WARRINGTON Town opened the new National League North season with a 3-1 defeat away at King’s Lynn Town.
It was a tough start for the Yellows on one of their longest journeys of the year, as they were well beaten by the Linnets, despite Matty McDonald’s goal midway through the second half.
Striker Gold Omotayo headed the hosts in to an early lead, and he added another header shortly after the hour mark after Tom Hughes had put the hosts well in control barely minutes in to the second half.
The afternoon had started relatively brightly for the Yellows in front of around 50 travelling fans who had made the nearly 200 mile trip.
Debutant Joe Rodwell-Grant had an early chance, forcing a smart stop from veteran goalkeeper Paul Jones, as he and Connor Woods looked lively in the opening exchanges.
But by the ninth minute, they were a goal down as the excellent Josh Hmami swung in a teasing corner that Omotayo bundled home, amidst protests for a foul on Yellows ‘keeper Dan Atherton.
After taking the lead, King’s Lynn took control of the game and when Ollie Southern brought down Ross Crane, Atherton was at his best to save Omotayo’s chipped penalty.
Omotayo had another golden chance, released through on goal, only to tread on the ball with just Atherton to beat.
They were well worth their 1-0 half-time lead and the second half continued in the same pattern, Hmami, who was causing the Yellows all sorts of problems roaming around the midfield, curling a shot towards the top corner that was diverted away by Atherton.
King’s Lynn didn’t have to wait long for a second goal, and it came on 49 minutes. Peter Clarke did well to block out Dylan Crowe’s cross, but the ball fell for Hughes who swept a right-foot shot inside the far post.
Hmami forced an excellent stop from Atherton before in the 59th minute, his shot was blocked by Clarke and the loose ball was picked up by Freddie Sass to cross for Omotayo to head home at the back post.
Only a combination of Atherton and post denied Hmami a deserved goal from a free-kick as King’s Lynn threatened to run riot, although the introduction of Gez Sithole helped the Yellows find a foothold.
With 17 minutes to play they got a goal, Sithole chasing down a poor back pass to Jones and forcing an error from the ‘keeper, gifting the ball to McDonald who kept his cool to find the half-empty net from the edge of the box.
For a few minutes, the Yellows pushed, and Connor Woods was denied by the legs of Jones after a strong run through the middle by McDonald.
After resisting the brief Yellows surge, King’s Lynn were able to close out the game with ease and secure their first league win over the Yellows at the third attempt.
King’s Lynn Town: Paul Jones, Kian Ronan, Kyle McFadden, Greg Taylor, Freddie Sass, Josh Hmami (Finley Whiteley 90), Tom Hughes (Bartosz Cybulski 86), Gold Omotayo, Ross Crane (Josh Coulson 90), Dylan Crowe (Josh McCammon 71), Cody Johnson. Unused sub: Patrick Boyes.
Warrington Town: Dan Atherton, Andy White, Evan Gumbs, Jay Harris, Connor Woods, Matty McDonald, Joe Rodwell-Grant (Gez Sithole 63), Bohan Dixon, Josh Miles (Mikey O’Neill 76), Ollie Southern (Murphy Bennett 63), Peter Clarke. Unused subs: Sam Gill, Deacon Smalley.
Goals: Omotayo (9, 59), Hughes (49) / McDonald (73)
Yellow cards: McFadden (45), Hughes (70) / Rodwell-Grant (45), Miles (62), Harris (82)
Attendance: 1,002
