DEAN’S DELIGHT AS LINGERS ARE SPOT ON IN A THRILLE

DELIGHTED Dixie Dean hailed his heroes as lively Lingers edged a penalty shoot-out thriller at Oakwood on Saturday.

Lingfield’s larger than life boss was overjoyed following the Sussex County League Division One high-fliers’ entertaining success against third-placed Kent Invicta League hosts in Crayford.

Dean said: “I am thrilled to bits with my side’s success and I believe that this is the turning point for our season. The players showed superb character to come back from 2-0 down at half-time to get through the tie eventually. Kent Football United were a really good side and I expect them to do extremely well in their league this season, but we found a way to beat them and this result has really made my weekend and season so far.”

The Lingers’ manager revealed that back to his best midfielder Daryl Coleman had told him afterwards: “That was for you boss” as the Godstone Road club showed solidarity which had not yet been in consistent evidence so far this season despite their bright opening to the campaign.

Yet there had seemed little likelihood of the drama to unfold as the hard working hosts had led 1-0 after 21 minutes when Danny Willis fired home inside the far post from 25 yards, giving giant goalkeeper Rob O’Hara no chance following a well worked move. Worse was to follow for Lingers on 38 minutes as Julian Edwards burst through on goal, forcing Freddie Fleming to handle the ball, Edwards beating O’Hara from the penalty spot following referee Paul Waller’s award, although the keeper went the right way.

Lingers had been made to pay heavily for numerous missed chances, with Glenn Boosey enduring a particularly frustrating afternoon.

Yet the visitors continued their inspired efforts after the interval and reduced the arrears eventually after 62 minutes when man of the match Harry Sintim fired home at the near post.

Coleman left it late to level after 85 minutes from the spot, beating keeper Dean Warford who had guessed the right way, sending spectators and players alike into a further 30 minutes at least to resolve the outcome.

Lingers looked to have snatched success late in extra-time as Sintim shot home from close range following Jamie Lawrence’s through ball after 117 minutes. Yet Kent Football United made it 3-3 through Ricky Tompkins at the end of the extra period, bundling the ball home at the far post following a corner to set up the nail-biting spot-kick finale.

Edwards was denied immediately by O’Hara which proved to be crucial as successive penalties by Coleman, substitute Craig Pitterson, Dean Carden, captain Gareth Graham and Lawrence, with the decisive spot-kick, edged out successful efforts by Willis, Jamie Blunden, and substitutes Tolu Popoola and Colin Justin respectively.

The winners’ prize was £600 and a home tie against Worthing United, also of Sussex County League Division One.

By David Grooves