HUGHES LOOKING TO LIFT HIS NEW LINNETS

YOU could be forgiven for thinking there might be a few nerves for interim boss Mark Hughes as he leads King’s Lynn Town into their home semi-final at home to Kidderminster Harriers this afternoon. Hughes has overseen five successive wins since stepping into the dugout following the departure of former manager Tommy Widdrington to Aldershot last month.

But there isn’t anything of the sort as the 39-yearold looks to guide the club back to the National League at the first attempt. “We’ve got such a talented group here – it’s an absolute joy to watch them train,” Hughes said. “We’ve got players back and the competition for places has given me a real headache, but it’s a nice one to have.

“We know Kidderminster are fast starters and they will have a lot of support, but so will we and it’s about what we do. “Last week it was a different pressure on us as we were relying on another result. This week, it’s all about us.

“We’re asking our bigtime players to turn up and I’m sure they will. My last message to them on Sunday will be to make sure that they have one game left after today.” Lynn’s boss has more than steadied the ship since stepping into the breach at The Walks and, crucially, he also has experience of reaching the play-offs as a player. “I’ve experienced the play-offs before when

I was at Eastleigh and Cheshunt,” Hughes added. “At the end of the day it’s the players who do it on the pitch and I wish I was playing on Sunday rather than managing. “We’ve got so many individuals who know about the play-offs and who have done it before and we’ve been sharing those stories and experiences this week.”