Match Report- Marine AFC
Henry Kay
23 AUG 2026

King’s Lynn Town welcomed Marine AFC to the Docherty Walks off the back of a midweek win away to Brackley Town.
However, the Linnets could not make it two wins in a row, as they fell to a 4-1 defeat.
It was a great start for the Linnets, as the first few chances in the opening ten minutes fell their way, with Ross Crane testing Jack McIntyre on a couple of occasions.
Crane didn’t have to wait much longer for a real opportunity to come his way. In the eleventh minute, he gave the Linnets the lead. He cut inside after a great team move and curled one from the edge of the area into the back of the net.
The Linnets kept pushing for a second as the first half progressed, in what was a really dominant attacking display. Reece Hall-Johnson and Ryan Tunnicliffe both went close with efforts at goal. However, Lynn went in at the break just one goal ahead.
The second half started in similar fashion, as the Linnets looked so dominant in possession and found themselves camped inside the Marine half, searching for a second.
Kwame Thomas rose highest to meet a dangerous Jesse Nwabueze cross, however, it was caught by McIntyre.
Ten minutes into the second half, and firmly against the run of play, Marine were awarded a penalty after Jack Doyle’s cross struck the arm of Michael Clunan. Sinclair-Smith converted his penalty to drag Marine back into the game with their first goal of the season.
The Linnets, who had looked so comfortable all game, now had to find a way back in front. Ross Crane went so close to finding the top-left corner with a curling effort; however, it went just inches over.
As the Linnets searched for a goal, Marine struck again. George Kattah broke on the counter-attack and slotted the ball past Hollingshead to give the visitors the lead.
Five minutes from time, it was three. The Linnets were hit with another Marine counter-attack, as Matty McDonald found the back of the net, giving the Linnets a mountain to climb.
Four minutes later, Marine had a fourth. Sonny Hilton converted in another counter-attacking move to ensure all three points went back to Merseyside, in what was a tale of two halves for the Linnets on a really frustrating afternoon.
The Linnets return to action next weekend as they travel to the North East to take on Hebburn Town.
Thank you, as always, to our supporters for their fantastic support.
