Holbeach United 0 King's Lynn 2
9th April 2012
A FIRST-HALF double from Jason Turner saw the Linnets continue their relentless march towards the UCL crown as title rivals Long Buckby sufffered a surprise Easter slip-up.
Turner struck twice in a vintage first-half display from Gary Setchell's side and their joy was increased on the final whistle by the news that Buckby could only manage a 2-2 draw at home to Daventry,
The Linnets now lead their title rivals, who have three games in hand, by 12 points ahead of the meeting between the two sides this Saturday.
Lynn's starting line-up showed two changes from Saturday with wingers Kieron Davies and Jamie Thurlbourne coming in at the expense of Danny Beaumont and Rob Hughes.
Lynn were cheered on by an estimated 400 noisy travelling supporters, who swelled the home gate to 628 against an average of 120. Lynn's fans were also following the halting progress of main rivals Long Buckby in their match.
Linnets made a dream start after two minutes when Jason Turner headed home Jamie Thurlbourne's corner from the right.
Seven minutes later the Walks outfit doubles their advantage from a route one move which started from the back.
A long clearance by Jordan Yong was flicked on by Jack Defty into the path of Turner, who left Ben Brown in his wake before finding the back of the net from 20 yards.
The damage could have been even worse with less than 15 minutes on the clock had Jamie Thurlbourne's stunning 30-yard half-volley not grazed the Holbeach woodwork.
Defty showed no signs of the injury which ruled him out of a light training session on Sunday and made him a major starting doubt before the game.
The big front man and strike partner Turner gave the Tigers the runaround in the first 45 minutes, while Yong and Thurlbourne were a constant threat on the left.
Such was Lynn's dominance, Holbeach's first effort didn't arrive until the 36th minute when Andrew Tidswell saw shots blocked by Yong and Stuart Wall in quick succession.
Jamie Thurlbourne's long-range free kick then had Holbeach goalkeeper Leigh Overton at full stretch as Lynn ended the half how they had started - firmly in control.
Holbeach gave a much-improved second half display and Alex Street was twice called upon to thwart Tidswell with smart saves.
At the other end, Turner wasted two good opportunities to complete his hat-trick while captain Ross Watson saw his header come back off the bar.
Lynn: Street, Deeney (sub Fryatt 73), Yong, Watson, Wall, White, Davies (sub Hughes 75), L. Thurlbourne, Defty, Turner, J. Thurlbourne (sub Beaumont 83)
Unused subs: Harris, Hails.
Attendance: 628