Premiership Report:
King’s Lynn v Middlesbrough RHC
Kings Lynn RHC premier league side began the new year with a particularly tough test against last season’s National Premier League and Cup Champions.
A positive start from the home side resulted in an early goal. A well executed set move carried out, meant Ryan Barnes could find space to play a pass through the defenders to Sam Kay who was waiting at the back post ready to finish into the top of the net. The second goal followed shortly after with a mistake coming from the Middlesbrough defence who ended putting the ball into their own net to take the score to 2 – 0 to the hosts.
After the first couple of goals the game calmed down with both sides exchanging good spells of possession. With Lynn defending well, the away side were struggling to find a way through until the last two minutes of the first half. A rare blip in the defence allowed for an away player to breeze through and finish into the bottom corner.
Half time: Kings Lynn 2 – 1 Middlesbrough
Into the second half and Middlesbrough came out fighting. Despite Lynn’s opportunities to grab a third goal, it was the away side who took their chances to grab an equaliser and then in quick succession added a third to take them into a lead. In the home sides attempt to now get themselves back into the game a mistake in the defence saw them concede their fourth goal of the evening.
Now forced into taking their time out early, Lynn regrouped. After this pressure began to mount and time was ticking. With eight minutes left on the clock, Lynn’s pressure finally paid off. Matt Baker dispossessing a Middlesbrough player in his own half and then coolly slotting a pass over to Josh Taylor to finish into an empty net. Following the goal Lynn picked up momentum and were now pressing to get an equaliser. With Ninety seconds left on the clock, a good save from Will Martin in the home goal resulted in a breakaway which was slotted into the top right hand corner by Josh Taylor to give Lynn their fourth goal and more importantly the equaliser.
Now with both sides feeling they could win the game, exchanges in possession and chances on goal were flowing. With thirty seconds left the home side found themselves with an opportunity to seal the game from the penalty spot. Unfortunately on this occasion the fairy tale comeback was not to be as the away keeper not only pulled off one save but two to deny Lynn an important win!
Reflecting on the game a draw seemed to be a fair result. With both sides taking control at different points in the game. Lynn will be looking to build on this single point in their upcoming games against Bury St. Edmunds and Letchworth.
Man of the match was Sam Kay who was presented the captain Vancouver hat by Jane Carter of ‘Carter Engineering Supplies’.
Thanks to our sponsors
Thanks to the timekeepers and all those who come to watch.
The Team:
Will Martin (GK) Matthew Baker, Ryan Barnes, Michael Carter, Josh Gay, Jamie Griffin, Sam Kay, Josh Taylor© & Jack Tucker.