Lingfield slip up against Greenwich

Despite fielding a less-than full strength side we looked strong out of the gate but it was Greenwich who struck first, with their number 11 Kinch scoring from range after a series of blocked efforts. The game was very end to end and it was just starting to look as if we were going on the defensive when we countered fast and Curtly Shallow scored from the right hand side to even the game.

The goal lifted the side and we seemed more solid at the back, and our boosted confidence showed minutes later when Lewis Afflick tapped in at the far post after a brilliant marauding run from Joel O’Hara. However, the lead didn’t last that long as a cross-pitch ball lead to a cross that ex-Hull City & Millwall striker Gary Alexander put away to draw Greenwich level once more.

After a period of withstanding Greenwich’s attacks followed by a period of some intensive pressure of our own the game slowed down, with only the occasional slip on the wet surface causing any problems. Simon Wallace unfortunately had a goal disallowed for us before Greenwich immediately ran up the other end and Mahon scored for their 3rd, arguably against the run of play.

Unfortunately after half time Greenwich came out like a different team, pressing us hard and troubling Rob Hambly in goal as often as they could. After resisting for as long as possible our defence eventually relented and Jeffrey got free on the left side and chipped the keeper from a tight angle. The goal seemed to have taken the wind out of our sails for a while but we were just getting back into the game when Mahon struck again for the opposition, cutting in from the right hand side to make the score 5-2.

Unlike the previous goal this one seemed to motivate the team and we responded well getting forward and causing Greenwich problems. Unfortunately they managed to break through once more and Jerrum flicked the ball over a grounded Hambly for their sixth of the night. Substitutions were made to try and change the game, with Afflick and Wallace coming off for Ben Alecsander and Odane Smith.

We were still looking to counter and our forwards were working very hard, but even after Chris Shanny’s introduction we were still unable to grab another goal. On a positive note some good defending and some great saves stopped us from conceding any more. As disappointing as the loss was we can learn from the mistakes and take those lessons forwards for Saturday’s game against Beckenham Town.

Sam Freebody