Five-goal National League North thriller at The Walks

LYNN 3, BISHOP’S STORTFORD 2

National League North

A goal deep into second-half stoppage time from substitute Jack Smith clinched a crucial win for the Linnets this evening.

Goals from Bartosz Cybulski and captain Josh Coulson had twice seen the home side take the lead in this relegation area encounter, but each time their opponents from Hertfordshire hit back.

However, Smith’s 95th-minute strike means that all three points stay in Norfolk and the Linnets rise one place in the table to 21st ahead of Saturday’s game at The Walks against 10th place Blyth Spartans, who drew 0-0 at bottom side Darlington.

After an opening period where neither side threatened it was the visitors who went close after 23 minutes when Adam Crowther nearly chested the ball into his own net following an inswinging cross from Darren Foxley, but it rolled wide for a corner.

Lynn took the lead a minute later when Tom Clifford picked up the ball on the left flank and his cross found Kian Ronan, who nodded deftly back into the box for Bartosz Cybulski to nod home.

It was nearly 2-0 after 29 minutes when Cybulski played through Ben Stephens on the right, but his effort from inside the area flew narrowly over the bar.

Back came Stortford though and Gio McGregor saw a free kick from 25 yards out go just over after half an hour. However, the same player equalised in the 44th minute with a fizzing low strike from 20 yards finding the bottom left-hand corner, to make it 1-1 at half time.

It was the visitors who went close first after the break, Tosin Olufemi’s strike from 20 yards deflecting just wide of the post after 53 minutes.

But six minutes later Lynn regained their lead when Stephens won a free-kick and Josh Barrett delivered a deep cross to the back post, where captain Josh Coulson lashed home from close range.

The Blues weren’t done though and Lynn keeper Paul Jones was forced into a good save in the 66th minute from Harrison Sodje’s right-footed strike.

They went close again five minutes later when Aaron Greene clipped a left-footed strike just over the bar from 25 yards, and a minute later Linnets keeper Jones was on hand to deny the same player from close range after an inch-perfect cross from Ollie Peters.

The home side were not done as an attacking force either and after 78 minutes, Stephens cut onto his right and drove into the box only to see his effort from 18 yards out well saved by Jack Giddens.

The Linnets went close again after 87 minutes, Stephens trying his luck from a free kick 35 yards out after Cybulski was fouled, forcing a fine low save from Giddens.

Stortford pulled level for a second time with 88 minutes on the clock, Greene arriving in the six-yard box to slot home Olufemi’s low cross.

But Jack Smith sealed the victory for Lynn in the fifth minute of time added on. Lynn got a drop ball in their favour, and it was played to sub Billy Jones, who chested it down to fellow sub Smith who found the bottom right corner with one of the last kicks of the game.

LYNN: P. Jones, Ronan, Coulson (c), McFadden, Crowther, Clifford, Hargreaves, Morrison, Stephens (B. Jones 90), Barrett (Smith 73 mins), Cybulski. Subs (not used): Oke, Isaacson, Walker. Booked: Clifford (foul), Ronan (foul), Morrison (foul).

STORTFORD: Giddens (c), Haines (Parker 52 mins), Sodje, Thomas, Beadle, McGregor, Foxley, Olufemi, Walker (Charles 76), Greene, Alexander (Peters 62). Subs (not used): Marlow, Messaoudin. Booked: Greene (obstruction), Thomas (foul).

GOALS: Lynn – Cybulski 24 mins, Coulson 59, Smith 90; Stortford – McGregor 44, Greene 88.

ATTENDANCE: 647.

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