Mark Hearle Stamford 2, King's Lynn Town 1: Kevin Boon and Gary Setchell tasted defeat for the first time on Saturday as King's Lynn Town went down by the odd goal in three in their final pre-season fixture at Stamford.

Mark Hearle

Stamford 2, King's Lynn Town 1

Kevin Boon and Gary Setchell tasted defeat for the first time on Saturday as King's Lynn Town went down by the odd goal in three in their final pre-season fixture at Stamford.

Ex-Linnets striker Tony Battersby gave the home side the lead early on before second half substitute Billy Smith gave Lynn a well deserved equaliser, only for raiding full back Ross Watson to restore the Daniels' advantage two minutes later.

Despite the defeat both Setchell and Boon felt that their team had competed well against a side they expect to be challenging for honours in a league above themselves next season.

“Without a doubt they will be there or thereabouts in their league,” declared Setchell. “However, what I have been very happy about today is the way we have competed with a big, strong physical side.

“Our back four have been magnificent in only allowing them three chances in the entire game. We created at least nine ourselves but we lacked just a little bit of a cutting edge and we have been fully punished for not taking our chances'.

“I think that really we should have won the game today but to be fair to Stamford they were just that half yard sharper than any of the teams we have played so far.”

Boon echoed his partner's feelings, adding: “We have enjoyed a very good pre season and it's gone better really than we could ever have imagined.

“We have brought in a complete new set of players who have amazed us both at the way they have gelled together in such a short space of time.

“I have said all along that results in these type of matches are not important because we are looking at partnerships and all sorts of other things to worry too much about the results.

“Everybody at the club knows that these results will count for nothing and that we will be judged next weekend when we start the league at Long Buckby. That will be judgement day.

“With saying that we are all really looking forward to next Saturday and all of the other challenges that will be lying ahead.”

Battersby's early strike for Stamford would have disappointed Lynn keeper Alex Street, who was beaten far too easily on his near post by the experienced striker's effort. Scott Cubberley spurned a great chance moments later as home stopper Chris Wright saved with his legs. The striker then hit the angle of bar and post with a header and Ross Kelly saw a free kick deflected with Wright scrambling as the linnets continued to ask all the questions.

The second spell saw the customary spate of substitutions and it was one of these, Robbie Harris who should have done much better with only Wright to beat. However his blushes were spared when Smith showed him how it should be done from close range following Jack Defty's lay off. The linnets were well worth the draw but Watson had other ideas when he turned the ball home from a tight angle with more than a hint of offside about it for what turned out to be the winner.

t Stamford: Wright, Watson, King, Sedgemore, Chamberlain, Malone, Roberts, Weston, Battersby, Mowbray, Sheridan. Subs used: Hook, Beeson, Jackson,Toyne.

t King's Lynn: Street, Buhlemann, Alsop, Luke Thurlbourne, McNeil, Plumb,Doherty, Kelly, Jack Defty, Cubberley, Jamie Thurlbourne. Subs used: Smith, Harris, Charlie Defty, Newton, White, Hails.

t Referee: Carl Henry Northampton

t Attendance: 161