Woes pile up for troubled Linnets

By Nick Bowler
Sports reporter, BBC Radio Norfolk

King's Lynn suffered three big blows during this week

Can anything else go wrong for King's Lynn? Well, I certainly hope not, otherwise there is a very long, hard season ahead.

In the build-up to Saturday's FA Cup game at Bury Town, it was announced that one of Lynn's directors had left the club, while manager Carl Heggs lost the services of his right-hand man Andy Johnson.

However, the biggest body blow of all was finding out that star striker Gareth Sheldon had received the worst possible news on his injury.

Sheldon, who injured his knee in the recent league game at Guiseley, has visited a specialist and been told that his season is certainly over, and it might even be the end of his career - it is that bad.

With Sheldon the sort of player who can virtually guarantee a side 20 goals a season, you can see his loss is a huge blow to Heggs' plans. But it is Sheldon who deserves the greatest sympathy - he must be absolutely devastated.

Let's just hope he can battle back.

On top of all that, Lynn crashed out of the cup to a side from a league below them in the pyramid.

A promising first-half performance gave way to a poor second half as Bury ran out 2-0 winners, with former Ipswich Town star Gavin Johnson getting the first.

Johnson may be close to his 39th birthday, but he is just the sort of player Lynn need at the moment to add guile and experience and help them through their troubles.

There was no doubt at all as to the stand-out showing in the Ridgeons First Division. Diss Town, leading the way at the top of the table, thumped Whitton United 8-1.

Nick Bowler

Also in cup action were Lowestoft Town, who beat Dereham Town 3-1 at Crown Meadow meaning there are no Norfolk sides left in the competition. Kirkley and Pakefield are through too after winning 2-1 at St Ives Town.

At least there was something to cheer for King's Lynn fans, as the reserves notched a welcome win over Ely City in the Ridgeons Premier, while Wroxham moved up to seventh in the table after a 5-2 victory against Histon at Trafford Park.

There was no doubt at all as to the stand-out showing in the Ridgeons First Division. Diss Town, leading the way at the top of the table, thumped Whitton United 8-1.

The Tangerines have an exciting, attacking side and I would have thought manager Rob Taylor will be looking ahead with confidence - probably more than can be said for Carl Heggs just at the moment.

HearLocal Report with Nick Bowler,Fridays at 1830 BST on BBC Radio Norfolk.