectively
In-form Stamford fielded ex-Lynn players Adam Jones, Martin Matthews and Robbie Harris, in their starting 11, while Mark Angel was on the bench.
nod home
Lynn got off to the perfect start, when after 44 seconds Jack Defty rose above the defence to nod home O'Halloran's dipping centre from the right.
Stamford's opening chance came two minutes later when a move involving both Harris and Jones saw Scott Taylor screw his effort over the bar.
Midway through the half Grant Cooper, who had been denied by a block from Matthews earlier, stung the hands of visiting keeper Ian Pledger with a powerful drive, which the Daniels' shotstopper did well to turn away.
Lynn penalty appeals for a foul on O'Halloran were waved away by the referee before Stamford swiftly broke downfield, and Mark Foster forced Shaun Marshall into his first save of the match.
Another quick breakaway from the visitors nearly resulted in an equaliser in the 28th minute, but Stuart Wilson guided his shot wide of Marshall's right post.
Cooper was the first name to go into the ref's notebook in the 35th minute after a reckless challenge on Harris, and O'Halloran followed him soon after for dissent.
Lynn's inability to deal with set-pieces resulted in Stamford levelling 11 minutes before the break when Marshall tipped Scott Musgrove's corner on to the head of Robbie Greetham, who was standing on the Lynn goal line.
blocked
The Walks outfit responded, with a Mark Warren volley from just inside the area being blocked by Matthews before Musgrove nervously hacked the loose ball clear for a corner.
Musgrove's drive flashed wide of the Lynn target as an even first period drew to a close.
Lynn's second goal arrived in the 51st minute when Dean West's pass found Nolan inside the box, and the striker laid the ball into the path of Warren, who curled home his first-ever goal for the club.
A minute later O'Halloran's long ball was brilliantly lobbed over the keeper by Defty for his second goal of the afternoon.
Defty was denied his hat-trick by a top class save by Pledger in the 66th minute.
The visitors had Pledger to thank less than a minute later when he brilliantly kept out O'Halloran's header from close-range.
Stamford introduced Angel, and the wide man tested Marshall to the full with his brilliance from a free-kick midway through the second period.
Lynn replaced two-goal hero Jack Defty with Frew, and Carey came on for Sam McMahon as Lynn looked to close the game out.
Frew and Greetham tangled when the home striker was through on goal, and the substitute was unlucky to be penalised for a foul when the free-kick could have easily gone in his favour.
Three minutes before the end Angel was the fourth player to be booked, much to the delight of the Lynn faithful, and seconds later Greetham joined him in the book after a crude challenge.
A yellow card for Jones in injury time completed the afternoon.
Lynn: Marshall, West, Smith, Warren, Camm, Cooper, J. Defty (Frew 70), McMahon (Carey 71), Nolan, Kennedy (Toms 80), O'Halloran. Not used: Fell, C. Defty. Goal: J. Defty 1min, 52; Warren 51.
Booked: Cooper, O'Halloran.
Stamford: Pledger, Jones, Greetham, Bowater, Matthews, Oswin (Marshall 68), Foster, Wilson (Angel 59), Taylor, Harris (Holmes 59), Musgrove. Subs: Feetham, O'Dea. Goal: Greetham 34.
Booked: Musgrove 60, Angel 83, Greetham 85, Jones 90.
Referee: W. McIntosh (Norfolk). Att: 878. MoM: Jack Defty.