Sam Plummer provides a greater in-sight into this weekend’s visitors to the Technique Stadium in King’s Lynn Town.
Chesterfield will be looking to set the record straight by returning to winning ways in the opening fixture of 2022 as they welcome relegation-threatened King’s Lynn to North Derbyshire.
Vanarama National League Record:
| Team | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goal Against | Points |
| King’s Lynn Town FC | 3 | 2 | 14 | 17 | 40 | 11 |
The Linnets are currently serving their second ever campaign in the Vanarama National League, with much of the club’s history being played in the regional leagues within Norfolk.
Back-to-back promotions under recently sacked manager Ian Culverhouse drove the club up the English divisions and into the fifth tier. The club’s first campaign at this level resulted in a 21st placed finish, with only Barnet finishing below them in the standings. In what was a learning curve for all involved with the West Norfolk club, King’s Lynn conceded 98 goals, which was the highest of any side in the league.
Turning the attention to this season and whilst the club continues to concede large amounts of goals, problems have also presented themselves in front of goal. In the first 19 games played this season, the Linnets have scored just 17 goals, a record that is level with bottom-placed Dover Athletic and is only worsened by Southend United (16).
The club’s struggles in front of goal comes at the same time as the departure of club legend Michael Gash. The 35-year-old left the club in the summer to join Peterborough Sport, but prior to leaving, the striker played a crucial role for King’s Lynn, where he contributed with seven goals and was last season’s top goalscorer. Additionally, big money departure Sonny Carey left West Norfolk for Championship outfit Blackpool. A creative and technically gifted attacking midfielder who netted twice against the Spireites last season, he has left a gaping hole in the attack that the club has failed to replace.
This season so far: the comparison
| Chesterfield FC | Club | King’s Lynn Town FC |
| 1st | Table Position | 21st |
| 1.95 | Goals per Game | 0.89 |
| 0.84 | Goals Conceded per Game | 2.11 |
| 10 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
Whilst the statistics fail to favour King’s Lynn this season, the club have narrowly suffered defeat by a one-goal margin on eight occasions this season. A run that also involves six 1-0 losses.
Due to the underwhelming start to the campaign, club legend Culverhouse was replaced at the helm by former Eastbourne Borough manager Tommy Widdrington. Since entering the fray, Widdrington has guided the club to two victories from his opening three fixtures. Firstly, attacker Joshua Barrett entertained the home fans with a brace to inspire King’s Lynn to a 2-1 win over Dover, before winning by the same margin against lower league Nantwich Town in the Buildbase FA Trophy.
Despite Barrett putting in a stellar performance for the new manager, goals for the club’s attacking outlets have been hard to come by. Barrett’s brace against Dover means that he ties with striker Malachi Linton for the most goals for a striker this season (two goals); however, it is club captain and defensive midfielder Michael Clunan who leads the charge in front of goal (three goals). Also on two goals for the campaign is the fellow defensive midfielder Ethan Coleman and full-back Ross Barrows.
The only other attacking players to have scored for King’s Lynn are Jayden Davis, who has returned to his parent club after a loan spell from Millwall FC; and Junior Morias, who recently made a permanent transfer to fellow National League side Dagenham & Redbridge.
| Chesterfield FC | Results | King’s Lynn Town FC | Results |
| FC Halifax Town (H) | 1-1 (D) | Nantwich Town (H) FA Trophy Third Round | 2-1 (W) |
| Grimsby Town (A) | 0-1 (W) | FC Halifax Town (A) | 2-0 (L) |
| Salford City FC (A) FA Cup Second Round | 0-2 (W) | Dover Athletic (H) | 2-1 (W) |
| Altrincham FC (H) | 2-2 (D) | Aldershot Town (H) | 0-1 (L) |
| Solihull Moors (A) | 0-2 (W) | Stockport County (A) | 5-0 (L) |
In the build-up to this New Year’s Day encounter, King’s Lynn have had their previous two games cancelled due to either COVID or to the conditions of the pitch at The Walks. This has given Widdrington and his men an extra period of time to prepare for this match against the leaders in the National League.
These two last faced o Matchday each other on Matchday Two of the National League schedule, where the Spireites managed to secure the upper hand, thanks to a brace from talisman Kabongo Tshimanga. After initially scoring from the penalty spot, Tshimanga was in the right place for a poacher’s finish, to ensure that all three points would be returning to Chesterfield.
King’s Lynn currently sit four points behind Southend United, who occupy the final spot outside of the drop zone. As for Chesterfield, three points will further rubber-stamp their place at the top of the table, with goal difference currently keeping them above FC Halifax Town.
