Linnets kick off new season in style

King’s Lynn Town 3 Warrington 1King’s Lynn Town got their National League North season off to the best possible start with a convincing opening-day victory over Warrington.Gold Omotayo (2) and Tommy Hughes put Lynn 3-0 in front inside the hour before Matthew McDonald netted a consolation for the Yellows.It could have been a lot more emphatic and Lynn could also afford the luxury of a missed penalty from Omotayo as they dominated long periods of the game at the Walks.Manager Adam Lakeland’s first team selection saw Cody Johnson – signed on loan from Stockport County on Tuesday – given his debut in midfield as six of Lynn’s summer arrivals were handed starting berths.Defender Kian Ronan got the nod over Dylan Crowe at full-back, although the latter was handed a start on the left side of midfield.There was no place in Lynn’s starting XI for midfielder Josh McCammon, who had to be content with a spot on the bench. Goalkeeper Paul Jones was called into action with less than two minutes on the clock as he saved well from Joe Rodwell-Grant. It took Lynn a few minutes to find their feet and they almost took the lead when Dylan Crowe picked out Omotayo before Ross Crane’s effort took a deflection and went behind for a corner.But they were up and running from the resulting set piece as Omotayo headed home Lynn’s opening goal of the campaign.Hmami almost doubled Lynn’s advantage five minutes later as he drilled wide of the target after Tommy Hughes had won the ball with a crunching tackle in midfield. The hosts were awarded a penalty in the 25th minute after the lively Crane was bundled over in the box by Oliver Southern.But Omotayo stepped up to his spot-kick saved by the right leg of visiting goalkeeper Daniel Atherton. The big frontman was sent clear by Hughes two minutes later but got the ball caught up in his feet before he was able to pull the trigger.Lynn didn’t have things all of their way and they were thankful for some brilliant blocks from Kyle Callan-McFadden to keep their lead intact going into the break. The fingertips of Atherton denied Lynn a second a minute after the restart as he turned Hmam’s curling effort behind for a corner.But they didn’t have to wait too much longer before adding their second as Hmami combined well with Crowe, who crossed for Hughes to net from eight yards out.Hmami was involved in everything good for the hosts and another long-range effort whistled inches wide of the target.Lynn made sure of the three points close to the hour mark as Crane mesmerised the Warrington defence to cross for Omotayo to power home his second of the game. There was still time for Hmami’s free-kick to come back off the post and it was tough on the energetic midfielder who deserved a goal for his efforts.Lynn lost their discipline for a few minutes and they were made to pay the price when Matthew McDonald chipped Jones to pull a goal back 17 minutes from time.King’s Lynn Town (4-1-4-1): Jones; Ronan, McFadden, Taylor, Sass; Johnson; Crowe (McCammon 71), Crane (Coulson 90), Hughes (Cybulski 86), Hmami (Whiteley 90+5); Omotayo.Goals: Omotayo 9 and 59; Hughes 49.Warrington (4-2-3-1): Atherton; Southern, Gumbs, Clarke, Southern (Bennett 62); Harris, Dixon; Woods, McDonald, Miles (O’Neill 76); Rodwell-Grant (Sithole 62).Attendance: 1,002.