King’s Lynn Town concluded their pre-season preparations with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Spalding United this afternoon.
The Linnets were undone by a Jack Roberts goal in either half as they failed to find the back of the net for the first time this summer.
Lynn failed to capitalise on several chances in the first half but rarely troubled the Southern Central Premier Tulips in the second half.
Speaking after the game, head coach James Rowe said: “First of all, credit to Spalding. They’ve come up and set up well and they’ve won a lot of one v one duels fairly.
“They’ve landed on some second balls that I wasn’t happy with. We tried different things where Joe (Nyahwema) played in a different position just to see what it was like at the top of a box or a diamond.
“We created enough chances to score five, probably because we had quadruple penalty area entries and we didn’t defend it properly in terms of when they came and attacked.
“When we attacked, when we got on the 18-yard box, we weren’t ruthless enough and didn’t take our chances.
“The result is what it is, but when we’ve won games in pre-season, I’ve always said it’s about the performance.
“I’ve learned a lot about individuals and collective shape and collective units today.”
Jack Roberts put the visitors ahead after 13 minutes, thumping home from a narrow angle on the right following a pinpoint pass from Connor Johnson.
Bailey Clements, who went off with an injury later in the game, hit the woodwork, while Joe Nyahwema was denied by visiting goalkeeper Aaron Chapman, who also topped a Gold Omotayo effort over the woodwork after the interval.
The dangerous Roberts got his second late on, sliding the ball past Louis Chadwick to put the game beyond Lynn’s reach.
Despite the defeat, there were still positives for the hosts.
Morgan Williams was excellent on his debut at the Docherty Walks Stadium, while defender Rhys Doherty, 19, displayed a delightful range of passes from the back.
Rowe revealed that Williams, 20, had been on the radar of Championship outfit Charlton over the summer
“I was surprised by Morgan Williams because he went to Charlton and he’s been there for three weeks.
“He was all set to sign, but it’s broken down there and we’ve taken advantage of that.
“He’s had many League Two appearances and in League One and when Wimbledon played at Chelsea, I think he got Man of the Match, so it is a feather in our cap and I think he’s a great signing.”
King’s Lynn Town: Chadwick, Hall-Johnson (Theo Williams 61), Doherty, Dickens (Crane 46), Wilson, Clements (Fleming 61), Morgan Williams, Clunan (Jambert 73), Collins (Forde-Brown 24, Maja 74), Nyahwema, Gyasi (Omotayo 67).
Spalding United: Chapman, Hart, Cashmore (Blythe 89), Moore, Johnson, Bendle, Lawlor, Cybulski (Clifton 74), McCammon (Manische 73), Roberts (Nicholson 85), Ceesay.
Attendance: 577.
