Midfielder Liam Hurst already feels at home in the colours of King's Lynn Town as he adapts to life as a semi-professional footballer.

The 20-year-old came through the ranks at Cambridge United but saw his dreams of playing full-time crushed when the U's released him this summer. It didn't take long for Hurst to find a new club – or job – as he signed for the Linnets and began working as a roofer with his father. And the midfielder admits that juggling work and the beautiful game is fast becoming a labour of love.

Hurst, who played nine matches for Town on loan during the 2013/14 campaign, said: 'It's been a big transition for me. I've just started working and it's going well.

'I enjoyed my time on loan here so it was a no-brainer for me when I was released. When you're in the pro mindset it's every day you're grinding it out. Now I go to work and the football is something you look forward to – coming and seeing the boys.

'Setch (boss Gary Setchell) rang me when I got released. I spoke to him, and everything sounded as it should so I put pen to paper. I noticed as soon as we had the first training session there was quite a few of us that clicked. Once you're all on the same wavelength you bring everyone else in with you.'

A 2-0 opening-day defeat at Merthyr Town was a frustrating start to the Southern League Premier Division campaign. But a deserved 1-0 victory – achieved thanks to Hurst's first competitive Lynn goal – over Cambridge City at The Walks on Tuesday evening has lifted spirits ahead of today's visit of Bideford.

'It was a brilliant feeling. After the disappointment of Saturday and then coming here and putting it right, it's a feeling I just can't describe to you,' said the right-sided operator.

'The fans were brilliant and the noise when we scored was unbelievable. I didn't think there'd be that many here. The lads were ecstatic. It was like a weight was lifted off our shoulders because you want to win the first game and get off to a flier, but unfortunately that didn't happen.'

That single-goal triumph was Lynn's first competitive home win since New Year's Day. They'll be looking to build on that against a Robins outfit who arrive having picked up one point out of a possible six so far.

Setchell said: 'Last season's done for me. I closed that book when I made these signings. Relief, that we've got off the mark. Relief, that we've turned in a decent performance. And it was unbelievable that there was nearly 650 (fans) here.'