Following the rapid departure of our manager and his assistant after the defeat at Bexhill United, our First Team coach Charlie McCarthy and management assistant Ben Caldecourt were asked to become interim co-managers until the end of the season. There was no luxury of time to prepare as just three days later The Lingers were away at Midhurst & Easebourne. Having now been in charge for six matches, the results they have achieved have seen Lingfield move up to tenth in the six match form table and above every team we have to play in our final five matches.

In recognition of this record of two wins, two draws and two defeats that include a great second half comeback against then league leaders Haywards Heath Town that just fell short of a deserved draw, the club has confirmed Charlie McCarthy as our permanent First Team Manager. Congratulations to Charlie on his appointment and on turning the team around at a critical point in the season. With Ben Caldecourt confirmed as Assistant Manager, Charlie faces a busy Easter Weekend starting this evening with the return fixture against Midhurst & Easebourne, followed by another home game on Easter Monday against Crawley Down Gatwick. The hope will be to turn the away draws against these sides into home victories.

There was a chance that with two wins over Easter, and with other results going in our favour, Lingfield would be staying in Step 5 for next season. However, Lancing's unexpected win over title-chasing Haywards Heath Town has put paid to that. After Easter we have away fixtures at AFC Varndeanians followed by Lancing and then ending with a home game against Shoreham. There is a seven team mini-league of sides not yet secure in Step 5 for next season and Lingfield are the only side to face all their final games against these sides. Midhurst & Easebourne just play us and do have an additional match against Guernsey after this game was abandoned a few weeks ago. AFC Varndeanians, Crawley Down Gatwick and Shoreham face four sides, while Lancing and Wick face three sides. A host of 'six pointers' to end the season.