FA Cup joy for Linnets

The Linnets began brightly with Frew producing a headed cross towards Jack Defty but quick anticipation from keeper Smith foiled the danger.

Frew was again involved moments later as his delightful ball found O'Halloran with Cooke intervening and getting the ball and putting the ball out for a corner. From the resulting flag kick, Notman tried his luck from fully 20 yards which brought an outstanding save from Smith who tipped the ball over his bar for another corner which resulted in a harmless goal kick.

On 18 minutes the opening goal of the contest arrived in favour of a rampant home side. Central defender COOPER began and finished a scintillating move as he played a neat one-two with Jack Defty and hit the big target man's resulting ball back crisply under Smith to bring a packed Walks main stand to its feet.

Little had been seen of the Hucknall front line, but Birch quickly saw to this with a quickfire effort which cleared Marshall's bar. A minute later, loud visiting appeals for a hand ball were waved aside by referee Miller, as Lynn's rearguard held on stubbornly. Frew then got away another shot which was parried away by Smith, the ball in turn falling to Notman who played in Jack Defty but his final shot was weak and a moment later, another Defty header was again easily dealt with when the home man should have done better.

Another hand ball appeal from Hucknall was awarded with a free kick on Lynn's 18-yard line. Birch's drilled attempt was deflected to safety by Jack Defty for a corner with Moore's snapshot from the resulting corner clearing Marshall's bar. On the stroke of half-time, Frew warmed the fingers of Smith from fully 25 yards which the visiting keeper did well to turn away for a corner.

t Half time: King's Lynn 1, Hucknall 0.

The Linnets again began the second half brightly with O'Halloran cutting inside and getting away a shot which was saved by Smith. Frew then dragged shot wide as Lynn looked for the killer second goal. However, Hucknall replied with the visiting Hucknall No 7, Wilson sending in a dangerous corner which was headed to safety by Jack Defty.

The impressive Notman for the Linnets displayed some great individual skill as he sent a 25-yard fizzling shot against the visiting bar which bounced to safety with Smith all at sea. Notman again linked up with O'Halloran who dragged his shot wide when he should have done much better.

A free kick from Legg was confidently dealt with by Marshall as Hucknall continued to search for an equalising goal. However, much of the action was at the other end with Frew being caught offside unluckily on two occasions. Fullback Smith then had a 25-yarder saved as the home pressure continued to mount and a quite brilliant three-man move involving Smith and Notman who found O'Halloran could, and should have resulted in Lynn's second goal.

The pendulum swung again in Lynn's favour with around 14 minutes remaining as Hucknall midfielder Dempsey was shown a second yellow card by referee Miller and left the pitch to a chorus of boos from the home supporters.

A nervy finale ensued but substitute MATT NOLAN calmed them with a cool finish on the 90th minute, Notman's astute pass picking out the tall frontman who produced a cool finish to lob keeper Smith from four yards to send the Walk's faithful delirious.

With the Hucknall defence now at sixes and sevens, Lynn continued to pass their way around them and Nolan was again on hand in the 94th minute to put a real gloss finish on a memorable day for King's Lynn as he produced almost a carbon copy of his second goal with Smith again well beaten.

The huge crowd of 1,371 gave both sides a standing ovation as the end of a thrilling 90 minutes which saw King's Lynn into the draw for the first round proper of the FA Cup for the 17th time and for the first time in nine years.

t Final score: King's Lynn 3, Hucknall Town 0