Linnets Earn Long-Awaited Home Win Over Poppies

What could have been a pivotal night in the Evo-Stik League South Premier on Thursday night was spoiled when leaders Hereford FC`s re-arranged game at Top Field against Hitchin Town was once again postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

But, although the surface at The Walks wasn`t in great nick, the game between second-placed King`s Lynn Town and old rivals and fellow top fiove contenders Kettering Town did get the referee`s nod of approval and saw Lynn defeat the Poppies 2-1 to move to within three points of the Bulls, who possess two games in hand.

It was goalless at the break in front of 1,147, but within 7 minutes of the restart, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock when Tom Ward brought down Kettering`s loanee striker Matt Stevens in the box and trhe reliable Brett Solkhon duly converted the resulting penalty.

But Lynn were back on level terms within 7 minutes when Michael Gash headed home a Frazer Blake-Tracy cross at the far post.

Gash came close to giving the Linnets the lead shortly afterwards but his powerful effort was cleared off the line by Rhys Hoenes.

The home side did eventually take the lead with 20 minutes remaining when Ryan Fryatt headed a corner past Paul White.

And the Poppies` hopes of getting anything out of the game virtually disappeared in the 81st minute when Kalern Thomas was shown a straight red card for a lunge on Gash.

Incidentally, this was the first time King`s Lynn have beaten Kettering at The Walks in a league game since April 1971!

Source Pitchero Non League