2022-23 FA Cup: Second Round – King’s Lynn Town vs Stevenage

National League North’s King’s Lynn Town welcome League Two’s Stevenage to The Walks in Second Round of 2022-23 FA Cup. 

King’s Lynn are looking to qualify for the Third Round for the first time in their history, whilst Stevenage are looking to advance beyond this stage for only the second time in five seasons.

 

Team News

Ben Stephens is a doubt for King’s Lynn after he suffered a knock in their FA Trophy exit against Hemel Hempstead.

Theo Widdrington (hamstring) is another doubt for selection.

Stevenage could welcome Danny Rose back into contention after he missed Tuesday’s Papa John’s Trophy win over Arsenal Under-21s, due to a head injury suffered at Grimsby last weekend.

Manager, Steve Evans meanwhile could rotate his squad with goalkeeper, Taye Ashby-Hammond amongst those expected to be recalled to the starting eleven.

 

Stat Attack

• This is King’s Lynn Town’s first-ever meeting against Stevenage in all competitions.
• Stevenage are visiting King’s Lynn for the first time in all competitions.
• King’s Lynn have kept just two clean sheets in their five FA Cup matches this season (W4, D1).
• Stevenage have won all three of their away matches across all cup competitions this season (W3).
• Gold Omotayo has scored four of King’s Lynn Town’s 14 goals in the FA Cup this season.

 

Prediction

Although King’s Lynn might be of Non-League level, these Linnets can’t be written off given that they’ve failed to score just once in all competitions this season (excluding pre-season), so I do expect them to come out in front of an electric home crowd and give it everything.

Their defence though can often be leaky with just two clean sheets in their last eight games, of which one of those clean sheets came at Doncaster Rovers in the First Round which should offer them belief if they dig in at the back.

Stevenage though have scored in each of their last 15 matches in all competitions but have been inconsistent in defence themselves recently, yet are still in the hunt for automatic promotion such is their strong form that they remain in all domestic competitions still.

This clash therefore should hopefully have goals but the difference in squad quality could well be key come full-time.

Prediction: King’s Lynn Town 1-2 Stevenage

Result: King’s Lynn Town 0-3 Stevenage