Published:
March 22, 2022, 10:12 p.m.
King’s Lynn Town’s survival hopes suffered another bashing in front of her own fans.
The leaders of National League Stockport had cut the game in half as they continued their relentless return to the Football League.
Lynn, meanwhile, has to regroup and try to find a way to beat FC Halifax’s promotion hopes at The Walks on Saturday – what they have to do with defender Aaron Jones, who was marked just after the hour.
The difference between top and bottom of the table was obvious; the contrasts between the teams – not just financially – could not be stronger.
Stockport have won 14 and drawn one of their last 15 games, shooting 40 times and conceding just seven.
In the same period, Lynn won two games, drew four and lost eight, shot 15 and conceded 22.
The visitors’ struggle to leave the National League over promotion is still difficult to negotiate – but perhaps not as difficult as Lynn’s desire to stay on the other end.
Lynn boss Tommy Widdrington made three changes to the team that won 3-0 at Aldershot on Saturday, Josh Barrett, Brett McGavin and Jak Hickman out and Aaron Jones, Olly Scott and Munashe Sundire all in.
Scott Quigley had an early sight for the visitors, but from a difficult angle, a shot went wide.
Lynn responded quickly, Olly Scott forced goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe to concede a corner under pressure from Gold Omotayo.
The early minutes were sometimes uncomfortable for the visitors as Lynn checked her defense and chose to put pink shirts under pressure at every opportunity.
But Stockport’s dangers are clear and obvious, and Sam Minihan’s volley from the right wing forced goalkeeper Paul Jones into a close save.
Lynn suffered a setback in the 15th minute when striker Malachi Linton, who shot twice over the weekend, limped after failing to recover from a previous problem.
In Stockport, the screw turned in the worst way three minutes, Ryan Croasdale volleyed over the area and Elliott Newby applied the finish on the back – a goal filled with pace and skill.
Suddenly, Lynn’s early danger was resolved – and Stockport knew it. With half an hour to go, Newby converted Provider, his corner from the right brilliantly headed by captain Liam Hogan.
Ryan Johnson should have made it three, but shot Croasdale’s cut ball eight yards over the bar.
It was very much a rearguard action for Lynn, even though they finished the half well, Barrett forced the hiccups into a near-post save – but with half the game it was an awfully long way back for the ‘Guests.
Quigley should have put more space between the teams after Barrett lost ball possession, but shot past the far post.
It was Quigley who played a part in the third Stockport goal – he was on target as he twisted his leg with Jones on the edge of the area. Jones saw red – and Paddy Madden shot the free-kick with an unstoppable shot.
Mount Lynn having to climb is steeper than ever.
King’s Lynn Town: P Jones, A Jones, Coulson, Barrows, Denton, Scott (Fernandez 63), Sundire, Hargreaves, Sundire, Omotayo (Kureran-Brown 75), Linton (Barrett 15). Subs not used: McGavin, Bowry.
Stockport: Hinchliffe, Minihan, Kitching, Hogan, Palmer, Madden (Keane 65), Collar (Sarcevic 65), Johnson, Croasdale (Crankshaw), Newby, Quigley. Subs not used: Ashby-Hammond, Hippolyte.
Att: 914
Ref: Thomas Kirk
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