King’s Lynn breeze past Buxton in National League North clash at the Walks
King’s Lynn Town 2 Buxton 0
King's Lynn Town moved into the top five of the National League North standings as they breezed past Buxton at the Walks.
First-half goals from Ross Crane and Josh Hmami were enough to wrap up the three points in a game Lynn dictated from start to finish.
With defender Freddie Sass and goalkeeper Paul Jones ruled out through injury, Linnets boss Lakeland made five changes to the side narrowly beaten 1-0 by Curzon Ashton in the FA Cup.
Pat Boyes got his first start between the posts, while Tommy Hughes, Josh McCammon, Finlay Barnes, and Ross Crane came into the starting XI. Sam Walker, Gold Omotayo, and Josh Williams were dropped to the bench.
Lynn were brilliant in parts of the first half as they ran visiting Buxton ragged with their breathtaking energy and attacking threat.
The hosts were on top in the early stages with Josh Hmami playing in Ross Crane before he returned the favour for Hmami a few minutes later only for the midfielder to be denied by a crunching tackle from Kieran Burton.
A snapshot from Hughes provided the first test for on-loan Manchester City goalkeeper True Grant 15 minutes before the interval.
Lynn's flowing football was eventually rewarded four minutes later as Hughes and Dylan Crowe combined for the latter to deliver a sweeping cross for Crane to fire home at the far post.
The second goal didn't take long to arrive with Barnes the architect after a brilliant piece of football to tee up Hmami, whose effort from just inside the box went in off the post.
Lynn's dominance continued after the break as Josh McCammon sent Hmami clear and his first-time effort was well saved by Garant low down to his right.
Lakeland's side were relentless to the point where you could not help but feel a bit sorry for Buxton who were unable to cope with Lynn's energy and efficiency all over the pitch.
Lynn are back in league action on Tuesday night when they travel to Oxford City.
King's Lynn Town: Boyes, Crowe, Wilson, McFadden, Taylor, Johnson, McCammon, Hughes, Crane (Omotayo 90), Hmami (Ronan 85), Barnes (Williams 77). Subs not used: Coulson, Walker, Williams.
Buxton: Grant, Mann, Stobbs, De Girolamo (Tomlinson 82), Elliott, Sault, Coleman, White, Ravenhill (Leigh 58), Popoola, Burton. Subs not used: Cooper, Fitzhugh, Mantle
Attendance: 979.
Elsewhere this afternoon, both Fakenham Town and Downham Town crashed out of the FA Vase.
Downham Town suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Thurlow Nunn Premier Division rivals Brantham Athletic while Fakenham Town were sunk by a last-minute effort in a 2-1 defeat at Harpenden.
In the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division, Heacham’s three-game winning streak in the league was ended by a 4-3 reverse at Soham Town Rangers.
In the First Division North, Swaffham Town