Bloomfield gets winner

Yate 1, King's Lynn 2

A Danny Bloomfield strike late in the second half secured a vital win for the Linnets and gave them their first ever win at Lodge Road.

Once again the Linnets were hoping to improve on a poor away record as they travel to the West Country for the visit to Lodge Road to meet Yate Town. They were seeking their first ever win having gained just one point from their five previous visits.

On the team front the big news was the return of Adam Smith on loan from Peterborough United. He took the number three shirt in place of Greg Lake who reverted to the bench. Otherwise Lynn's starting line-up was unchanged from the side that were 2-0 victors over Corby in midweek with Charlie Defty continuing to partner Mark Warren in defence instead of the injured Greg Crane. Dean West was given the captain's armband as he made his 100th start for King's Lynn.

The game kicked off in glorious sunshine and early action saw Adam Smith, on loan from Peterborough, play in a dangerous corner. But Horsell, in the home goal, beat the ball away before play was halted for a foul.

Smith was again in the action playing a 1-2 with Nolan, his shot producing a comfortable save from Horsell.

For the Linnets Turner and Frew combined well to create a crossing position, but Nolan delayed his shot and the chance went astray.

For Yate Blakemore made a surging run down the left wing and it required a fantastic tackle from Charlie Defty to deny the winger at the expense of a corner from which West headed behind for another.

From the flag kick Michael Frew headed a goal-bound shot from Sims off the line.

For Lynn Francis fed by Smith put in a good run and cross from which Wyatt made a timely interception as danger threatened the home goal.

On 20 minutes Michael Frew picking up a loose ball let fly with a 20-yard ground shot which Horsell had to go full-length to save.

This was just after Yate had been forced to make a substitution with Prosser replacing the lively Blakemore who had an injury.

A long diagonal ball from Francis caused Horsell problems but Frew was unable to capitalise. At the other end a back pass from Smith caused Howie to concede a free kick only yards from his goal.

Elsy's attempt at a delicate chip drifted just wide of the upright.

Yate's centre forward Rawling broke down the right and got in a dangerous cross which Charlie Defty hooked away.

As Lynn retaliated, Frew crossed for Melton to fire in a good shot on the turn which was blocked by centre-half Jeffries. Nolan then tried some trickery to work a shooting opportunity but his final effort was well over the crossbar.

The Lynn defence had comfortably dealt with all the home side could throw at them and on the balance of play the Linnets could consider themselves a trifle unlucky not to be ahead at the interval.

Lynn made no changes at the interval. Straight from the kick off Yate had a good opportunity when from a free kick taken by Wood, Jeffries headed against the stanchion.

Yate combined well in a four-man move which was only brought to a halt by an offside flag for Lynn on the canter saw Turner finding Frew whose deep cross on the right in turn reached Nolan arriving at the back post but his volley bounced down and wide.

Back came Yate and May set up Sims who put a hard shot just wide of Howie's near post.

On 55 minutes Lynn took the lead with a fine goal from Turner who receiving from Francis skipped around two defenders and the goalkeeper before slotting the ball into an empty net.

Lynn could have gone further ahead when Francis crossed to Frew whose return ball was headed wide by the winger.

On the hour Lynn made a substitution with Bloomfield coming on for Nolan. Yate also made a substitution with Ayre replacing May.

The substitute could have netted with his first touch, heading an inviting cross from William only fractionally wide.

For Lynn Frew ran at the home defence but was blocked, the rebound being powered just wide by Francis.

Lynn again came close when Frew combining with Turner gave the centre-forward an opportunity as he moved to the right and slanted the ball back across the goal but it rolled just wide of the post.

On 65 minutes Yate scored an equaliser when from a pinpoint cross from Wyatt, Jason Wood rose unopposed to beat Howie with a powerful header from eight yards.

Lynn responded with a move down their right with West finding Frew whose deep cross to the back post was headed onto the crossbar by Melton the ball eventually rebounding off a defender to Bloomfield who was deemed to have got the final touch as the ball rolled into the net for a somewhat fortuitous goal.

Just prior to the goal Lynn had made their second substitution with Fisk replacing Francis.

Five minutes from the end Lynn brought on a third sub, Lake for Frew, as they attempted to close out the victory.

In the final minutes Yate made efforts to level but to no avail and Lynn ran out deserved victors by two goals to one for their first ever victory at Lodge Road.

Final score: Yate Town 1 King's Lynn 2.

Half time: Yate Town 0 King's Lynn 0.

Lynn: Howie, West (captain), Smith, Warren, Charlie Defty, Camm, Frew, Melton, Turner, Nolan, Francis.

Subs: Bloomfield, Fisk, Lake, Spriggs.

Yate: Horsell, Wyatt, Elsey, Brice, Jeffries, Sims, Blakemore, Williams, Marling, Wood, Maye.

Subs: Prosser, Ayre, Bridson, Nelson.

Referee: Mr P Martin.

Attendance: 220