Lingers go Back to Back

A tough start for our hosts over the first 4 games only picking up the single point and after our home win midweek, we definitely came into the game with more confidence. Eastbourne had just the bare 11 on the team sheet, which always sets themselves up for a difficult afternoon.

We started the brighter, lots of energy across the first 10/15 minutes with lots of possession and lots of pressure in high areas. And we broke the deadlock quite quickly, Ransome pressing the goalkeeper into a kick to which he could block and muscle into the goal from there, 1-0. He’s 3rd goal in 5 League games so far this campaign. From this point, our aggression in the press and intensity of our play dropped down to a cruising level which invited Eastbourne forward, and wasn’t too long before they got their goal. A deep free kick from the right hand side saw a scramble on the edge of the box manoeuvred forward and tucked away by the centre forward, 1-1. We did regain control of the game and dictated with lots of opportunities to which we couldn’t find the finishing touch, and the half was cantered out to a stalemate 1-1. HT

Wilford replaced by Jake Horn at half time because it really wasn’t happening for him, probably the beers from the previous night taking their toll... despite his 11% pass completion rate in the first half, it was matched and if not bettered by mine in the second half seeing about 2 and half passes completed. Setting the standard as skipper... ? Enough about me, we retook control of the game in the second half with possession and inevitably more chances, but nothing was hitting the back of the net, changes in Carney for Connolly and later Bakhit for Ransome saw all subs making an improved impact on the game, Carney had the best of the chances from 0.8 yards out from a square ball which initially was blocked to then have a free swing at air afterwards. We did get that elusive goal around 10/15 minutes from time, a quality diagonal ball from Bakhit, split the entire back line, and Stead was at the back stick to head Back across the goalkeeper for 1-2. Eastbourne had to come out more to try find something else, and it just left holes for us to pick pockets, and slow the game down where necessary. The game was put to bed 5 minutes from time, we’ll worked on the right hand side and inside to Horn who shifted it onto his left and smashed it into the top corner off the bar from about 25 yards out, 2 of his 4 touches this season have hit the back of the net. And the game was seen out comfortably in the end. 1-3 FT

A result that on the balance of play we fully deserved and with some more ruthlessness, could’ve been out of sight a long time before even the second half. 3 points anyway and we can keep taking these positives forward, and that’s back to back wins for us now. We’ll be sitting in a false position in the league due to playing a game more than anyone else, but it’s nice to have the points. We travel back down to the very same ground, which all of Lingfield know I love so much, to face Little Common for an early 11am kick off. The first encounter between any of the newly promoted sides, and promises to be a very good game.

We look forward to seeing all the same travelling support down there on Monday morning, Up the Lingers!

MOM Jamie Bakhit

By Sammy Clements