King’s Lynn Town 1 AFC Telford United 1
New King’s Lynn Town owner Joseph Phua watched from the stands as AFC Telford United held his side on the opening day of the new season.
A controversial penalty award saw the Shropshire side hold a half-time lead before Michael Gyasi found the back of the net to earn Lynn a share of the points in the second half.
It was no more than James Rowe’s new-look team deserved for a game that was full of thrills.
Lynn dominated for long periods but were left to rue missed chances in both halves.
Before the game, CEO Bal Srai confirmed in his programme notes that the league had now officially approved the proposed takeover of the club.
Srai said: “To all Linnets supporters, it has been an honour and a privilege to serve as your chief executive officer over the past few months.
“I am pleased to report further positive developments, with the National League recently approving the club’s proposed takeover.
“We are hopeful that completion will follow shortly, but it is subject to final terms being agreed with the DCMS.
“Today marks more than just the start of a new season – it represents the beginning of a new era for King’s Lynn Town Football Club.
“Together with the Blue & Gold Supporters’ Trust, we are committed to building a club rooted in the community and striving for a sustainable future both on and off the pitch.
“This is a time for unity and ambition, and I firmly believe we are taking the necessary steps to move the club forward with renewed purpose and direction.”
Lynn began the afternoon with three starters from last season’s squad – Tom Wilson, Ross Crane and Gold Omotayo – while there was no place for either Jack Lambert or Will Van Lier, who both watched the game from the stands.
Gyasi had the ball in the net after four minutes, only to be denied by the offside flag.
Two minutes later, Gyasi threaded the ball through to Crane, who blazed over from eight yards out.
It remained one-way traffic and in the 16th minute Joe Nyahwema watched his effort come back off the woodwork from 25 yards out.
The hosts were playing some lovely stuff and midway through the half, a quick move involving Gyasi, Morgan Williams and Crane almost resulted in a goal for the latter.
Fleming got the faintest of touches on a long throw from Reece Hall-Johnson, but visiting Alfie Brooks saved comfortably to keep the defender at bay.
The game took a real twist ten minutes before the break when Hall-Johnson was adjudged to have brought down Charlie Williams in the penalty box and Stenson stepped up to score from the spot.
It took a fine save from Chadwick from Stenson to keep it at 1-0 going into the break after a delightful ball across the box from Remi Walker.
Hall-Johnson and Williams delivered excellent crosses from either flank in the early minutes of the second half, but the hosts lacked that cutting edge in the final third.
The equaliser eventually arrived after 59 minutes as Crane played in Gyasi, who used his pace and power to hold off the last defender before applying the finish.
Good work from Gold Omotayo set up another chance for Gyasi, who was a yard over with his effort as the Lynn dominance continued.
The home side should have taken the lead midway through the second half, but Gyasi, who had the option of passing to Omotayo on his right, somehow screwed his effort wide of the target after racing into the box.
It took a brilliant save from Brooks to deny Lynn’s Hall-Johnson a late winner in a match that had everything.
If this evidence is anything to go by, Lynn fans are in for a belter of a campaign.
King’s Lynn Town (3-4-3): Chadwick; Hall-Johnson (T. Williams 89), Clements, Wilson, Fleming; Clunan, Nyahwema, M. Williams, Crane (Forde-Brown 69), Gyasi (Collins 81), Omotayo. Subs not used: Jones, Doherty, Dickens, Marriott.
AFC Telford Utd (4-3-3): Brooks; Harper, Pendley, Cawthorne, Cranston; Leshabela, Rowe, Waker; Hilton (Lawal 57), Stenson (Ilesanmi 77), Williams (George 77). Subs not used: Fletcher, Allen-Hadley, Cook, Armson.
Attendance: 1345.
