Lingers drop their first 2 points at home

After a long break through your Christmas, it was time to get back at it, brush those cobwebs off and go into 2018 with 1 aim... Promotion. Langney have already got their calendar year underway, currently sitting 2nd place. Langney beat Lingfield on the first game of the season, and despite having absences of David Graves (Captain), Rich Wetton (30 Goals in all comps) and Nick Dembele... we still had a stronger squad than that of the first game. Not knowing that Wick we’re going to go on to get beat, the game meant even more.

The visitors got the game underway, and despite Lingfield hosting much of the possession, we did look rusty. We did take a foot hold in the game, and we netted inside the first 5 mins to wrongly be disallowed for offside, evident on video replay. Langney had a big chance saved from Moore as both sides tried to throw the first punch. The best chance of the half probably fell to Clements 12 yards from goal 3 minutes before the break. In a stalemate, the game was blown up when a tackle in the centre of the park saw a few handbags come out and players booked; one of which was No.9 for Wanderers who then saw it fit to spray his water bottle at our manager’s face. A 2nd yellow and Langney down to 10men. Ending up the last phase of the half, 0-0HT.

As much as the first half saw Lingfield dominate, we knew we’d dominate even more ball; however down to 10, probably suited Langney to just sit in and soak up pressure, they didn’t need to come out and attack. It was Langney who took the lead, a mistake from what was obviously going to be long punt forward saw No.11 for Wanderers latch onto and screw across into the bottom corner, 0-1. Lingfield continued to press on, and the game plan didn’t change for both sides, Wanderers got deeper and deeper into what looked like a 6-3 formation camped on the edge of their box. Much against the tide, Langney doubled their lead, the left back got forward trying to counter and as most of his crosses throughout were very sporadic, it so happened another wayward cross somehow found the top corner directly. 0-2. Up against the pump now, and Lingers has to be galvanised. The introduction of Chris Ransome off the bench on debut was just that! May have proved to be later than needed. The same constant pressure and peppering at Wanderers door saw a breakthrough 10mins from time, a cross from the left saw Turner scramble it back goalwards and Ransome on hand to tap home, 1-2! A quick restart and back into pushing for more. This time worked through on the left by stead into Ransome who’s deflected shot passed the keeper, 2-2! In the final stages of the game, Ransome had a chance to get the hat trick and all 3 points when he bullied his way on goal to mis-strike his left foot volley. And that was that, 2-2. Langney played through with their game plan and normal punt and hope, whilst our constant possession and pressure did see us take a point, even though we still feel as though it was 2 dropped.

We lose our 100% home record, nevertheless still unbeaten at the Lair. We move onto next week as we entertain Mile Oak in the league. We now sit 1 point adrift of Wick in 3rd with a game in hand whilst Mile Oak just 2 points behind us also having played a game more. Thank You to support of both sides, and we hope to see more of you next week.

Goal(s)

Ransome x2

Assist(s)

Turner
Stead

MOM Stephen Hodge

By Sammy Clements