LYNN WIN IN LAST FRIENDLY

Valley slipped to a narrow loss at Butlin Road to King's Lynn in their final pre-season friendly.

By Craig Webb.

Photo: Martin Pulley

Substitute Steve Purton fires an effort on goal but Valley couldn't take their chances to clinch a draw.

The Valley again made changes from the defeat against Bedworth with Liam Nicell back at the club following his transfer from Brackley Town, and two triallists making their debuts - Daniel Grainger (ex-Rushden) and Paul Tocco (ex-Corby), with David Staff unavailable due to work commitments.

On a glorious summer afternoon, the visitors known as the Linnets from the Unibond Premier, made the better start enjoying early possession and Andy Johnson tried his luck with a long range shot which didn’t trouble Danny Bell in goal, again standing in for the absent Andy Stevens.

Jason Ramsay had Rugby’s first attack making a strong run, battling for the ball forcing a corner. The resulting long shot from the set piece was comfortably saved by visiting keeper Jason White. Ben Twigger also tried his luck with a shot after 18 minutes but it was way over.

King’s Lynn took the lead just two minutes later, Gareth Sheldon jumping higher than Delroy Gordon to score from a forceful header leaving Bell with no chance.

Rugby though were back in it almost immediately. Josh Thompson made a long run towards the by-line, managed to get a shot towards goal and Ramsay couldn’t miss making sure the ball crossed the line.

This flurry of activity continued when Matt Burley shot a long daisy cutter towards the home goal, without causing Bell any problems.

The third goal in ten minutes though went to the visitors on the half hour mark. A brilliant goal from Callum Lloyd, he ran past several defenders unchallenged before releasing an unstoppable shot into the back of the net from close range.

The goalmouth action didn’t stop there for Lynn when Owen Story saw his shot loop onto the top of net.

The Linnets were getting increasingly dangerous upfront and Bell made a terrific double save from Story as the visitors finished the first half the better side.

The second half saw the introduction of Rugby’s recent signing Allando Davis and he nearly made an instant impact when he went round a defender and his shot hitting the post and another substitute, Steve Purton forcing a corner from a long range shot.

Last season’s leading league scorer, David Kolodynski came on for Grainger and nearly scored from an overhead kick from Davis’s pass after good work from Neil Melvin.

Despite both teams going close in the second half, neither side managed to change the scoreline.

With pre-season now over, all eyes will be on Town’s first League game of the season next weekend at Swindon Supermarine, with Tony Dobson weighing up his options on who to include on his first league teamsheet.

Valley Line-up: Bell; Nicell, Donaghy, Herbert, Gordon; Thompson, Twigger, Grainger, Tocco; Kelly, Ramsay. Subs used: Kolodynski, Davis, Gearing, Purton, Melvin, Castleton. Booked: None. Sent off: None.