Linnets in ‘safe hands’ going into Alfreton clash at The Walks

King’s Lynn Town are in safe hands when it comes to goalkeepers this season as they go in search of a fourth successive home win on Saturday.The Linnets host Alfreton Town at The Walks as they begin a run of six National League North games in the space of three weeks over the festive period.Goalkeeper Paul Jones looks set to be the club’s only injury casualty going into a crucial run of matches, but Lynn fans do not need to fret with Pat Boyes proving a capable back-up between the sticks.Boyes has made a fine argument for himself as a strong National League North keeper, with Lynn sitting second in the league standings.Boyes, 22, stepped in for his debut at home to Buxton back in October and has kept five clean sheets in the six games he has featured in since Jones has been sidelined with a knee problem.Manager Adam Lakeland praised the former Fleetwood Town shotstopper for one particular stop at home to Scarborough Athletic last weekend.”He made one in particular save to his right and I think it was from Harry Green,” said the Lynn boss. “He’s got in down the left, smashed it across goal and it has taken a little bit of a deflection. “Pat has gone to his left and he’s saved it up to his right and that was a massive moment because we’d just missed two really good opportunities ourselves at the other end.”If that goes in it could be a really difficult game to win, but I think that’s what the best goalkeepers do. They make big saves at big moments.”I’m just delighted for Pat because he’s every time he’s been called upon he’s done well and he just gets on with it. “Although he’s a young keeper he’s come here with with a lot of match experience.”He played at FC United a lot of games so he doesn’t get flustered playing in front of the crowd and it’s three clean sheets.” Lynn’s players are well aware of their manager’s defensive demands and Lakeland says his side’s improvements at the back have been due to teamwork.”I’m pleased for Pat, but it’s a collective effort. “We work hard on our shape and our organisation and our work rate and detail and in this league, it takes you a long way.”If the lads in front are organised and they protect the goal then they make life easier for your goalkeeper and then it’s just about your goalkeeper doing the basics of the game well and pulling off the odd save when they need to.”Jonah has done that since I came into the club and Pat’s done that since he’s been in the team.”We’re in a very fortunate position where we’ve got two reliable goalkeepers and top professionals but the lads in front do a phenomenal job, from the strikers right through to the lads in the back line of protecting them and trying the best to shut out the opposition. “Long may that continue because teams that do well in this league concede few goals and they’re always defensively.”Right now defensively we’re looking more solid and we’ve got to keep that going.”