Taylor defends Nolan decision

King's Lynn boss Tommy Taylor will play hard ball again with his British Gas Business Southern League, Premier Division promotion chasers at Maidenhead today.

Taylor culled five outfield players at Hitchin in midweek after Lynn's below par opening-day defeat against Halesowen.

Jack Defty's composed finish secured the points as fans' favourite Matt Nolan looked on from the substitutes' bench.

Taylor's tough love is likely to continue at last season's relegated Nationwide South newcomers.

"No - it wasn't a tough decision to drop Matt," insisted Taylor. "The lad would agree he hasn't been at the races in pre-season. It was a tougher decision to leave out Paul Atkins. I'm hoping Matt will react in a positive way because we all know what he can offer.

"I didn't say anything to the boys I left out. I just went into the changing room before kick-off at Hitchin, told them the team, and walked out again. We did our talking on the pitch and the boys gave me the response I wanted."

Taylor praised matchwinner Defty after he notched his 50th goal for the club.

"I was actually going to fetch big Jack off," admitted Taylor. "With so many games in such a short space of time you have to bear that in mind.

"He was getting a bit of stick as well, but it was the perfect answer. Supporters have a right to say what they want to say - especially after that first game you couldn't blame them.

"More than anything the result gives us something to build on now. We showed a massive improvement, got the ball on the floor and played some nice, one-touch stuff. We just need to be a bit sharper when we get up near the penalty box - the quality of delivery must be better."

Taylor is confident Frazer Toms could prove to be a profitable supply line after an encouraging full debut before cramp set in.

"I thought he was magnificent," said Taylor. "He can be a good outlet for us if we get the ball to him and get the full-back isolated. Right across the midfield I felt we needed to change things. Cammy gives us some extra legs in that part of the field and we were still pushing forward right until the end."

Taylor's new-look defensive unit - featuring new skipper Mark Warren alongside Grant Cooper in front of composed keeper Shaun Marshall - also began life with a clean sheet.

"They did all right," he said. "The lad Dillon ran off their shoulders a couple of times, but he was going into the channels rather than down the middle. Shaun dealt with everything that came his way.

"Hitchin might've felt a little disappointed to lose the game, but we scored twice - in my opinion there was nothing wrong with our disallowed goal."

Magpies' counterpart Carl Taylor refuses to abandon Maidenhead's footballing principles despite a winless start to the new campaign.

"Most of the teams in this league play not to get beaten," he said.

"They lump it forward and see where it goes from there. At least we know what we've got to deal with now. It's frustrating for me and the players but we have to learn."

King's Lynn (from): Marshall, West, Smith, Hyde, C Defty, Brooks, Warren, Cooper, Camm, McMahon, Toms, Kennedy, J Defty, Carey, Nolan, Atkins, Frew, O'Halloran.