Back-to-back home defeats for Linnets

King’s Lynn Town’s inconsistent start to the new National League North season continued as they suffered a second successive home defeat at the Walks.Goals from Stefan Mols and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts saw Curzon Ashton run out comfortable winners over their former boss in Norfolk.The defeat saw Lynn slip down six places in the league standings – seven points behind early league leaders Scunthorpe United on an afternoon that they failed to seriously test visiting goalkeeper Bobby Jones.An injury to Dylan Crowe led to Linnets manager Adam Lakeland shuffling his pack from the side which picked up a point at Scarborough Athletic midweek as Kian Ronan returned to the starting XI.The sight of the offside flag saved Lynn in the eighth minute after James Spencer stabbed home Stefan Mols’ cross from the right.Curzon Ashton enjoyed lots of early possession and Greg Taylor blocked an effort from Devon Matthews as the visitors remained on top.It took Lynn 15 minutes to work their way into the contest and Josh Hmami made space for himself before seeing his shot flash wide of the target. Hmami left two Curzon Ashton defenders in his wake with a brilliant piece of skill down the right before delivering a low cross that the visitors somehow managed to keep out with Jonny Margetts waiting to pounce. Lynn were forced into an early change 10 minutes before the interval when Margetts – injured in the build-up to an earlier chance – limped off the pitch to be replaced by Gold Omotayo.The home side fell behind eight minutes before the break following an incident that led to Curzon Ashton being awarded an indirect free-kick in the penalty box that Mols duly drilled into the back of the net.Lynn missed a brilliant chance to level matters just before half-time as Omotayo used his strength to hold off William Hayhurst and cross for Josh McCammon to slice his effort wide of the target. Lynn started the second half on the front foot but ran into a pink wall as the visitors defended their box stoutly.Spencer curled an effort over the woodwork on the hour mark as the Nash looked to hit Lynn on the break. The home side were left with a proverbial mountain to claim midway through the second half when Buckley-Ricketts cut in from the left and bent the ball home with his right foot on the edge of the box.McCammon dragged a shot wide for Lynn while the body of Jones denied Buckley-Ricketts a second goal at the other end just minutes later. Curzon continued to stifle Lynn’s attacking threat and they managed the game brilliantly to return home with all three points.King’s Lynn Town (4-1-4-1): Jones; Ronan, Sass, McFadden, Taylor (Wilson 88); Johnson (Hughes 80); Hmami, McCammon, Crane, Barnes; Margetts (Omotayo 35). Subs: Boyes, Walker.Curzon Ashton (4-1-3-2): Jones; Hayhurst, Rchards (Sobowale 90), Poscha, Matthews; Barton; Griffiths, Mols (Afuye 88), Sinclair (Darby 90); Spencer (Waring 90), Buckley-Ricketts (Mahon 72).Attendance: 1,131.