King’s Lynn Town 4 Merthyr Town 0
James Rowe’s Linnets picked up their first home victory of the 2025/26 campaign at the hands of newly-promoted Merthyr Town this afternoon.
Michael Gyasi struck twice in a dominant first-half display from the hosts before Reece Hall-Johnson and Ross Crane wrapped up a convincing three points in the second half.
Gyasi now has seven goals in five games this season as the Linnets moved back into the top five of the National League North standings ahead of Tuesday night’s visit of Kidderminster Harriers.
The game was 40 minutes late kicking off after the visitors’ bus broke down en route to Norfolk.
Lynn, once again, were quick out of the blocks at the Docherty Walks Stadium as they looked to bounce back from Monday’s setback at Chorley.
Defender Reece Hall-Johnson was at the heart of everything down the right side as the home outfit set their stall out early.
Tracking back, Hall-Johnson won the ball in midfield before playing in Gyasi, whose snapshot was comfortably saved by Jaimie Cogman down to his right.
It was the pacy Gyasi who fired the hosts in front after 17 minutes, leaving Merthyr players in his wake during a mazy 30-yard run before a smart finish past the visiting goalkeeper.
Two minutes later, Hall-Johnson’s cross from the right was played into the path of Ross Crane by Gyasi, but he fired over the woodwork.
Lynn’s second goal arrived in the 21st minute, seconds after Tom Dickens had made a brilliant clearance in the box, as Morgan Williams threaded the ball through to Gyasi, who made no mistake with the finish for his second of the afternoon.
Lynn were given a scare on the stroke of half-time, but Louis Chadwick pulled off a smart save to deny Lewys Twamley.
Merthy’s Tom Handley couldn’t get the ball out from beneath his feet and watched his final effort deflected wide as a good chance went begging for the Martyrs at the start of the second half.
Twamley curled a shot inches wide of the target as the Merthyr pressure continued at the start of the second half.
Lynn broke straight forward through substitute Sam Collins and Gyasi before the ball found its way to Hall-Johnson, who cut in from the right to fire past the Martyrs’ shotstopper.
Hall-Johnson almost had a second from a Bailey Clements centre two minutes later, but he was brilliantly denied by Cogman who stood big to deny the right-sided liverwire.
Tempers became frayed between the two benches, which led to red cards for both head Linnets coach Rowe and the Merthyr assistant manager, as referee Jack Churchill chose to take centre stage.
Gyasi missed a golden opportunity to complete his second hat-trick of the season in the 73rd minute, while Chadwick had to be alert to keep out an effort from Merthyr substitute Aneurin Livermore at his near post.
Lynn’s fourth goal arrived with nine minutes left on the clock as Gyasi used his strength to play in Crane to blast into the empty net.
King’s Lynn Town: Chadwick, Hall-Johnson, Clements, Doherty, Wilson, Clunan, Gyasi (Omotayo 89), Nyahwema (Collins 54), Dickens, Williams (Maja 85), Crane. Subs not used: Jones, Fleming, Lambert, Van Lier.
Booked: T. Wilson, Hall-Johnson, Colins. Scorers: Gyasi 17, 21, Hall-Johnson 59, Crane 81
Merthyr Town: Cogman, Ryan-Phillips, Handley, Jarvis (Williams 78), John (Sambu 70), Smalley (K Evans 70), Rees, Twamley, J Evans, Lewis (Smerdon 78), Lucas (Livermore 70). Subs not used: A. Harris, M. Harris.
Booked: J. Evans.
Attendance: 1,257.
