King's Lynn v Rye United match report
Yesterday King's Lynn took on Rye United in the quarter finals of the FA Vase in front of a crowd of 1,657. Most of the crowd were expecting a one sided affair, after all Lynn hadn't lost since the first week of October and their opponents for prmotion from the United Counties League, the loaded St. Neot's had lost in the last round at the walks. The Norfolk press also pointed out that Rye could easily be struck by stage fight in front of a crowd that was considerably larger in number than what they were used to.
The game started off though with both teams looking nervous. There were also signs of tempers breaking as a couple of early encounters between Lynn forward, Jack Defty and Rye defender Shaun Loft. In fact there had already been a bit of a brawl when the two had tousled on 8 minutes, but on 15 minutes Loft was sent off for elbowing Defty.
This should have given Lynn even more of an upper hand, however it was Rye who looked more settled and organised and on 34 minutes Duncan McArthur floated a ball deftly into the goal after the forward line had made the Lynn defence look a little foolish. After this Lynn took control and had numerous chances to equalise, but it wasn't until the last minute of the half that Steven Spriggs put away Defty's lay off. That said Rye still looked organised at the back and it seemed like Lynn would have to throw on another forward to capitalise on their one man advantage.
Lynn boss Gary Setchell must have thought the same as in the second half Dubi Ogbanna was brought on for defender Kieran Doherty. Unfortunately, for Lynn Rye still remained resolute at the back and Ogbanna apart from wasting numerous chances could have also been accused of being guilty of being greedy and shooting when there were players in better positions. For most of the half though it looked like Lynn would force the winner, however Rye as well as defending resolutely had a couple of attacks that could have hit Lynn on the break. Luckily for Lynn ex-Ely player Jamie Allsop attoned for the earlier slip up that had led to the Rye goal with some fine tackling. Disaster was to strike again for Rye though as with a couple of minutes left on the clock Danny Ellis was sent off for the visitors after a late tackle on Luke Thurlbourne that led to a bit more brawling.
The game then went to extra time in what had already been an epic battle which neither side really deserved to lose, but with a two man advantage and a big partisan crowd the money was always going to be on the Linnets. King's Lynn also brought on another striker with Robbie Harris taking the place of Daniel Bullerman. To be honest, although I can hardly be seen as an expert on the Lynn squad and I do have the benefit of hindsight I don't know why he hadn't been introduced before. He had looked sharp in the pre-match kick around and had seemed a lot more accurate in front of goal. He proved to be: scoring goals on 97 and 113 minutes. It could have and should have been a lot more if the other forwards had brought their scoring boots, but I dounbt anyone at King's Lynn was complaining.
They might want to think about starting Harris next time out and to make the rumours that they want to sign Matt Blake from Thetford come true if they are to win the league / vase double. But, for now they are one step closer to Wembley.
The game started off though with both teams looking nervous. There were also signs of tempers breaking as a couple of early encounters between Lynn forward, Jack Defty and Rye defender Shaun Loft. In fact there had already been a bit of a brawl when the two had tousled on 8 minutes, but on 15 minutes Loft was sent off for elbowing Defty.
This should have given Lynn even more of an upper hand, however it was Rye who looked more settled and organised and on 34 minutes Duncan McArthur floated a ball deftly into the goal after the forward line had made the Lynn defence look a little foolish. After this Lynn took control and had numerous chances to equalise, but it wasn't until the last minute of the half that Steven Spriggs put away Defty's lay off. That said Rye still looked organised at the back and it seemed like Lynn would have to throw on another forward to capitalise on their one man advantage.
Lynn boss Gary Setchell must have thought the same as in the second half Dubi Ogbanna was brought on for defender Kieran Doherty. Unfortunately, for Lynn Rye still remained resolute at the back and Ogbanna apart from wasting numerous chances could have also been accused of being guilty of being greedy and shooting when there were players in better positions. For most of the half though it looked like Lynn would force the winner, however Rye as well as defending resolutely had a couple of attacks that could have hit Lynn on the break. Luckily for Lynn ex-Ely player Jamie Allsop attoned for the earlier slip up that had led to the Rye goal with some fine tackling. Disaster was to strike again for Rye though as with a couple of minutes left on the clock Danny Ellis was sent off for the visitors after a late tackle on Luke Thurlbourne that led to a bit more brawling.
The game then went to extra time in what had already been an epic battle which neither side really deserved to lose, but with a two man advantage and a big partisan crowd the money was always going to be on the Linnets. King's Lynn also brought on another striker with Robbie Harris taking the place of Daniel Bullerman. To be honest, although I can hardly be seen as an expert on the Lynn squad and I do have the benefit of hindsight I don't know why he hadn't been introduced before. He had looked sharp in the pre-match kick around and had seemed a lot more accurate in front of goal. He proved to be: scoring goals on 97 and 113 minutes. It could have and should have been a lot more if the other forwards had brought their scoring boots, but I dounbt anyone at King's Lynn was complaining.
They might want to think about starting Harris next time out and to make the rumours that they want to sign Matt Blake from Thetford come true if they are to win the league / vase double. But, for now they are one step closer to Wembley.
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