King's Lynn friends reunited as Linnets host Bedford Town in FA Cup
Cries of ‘no Pedro, no party’ could often be heard as Alex Street etched his name in the King’s Lynn Town record books.
Tomorrow, the record-breaking goalkeeper, who made 466 appearances for Lynn between the posts, returns to the club he served for a decade plotting an FA Cup upset with Bedford Town.
In all three promotion campaigns in Norfolk, the shot-stopper played every single game and was an integral part of Lynn’s dramatic climb up the non-league pyramid.
His immense span of appearances and 139 clean sheets for Lynn speaks for itself and you can perhaps forgive him for enjoying a party or two along the way.
Street’s shining, partying moment perhaps came back in 2019 when the Linnets won the Super Play-off – and promotion to the National League with it – at Warrington Town.
Seeing how he’s still just 31-years-old, it’s no wonder he doesn’t mind throwing himself on the dance floor after a big win.
The Bedford Town skipper said: “I’m really looking forward to going back. I’ve got great memories of the club where I almost spent 10 years and I can’t fault them.
“I was gutted that I didn’t get more of a chance to play in the National League, but that’s football. I know it didn’t end on the best of terms but they are still a club close to my heart.
“It’s a big game for us and a free hit so to speak but we’ll be going there trying to get a result.
“It’s probably the toughest draw we could have got. We haven’t had the greatest of starts and Lynn have been flying, but it’s the FA Cup and anything can happen on the day.”
Nothing would give Street greater pleasure than getting one over his old club – but first of all he has to find a way to stop the likes of Josh Barrett, Jordan Ponticelli and Theo Widdrington from adding to their growing goal-of-the-season collection.
“I think I’d better stay on my line,” he quipped referring to Widdrington’s strike against Chester City and Barrett’s humdinger at Peterborough Sports.
“They’ve got quality all over the pitch. Normally a team score one brilliant goal a season, but they’ve scored three or four contenders already.”
As the Linnets hit the cup trail, Street is just one of a flock of ex-Linnets, now Eagles, who will be back on familiar ground for the second qualifying round tie.
Bedford are managed by ex-Lynn boss and player Gary Setchell, and assisted by former player Darren Edey while also in their squad are Sam Warburton, Charley Sanders and Danny Setchell, all of whom donned a Linnets shirt.
Lynn boss Tommy Widdrington will give the Eagles – Southern League Division One Central Champions last season – the utmost respect.
“It’s my job to make sure we are as best prepared as we can be for Gary and his guys coming back to The Walks on Saturday,” he said.
“I’m expecting a tough game. Gary was very successful here and I’m sure he’s still very well liked by the vast majority of people in the building so from that point of view the gloves will be on until full-time and I’m sure he’ll come and have a beer with us afterwards.”
Winners of tomorrow’s second round qualifying tie will receive £3,375 while the losers will pick up £1,125.