This was the semi-final of the Cup and Lingfield were drawn at home to Cranleigh .... but were forced to play on their opponents’ patch as the Young Epilepsy pitch was declared too boggy.

Never mind, the Cranleigh pitch had been a happy hunting ground for Lingfield, their most recent triumph there being a 3-1 victory in December last year.

Rather disappointingly, there was a low turnout of the Faithful for this crucial encounter, although Assistant Coach Paul did make an appearance. Which was nice.

As the morning dew glistened in the radiant sunshine, Lingfield got the game under way on the referee’s opening whistle.

Within moments it became apparent that, although the ground was reasonably firm underfoot, there was still much moisture in the ground and in the air - meaning that the ball wasn’t travelling as far as it might in drier conditions.

And Cranleigh nearly took advantage of this fact after just 3 mins. The ball became ‘stuck’ in no-man’s land – it was seized upon by a Cranleigh playmaker and he instantly fed a forward who then flew down the right channel before unleashing a fierce shot that sped across the face of Luke’s goal and just wide of his left upright.

During the early exchanges there seemed to be more blue shirts on the pitch than yellow & red, such was Cranleigh’s commitment and work rate.

After winning a couple of corners, the hosts again won the ball in midfield and again an attack was launched. This time the Cranleigh No 15 was too strong and too accurate for the Lingfield back line and Luke was beaten in an instant.

0-1

Lingfield were struggling to get a foothold in the game and were now a goal behind.

On 14 mins, however, the visitors made their first meaningful attempt on goal. Seb won a free kick just outside the area and up stepped Cap’n Rob to take control. His kick was good, but the keeper was equal to it, saving with both hands above his head as the ball headed towards the top corner.

Lingfield were now beginning to build some momentum, but Cranleigh were still hungry.

On the cusp of 21 mins, Lingfield nearly fell further behind. Once again the hosts raided down the right. This time, the cross-cum-shot ballooned into the air and fell menacingly towards Luke’s crossbar. The Lingfield stopper was first to it, but his parry only reached the forehead of a Cranleigh striker who was standing right in front of him. The ball ricocheted off the unsuspecting attacker’s head and thudded against the bar before being scrambled away to safety.

The Lingfield Faithful exhaled in unison with a collective sense of relief!

Seb was then clattered innocently when challenging for the ball and limped from the fray, replaced by Henry.

A minute later, Lingfield took a turn at pressing down the right flank of their opponents. Nothing much seemed to be on and then, from nowhere, Nathan swung his right boot and the ball flew unerringly into Cranleigh’s net, their startled keeper left clutching at thin air.

The Faithful punched that same thin air in delight, and the visitors were now back on level terms.

1-1

This game was well and truly alive and a final place was still up for grabs.

Lingfield’s tempo rose and they began to see more of the ball. Cranleigh, conversely, seemed to have the stuffing knocked out of them by that sucker punch and were losing some of their early rhythm.

As the referee was preparing to signal the mid-way break in proceedings, Rob nearly gave Lingfield a half time advantage. Finding space in the Cranleigh area he unleashed a trademark pile driver. The Cranleigh custodian could only parry and a blue-shirted defender could only head skywards. As Jase prepared to pull the trigger, however, the keeper smothered to ensure that the scores were level at the interval.

HT 1-1

On sped Ollie for Brad and the second half was underway.

Lingfield were first to threaten in the second period, with Nathan again the danger man. This time he broke right and rode several challenges before crossing low and hard. Alas, there was no one on hand to apply the finishing touch and Cranleigh escaped.

The hosts then broke back in an instant. Yet another foray down the right, and yet another low cross-shot. Luke was beaten, but the post stood firm and the score line was preserved.

The supporters were now being treated to a breathless, hugely entertaining, ding-dong battle of a cup tie!

Cranleigh penalty? The ref had none of it. 33 mins gone.

And then, two minutes later, Luke excelled. The massed ranks of red and yellow made a Horlicks of clearing their lines and the ball was curled expertly in from the edge of the area. Luke threw himself sideways and his outstretched fingertips guided the ball to safety.

39 mins and Lingfield’s turn to attack. This time Ryan pinched the ball and crossed – there was Nathan, but his shot squeaked right of the upright. Close!

Luke again muddied his shorts on 40 mins with another diving save as Cranleigh pressed for another.

One goal now would surely seal it.

On 49 mins Rob turned on the gas and powered into the Cranleigh area. Alas, Nathan was unable to connect cleanly with the loose ball and Cranleigh survived.

And then, a minute later, a heart-stopping moment for the Faithful. As the ball was played through the visitors’ defensive lines Luke came running out and shouted that it was his. Jimbo duly left it, but Luke missed it! Agony and then ecstasy on the away terrace as the ball dribbled harmlessly wide of the goal.

Luke made amends shortly afterwards, however, this time bravely repelling another Cranleigh counter.

Lingfield came again, this time Nathan in a 1-on-1 with the Cranleigh keeper. The latter stood firm, however, and Nathan’s shot skewed wide.

Despair for the Faithful.

The clock was now ticking down and nerves were beginning to shred on all sides of the ground.

With 2 mins remaining, Lingfield broke. Ollie fed Nathan who fed Rob. The Cap’n surged into the area and fed Jase .... who couldn’t get his shot away in time with the Faithful on their toes. Agony!

1 min to go. A Cranleigh striker bore down on goal, in dived both Jimbo and Luke. Legs everywhere and the ball flew loose. But the ref blew – surely not a penalty? No, the striker was adjudged to have fouled and Lingfield were saved.

And it wasn’t long before the ref blew again, this time to signal the end of normal time. Extra time now loomed and, thereafter, the dreaded penalties!

FT 1-1

Henry now made way for Brad who re-joined the battle for the extra period.

A minute into added time Cranleigh surged forward. Jimbo and Ollie were there to avert the danger but, despite their best efforts, Cranleigh still got a shot away .... there was Luke, however, to save the day again.

Lingfield then worked the ball down the left and Jase found himself in space with only the keeper between himself and glory. The latter prevailed, but Jase was soon on the offensive again.

This time a long ball was played over the top of Cranleigh’s back line. Jase was on it in an instant and fired in from the right. With the keeper and a lone defender at sixes and sevens the ball rolled free. First to it was Brad who fired in immediately, but it was blocked and rebounded back out. What a chance!

But wait, the ball fell back to Brad who reprised his shot. This time it evaded everyone with a Cranleigh badge on their jersey and nestled in the bottom corner of the net!

Euphoria erupted within the ranks of the Faithful who danced and jigged this way and that in gleeful celebration!

2-1

Minutes now separated Lingfield from an historic victory and the glory of an appearance in the final.

The ref blew for half time of extra time and gave everyone a chance to collect their breath.

The second period of extra time witnessed the same cut and thrust, ding dong, end to end battle that the crowd had the privilege of witnessing in the preceding 65 mins.

The spectators were on tenterhooks as both sides slugged it out, Cranleigh seeking a precious equaliser and Lingfield desperate not to let it slip.

Try as they might, however, Cranleigh just couldn’t find a way through and red and yellow scarves were waved furiously in celebration as the ref blew punctually to end the contest.

LINGFIELD WERE IN THE FINAL!

FT ET 2-1

As the players offered conciliatory handshakes to the hosts and celebratory back slaps to each other, the Faithful basked in the glory of victory and began to ponder final dates, opponents and what to wear for the Big Occasion.

Luke was awarded Man of the Match for his heroics in goal but, in truth, all 13 players were heroes on this momentous day in the history of Lingfield Youth FC.

And so to the final on 26 April 2014. But first, back to more basic matters in the league and a bid to climb the table. Bring on next weeks’ opponents .... Cranleigh!