A few absentees to the Lingfield side, so the likes of Jamie Bakhit, and George Gomez came up to slot in. The 1st Half started with Lingfield in general possession and slightly on top, couple chances went begging for Lingfield, no more so than hitting the post and when Ben Connolly rounded the rushing keeper to only be denied by the back tracking defender. And due to not making the pressure count, Mile Oak struck, a poor headed back pass mistake at the back lead to allow the centre forward to run on to and lob Olly Moore, 1-0 Oak. After this goal, the tide shifted and for the first time in the game, Mile Oak felt as though they could get a result, and the game levelled out with a couple half chances either side, but no more goals to the half, and Lingfield went in 1-0 down HT.
No changes at HT, just a needed straighten up to go out and attack Mile Oak, and we pressed and pressed and pressed again, Oak taking their time on everything, especially goal kicks, as all sides do to slow the game down, preserve the lead, and after we tried everything to break them down, we equalised with 10 minutes spare, Conor Wilford moved forward from the back line onto a loose ball 40 yards from goal, and struck what can only be described as a wonder goal, 1-1. With 10 minutes left in the game, it looked as bough there was only going to be one winner, the adrenaline gave Lingfield a second wind to press on, however, in true Lingfield style, a lapse in concentration all round from the kick off, ended up in a simple long ball over the left back, into their centre forward who's turn and shot was saved and deflected into the path of the incoming strike partner, 2-1 Oak. And all the hard work thrown away again, a replica style goal of that we conceded midweek against Oakwood after 30 seconds. A few more chances for Lingfield went begging and the game finished with big Oak celebrations knowing they've found a big result. 2-1 Oak FT.
1-0-2 (W-D-L) our record so far, by no means he best start, maybe a blessing in itself that it's so early in the season, a couple more away games in the next 7 days before we can host our first home league game Ina couple weeks. 2 big games coming up now as margins for error become thinner and thinner, we travel to St Francis after they won 5-0 today, and will go into that game with confidence. A disappointing result with only ourselves to blame.
MoM to Sammy Clements