THE LINGERS STAND TALL IN SURREY SENIOR CUP EXIT

Dixie Dean’s men came of age with a mature performance which promised much for their impending FA Carlsberg Vase first round tie at Erith Town.

Several players produced fine displays, with the pick of the bunch being goalkeeper Dan Burnett, who made a string of superb saves, and ever impressive young centre back Jay Kalama.

The Cardinals, from the Conference Premier, included six first teamers and delighted a good sized crowd with their silky skills and clinical finishing. But a clever half-time team talk by Dean, empowering his players, saw them storm back to take the second half 2-1, having trailed 4-0 at the interval.

Guiseppe Sole opened the scoring for the hosts after only seven minutes, shooting home inside the far post , giving Burnett no chance following a slick move.

Reece Beccles fired in, via the far post for 2-0 after 21 minutes for the rampant Cards who increased their advantage six minutes later as Adam Brice powered home a close range unmarked header from Anthony McNamee’s right-wing corner.

Worse was to follow for The Lingers after 42 minutes when it became 4-0 following a great goal as former Fulham favourite Kevin Betsy showed superb skill before leaving Burnett helpless again.

By now the floodgates had been opened like the wet weather and drastic changes had to be made to halt the flow of goals.

Cue a commendable second half onslaught from the previously outplayed visitors who reduced the arrears crucially after 51 minutes as impressive right back Jake Hill opened his club account by shooting home at the near post from captain Gareth Graham’s well worked right-wing corner.

However, Woking restored their advantage after 83 minutes when the outstanding Sole completed his brace, firing home past Burnett following a splendid run through The Lingers’ defence.

Hidekazu Sato had the last word a minute later, powering home a superb near post header past Aaron Howe after Hill and impressive second half substitute Dominic Lugard, who crossed, had combined brilliantly on the right for a great goal to cap off a great night’s work. Lugard did splendidly, substituting injured Harry Sintim after the interval, while promising striker Joel Amos also showed some typically deft touches, replacing Jamie Lawrence late on.

Delighted boss Dean, whose young son Dave Dean also impressed in replacing injured Fred Fleming, led the applause as the players left the pitch, beaten but unbowed and having added hugely to their growing reputations.

By David Groves

Woking FC v Lingfield FC Match Photos
WorkingFC 5-2 Lingfield Video