Kings Lynn Town 0 Lowestoft Town 3

Lowestoft Town (starting line-up): Jones, Hayles, Gleeson, Haynes-Brown, Smith, Ainsley, Okay, Fisk, Eagle, Henderson, Louis
Subs used; Radomski, Clunan, Marsden, Jessup
Subs not used Jarvis

Ex-blue Michael Frew started for Kings Lynn, while Lowestoft saw a few return from knocks and injuries that had been picked up over the last couple of weeks. Lowestoft also named another trialist with midfielder Michael Clunan from Histon being named on the bench.

On a day which started out sunny and soon turned monsoon-like, Lowestoft got off to the best possible start, scoring within the opening five minutes of the match. A corner was sent in from the right by Eagle and with Henderson being allowed to move towards the near post unmarked and untracked, he had the simplest of tasks to head home from a couple of yards out for 1-0 (4 mins).
It had been a great opening to the game with Lowestoft finding space with some quick and quality passing through midfield.
Kings Lynn captain, Bell sent a chance flashing wide of the Lowestoft goal from an angle after cutting in from the right but it was Lowestoft who were looking more comfortable in their play. Kings Lynn looked a very mobile outfit but were putting in the odd poor pass and as a result their football was breaking down before getting into any dangerous areas.
As the half went on though, Kings Lynn started to find their men and had a spell of sustained possession. The increase in possession eventually brought another opportunity for the home side on the half hour mark, as right back Thomson drifted in from the right and sent a fierce shot in at goal but it was right at Jones. Lowestoft were being forced deeper by the home side and the spells of possession they were now enjoying but for all their build-up play, the Kings Lynn forwards of Frew and Jones were causing little threat and both Gleeson and Haynes-Brown looked in control.
As half time approached Lowestoft started to push back into the Kings Lynn half with some of their own possession and as the heavens started to open, Lowestoft made their way to the dressing rooms at the break in the lead.

During half time the heavens continued to open and for most of the second half the rainfall was of biblical proportions. Lowestoft were focused though and looked to double their advantage early on, as a ball over the top set Henderson in but with the keeper advancing his side footed effort trundled beyond the keeper and wide of the post. Lowestoft were hungry for a second though and following a lovely slide pass by Eagle to allow Henderson the chance to drill the ball across the goal and towards the target; Fryatt very nearly slide the ball into his own net, if not for the home keeper saving and putting the ball behind for a corner. The corner just delayed the inevitable though, as Ainsley delivered and Louis sent a strong and powerful header into the net from a standing position to make it 2-0 (52 mins).
The right back Thomson had looked one of the better players on the pitch for King Lynn and with him curling a free-kick just wide of the Lowestoft goal, the home side retained some hope. However, Lowestoft continued to look comfortable without ever forcing themselves into a higher gear.
Histon trialist Clunan came on for Okay and shortly after Radomski replaced Eagle, as Lowestoft put some fresh legs on in terrible conditions.
A two goal lead saw Lowestoft start to become a little clumsy and complacent with their passing, as a number of passes in midfield were being left short or misplaced. As a result Kings Lynn nearly put a blot on the Lowestoft score sheet with Thomson quick to react to an under-hit pass at the back, nicking the ball off Fisk and sliding it to Ramm at the angle. The Kings Lynn sub looked all set to ruin a clean sheet for Lowestoft but Jones did really well to quickly come out and put pressure on Ramm, seeing the Kings Lynn sub send his shot zipping across goal and wide of the far post.
The rain continued to come down by the bucket load and Lowestoft continued to let a few complacent passes go missing but Kings Lynn seemed unable to take advantage and were missing an attacking threat to their play.
At the other end Louis smashed an effort into the side-netting, as Marsden replaced Hayles and Lowestoft sharpened their play up with twenty minutes to go.
The game was then put beyond any doubt with Henderson capping a great personal week for himself in getting Lowestoft's third and his second of the day. From fully twenty-five yards the Lowestoft livewire got a shot away that took a slight deflection on route but even with the keeper getting a hand to it, the ball found the bottom of the corner and it was 3-0 (74 mins).
Immediately following the goal Lowestoft made a swap in goal with Jones seemingly suffering no ill effects to his shoulder and Jessup being given the last fifteen minutes.
The rain was already but it then went up a notch further, making it very difficult to play and with tired legs also now becoming a factor, the final whistle was looking most welcome for both sets of players.
A free-kick at the death for Kings Lynn gave them a final chance of getting on the score sheet but the Lowestoft defence closed the kick down and with the corner coming to little, the final whistle sounded. Lowestoft had closed out their pre-season with a comfortable display and their fifth clean sheet in seven pre-season matches.

The Lowestoft Town management and players will now have a week of training and final preparations, as they embark on their first ever season in Conference Football.
The blues kick off their new season next Saturday with their third longest trip of the season at Chorley

Good luck you blues!!!

Terry Bullen