Marriott ready to roll back the years for Linnets

Prolific striker Adam Marriott is ready to roll back the years after completing a sensational return to King’s Lynn Town.Marriott, who was instrumental in Lynn’s meteoric rise through non-league football during his first spell from 2018 to 2021, rejoins the club after scoring 66 goals in 99 appearances.The 34-year-old’s lethal partnership with Michael Gash helped the Linnets climb into the National League, and he’s now looking to recapture that same form.“It’s a bit surreal, really,” said Marriott on his return.“You don’t ever think you’ll come back after a few years away, but it just made sense. I really enjoyed my time here, it was probably the best spell of my career goalscoring-wise, and the dressing room was brilliant too. Hopefully, we can make more memories together.”They were quite high numbers before. I’m not sure how long I’m going to be here, but I’m going to really give it a good go this year and as long as I’m on the pitch, I’ll back myself to score goals. I’ve always done that.”Marriott made an immediate impact during his first stint, claiming the Southern Premier Central League Golden Boot in his debut season with 24 league goals. He followed that up with a brace in the Central Premier Final win over Alvechurch and scored a crucial penalty in the Super Play-Off against Warrington Town, setting the stage for Gash’s iconic winner. His remarkable form continued into the National League North campaign, with Lynn topping the table at Christmas thanks in large part to Marriott’s 21 goals in the first 20 matches.His strike against Gateshead in November 2019 marked his 50th for the club in just 61 games.Marriott departed for Eastleigh in 2021 after being furloughed during the COVID-19 pandemic, before spells at Barnet, Bromley and most recently Boston United. Now back at The Walks, the Suffolk-based forward believes he still has plenty to offer.“I feel fresh. I think I’ve got a couple more good years in me. Last season, I was fit but didn’t get the run of games I wanted. Hopefully, I’ll get that here. I’ve never really relied on pace, I like to find pockets in the box and put chances away. “I’ll score goals at any level. Put me in the Premiership, I’d back myself to score goals as long as I’m on the pitch. You guys know what I can do and I’m sure the fans do, so I can’t wait for it.”Despite his outstanding record in a Lynn shirt, Marriott insists he’s not feeling any extra pressure on his shoulders. “I don’t think about it,” he said.”I expect to score every time I play, that’s just the pressure I put on myself. That’s kind of my job, isn’t it and I’m probably my harshest critic going.”I’ve scored a lot of goals in my career. You can learn from experiences and know you can do it. You’ve got to back yourself at the end of the day.”You can go through goal droughts, strikers can, but luckily when I was here before, I didn’t go more than a couple of games without a goal, so hopefully that continues.” Meanwhile, the Linnets have confirmed the departures of Finlay Barnes, Kian Ronan and Freddie Sass.Barnes made 42 appearances last season, scoring four goals.Sass featured 38 times, and Ronan played 32 games, netting three times.They join the list of summer exits, including Jonny Margetts, Josh McCammon, Tommy Hughes, Greg Taylor, Josh Coulson, Ethan Lack, Sam Walker, and Bailey Marsden.