Boston United 2 King’s Lynn Town 0
King’s Lynn Town’s New Year got off to the worst possible start after they suffered a festive double at the hands of their nearest rivals.
The Pilgrims followed up their Boxing Day win at The Walks with a victory that was far more convincing against a Lynn side who posed few threats.
It was no surprise when Boston went ahead just before half-time, Jacob Hazel firing a left foot shot in off the post from 20 yards.
A penalty two minutes after the break sealed matters and although Lynn tried to throw the kitchen sink at their hosts as the minutes ticked by, Boston again managed the game out.
The final whistle was greeted by home cheers, while Lynn fans responded with chants of 'we want Cleeve out' - a reflection of the current financial concerns at the club and dissatisfaction with owner Stephen Cleeve.
Lynn boss Adam Lakeland made one change to the Boxing Day side, with Cameron Hargreaves starting in midfield and right back Kian Ronan relegated to the bench.
Five minutes in Jordan Ponticelli tried a more than speculative effort from way out on the right, a half volley forcing keeper Aaron Chapman to turn the ball away for a corner.
Boston failed to make the most of a good spell, when Jacob Hazell fired across the area into no man’s land and then blasted wide from a good position.
Most of the play was inside the Lynn half, Boston able to get in too many crosses from either flank but, as with Sam Smart’s low cross from the right, unable to find the vital final touch.
Lynn’s defence stood firm under a barrage of shots from Smart, Deji Sotona and Hazell, Jones parrying the first and a combination of Lynn limbs keeping out the follow-up efforts.
Ponticelli should have done better from Ben Stephens’ clipped pass but couldn’t get a shot away.
Minutes later Stephens’ cross was well met by Kyle Callan-McFadden whose header was wide.
Brad Nicholson looped a header from Sotona’s corner just over, but Lynn broke and Gabriel Rogers fired just wide from distance.
It was no surprise when Boston went ahead just before half-time, Hazel firing a left foot shot in off the post from 20 yards.
Lakeland made two changes for the second half, Kian Ronan on for Ponticelli and Aaron Powell replacing Rogers.
But it was Boston who made the better start, Sotona scoring from the spot inside two minutes after Josh Coulson had fouled Hazell.
With chants of ‘you’re going bust in the morning’ ringing in their ears, Lynn had a mountain to climb. It was steep and slippery, and while they curtailed Boston’s forward motions, their own attacks fizzled out far from the Boston penalty area.
Boston fans began the ‘oles’ around the hour mark – and with good reason. Lynn struggled to touch them at times.
Coulson was pushed up front as Lynn looked for breakthrough – Michael Bostwick denied Stephens and Coulson glanced a header just wide on 81 minutes, the nearest Lynn had come to scoring.
Boston: Chapman, Rowe, Nicholson, Bostwick, Leak, Martin, Knowles, Hazel (Mooney 82), Sotona (Gyasi 87), Richards, Smart (Ward 73). Subs not used: Hill, Lovelace.
Goals: Hazell 43, Sotona 47 pen
King’s Lynn Town: Jones, Crowther, Coulson, McFadden, Rogers (Powell 46), Hughes (Forde-Brown 79), Hargreaves, Morrison, Ponticelli (Ronan 46), Cybulski, Stephens. Subs not used:Barrett, Dixon-Hodge.
Att: 2,670 (Lynn: 296)
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