Lingfield Pay The Heavy Price For Missed Chances In Last Gasp FA Cup Exit

LINGFIELD paid a heavy price for their inability to take golden chances as they exited the FA Cup following an agonising last minute winner at Grand Drive on Saturday.

With the tie heading to a replay at East Grinstead on Wednesday, Raynes Park Vale substitute Layiwola Lemoh snatched success for the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division club with a 90th minute goal, punishing slack defence following c oncerted pressure from close range.

It was rough justice on the Sussex County League Division One high-fliers who appeared to have done enough to have earned another attempt at settling the tie, but on reflection their lack of killer instinct cost Dixie Dean’s side dearly.

The deadlock had been broken after only 16 minutes as the hosts’ Ato Okai capitalised on a mistake by towering goalkeeper Rob O’Hara to fire home a rebound from close range.

Lingfield, who had squandered early opportunities, with Glenn Boosey going close twice, equalised deservedly after 36 minutes when ex-professional striker Nicholas Forster, who would have been unavailable for a replay, headed home superbly from left back Daniel Frith’s pinpoint cross from the left, giving keeper Ed Cornwell no chance.

Having reached the interval at 1-1, Lingfield were left cursing their luck after 49 minutes when captain Gareth Graham crossed from the right for Forster whose near post header was disallowed controversially by referee Craig Cox for an infringement, one of many officials’ decisions which incensed boss Dean.

With £1,500 at stake for the evenly balanced tie’s winners the tension was palpable but Vale always appeared to want victory greater, with Lingfield’s listless approach belying the importance of this match, continuing to squander chances after the break.

The comeback from retirement of sweeper Danny Oakins did not really pay off, as the holidaying Dean Hamlin was missed in the key position. Lingfield’s midfield also lacked penetration and the visitors failed to take advantage of playing down the slope in the second half.

To make matters worse, Oakins was cautioned for a 41st minute foul and Forster followed him into the referee’s notebook for dissent after 62 minutes.

Even three second-half substitutions failed to bear rich dividends for the visitors who lacked leadership and sufficient encouragement throughout the side.

Eventually, the damn broke almost inevitably as Vale sensed success, heaping agony on Lingfield following Lemoh’s scrambled winner in the first of three nail biting additional minutes.