King’s Lynn Town returned home to the Docherty Walks following an emphatic win away at Hereford FC in their previous game. The Linnets made it two wins in a row, as they ran out 2-0 winners.
It was a slow start to the game for both sides; however, the best chance fell to the Linnets in the early stages. Harley Hamilton and Ross Crane combined on the counter, with Hamilton picking out Nwabueze with a powerful, low-driven cross.
Nwabueze struck first time; however, the Linnets' number 19 couldn't connect with the ball properly, making it an easy save for the keeper.
On the half-hour mark, Ross Crane went so close to finding the net. Another breakaway saw Nwabueze find Crane in acres of space. Crane curled his effort towards goal, only to be denied by the outside of the post.
However, five minutes later, Lynn were awarded a penalty after Jesse Nwabueze, who made a charging run up the pitch and into the box, was brought down, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot.
Kwame Thomas stepped up and slotted it home for his third goal in two games, giving the Linnets a well-deserved lead.
The visitors looked to respond after the break and came close as Ethan Moore found himself in front of goal. Moore tried to lift the ball over Hollingshead, only to be denied by a fine stop from the Linnets' number one, as the half ended with the Linnets in front.
The Linnets produced the first chance of the second half, as Harley Hamilton’s strike from the right-hand side of the box produced a fine save from Matt Urwin.
Despite the early effort from Hamilton, it was the visitors who started the second half on top, enjoying a spell of possession in the Linnets' half. However, the King’s Lynn defence held strong in what was another fine defensive display.
The Linnets began to take control once more upon the hour mark, as they went from back to front on a fantastic counter-attack. It was pinball in the Linnets' box before the ball was cleared up the field. Tunnicliffe found Crane, Crane found Nwabueze, but Nwabueze’s effort was brilliantly blocked.
Moments later, the Linnets had another fantastic chance to make it two, as the recycled ball from the counter-attack found Jahmari Lindsay, who was able to deliver a cross that found Ross Crane. Crane struck goalwards, but his effort was deflected into the side netting, in what was a fantastic chance to put the game to bed.
Twenty minutes from time, Lynn had their second after substitute Tom Scott played a delightful, long, looping ball into the path of Ross Crane. Crane was able to touch it down delicately, flick it around the defender and slot the ball into the back of the net.
A fantastic bit of skill from Crane, who gets his first goal since returning from injury, as the Linnets ran out 2-0 winners.
We are back at home this weekend in the Second Round Proper of the FA Trophy, as the Linnets take on Stourbridge.
Thank you, as always, to our supporters. Your support is greatly appreciated.