PILGRIMS v LINNETS: New year, but Boston United are haunted by the past in King’s Lynn defeat

(Adam Marriott 28, Jordan Richards 45, Michael Gash 80)

Boston United kicked off the new year haunted by the past.

Former Pilgrims Adam Marriott and Jordan Richards found the net on their return to York Street before an awful clearance from keeper Peter Crook enabled Michael Gash to put the contest beyond doubt as United suffered their fiurst home league defeat of the season.

League leaders Lynn began lethargically with Boston capitalising on their stray passes and poor control, but despite some determined running from Jake Wright and neat link-up play from Dominic Knowles, Dayle Southwell’s tame 20-yard effort on the spin was all they had to show for their endeavours.

The failure to make the most of that pressure came back to haunt United in the 28th minute when Sonny Carey set Marriott free, the striker outpacing Ben Middleton and coolly slotting beyond Crook.

Alex Street was called upon to keep the Linnets in front, getting down well to divert the ball out of Knowles’ way after Wright got himself goal side.

Crook used his body to deny Chris Henderson, but there was little he could do to prevent Richards’ curler from outside the box doubling Lynn’s advantage.

The second half began with Marriott and Brad Abbott lashing efforts off target at opposite ends.

As Boston looked for a way back into the game, Street made an inch perfect save to drag the ball of Wright’s toe and Jordan Thewlis should have done better from 12 yards as he blasted over.

Crook’s legs denied Michael Gash as Lynn exposed Boston on the break, but the keeper played a huge part in Gash making it three.

A weak goal kick went straight to Marriott, who sprinted down on goal before squaring for Gash to finish off with a simple tap in.

The visiting fans went wild as the home support began to filter out to jeers, Lynn completing their first league double over Boston since 1960.

UNITED: Crook, Middleton, Whittle, Platt, Ainge, Shiels, Woolford (Thewlis 67), Abbott, Wright, Knowles, Southwell (Rollins 60); Subs (not used): Jackson, Wafula, Willis.

LYNN: Street, Jones, Fox, Jarvis, Barrows, McAuley, Kelly (Carey 20), Richards, Gash, Marriott, Henderson; Subs (not used): Limb, Ward, Hawkins, Payne.

REF: Scott Simpson.

ATT: 2,360 (458).