Lingfield knock local rivals for 6

Quite a few changes to the side that beat Storrington on the weekend, with some new introductions to the squad from the Reserves; To say the first half was fast and frantic is an understatement. From kick off, Rich Wetton sees the keeper high off his line and with a bit of quality, clipped the ball into the top corner, 1-0. Oakwood responded within 30secs of that goal, with a simple ball over the top and a simple squared ball and tapped in at the back post, 1-1, 1min played. Very slack defending by the Lingers. Oakwood then pressed on and took the lead within the first 10mins via a deflected shot looping over Tony Jenner, who was in goal for replacement of Olly Moore; 2-1 Oakwood. Lingfield were level again in the 18th minute after a Rich Wetton cross went all the way to the back post through to Nick Dembele to push past the defender and clinically tuck away 2-2. The goals didn't stop coming, Lingfield was leading again in the 32nd minute via a replica goal of the second, a Rich Wetton cross behind the back line found Nick Dembele at him back post and a simple enough finish, 3-2 Lingers. It was 4 when Ryan Hill looped a ball into the box and poorly dealt with by Oakwood fell at the feet of Ben Connolly who's quick feet forced a defender into a challenge that resulted in a penalty that he put away, 4-2. Ben got his brace minutes later from an audacious effort with a quality lob from about 35 yards, 5-2. The half ended with another Ben Connolly goal, completing his hat trick within the half from a rebound off a Rich Wetton shot, 6-2 HT and some top quality goals.

The second half started calmer, Lingfield looked ultra confident in possession and made Oakwood work off the ball for large periods, as the game began to become more stretched, the more holes for Lingfield to pick passes through the defensive line. Multiple one on one situations went begging, however, and even more opportunities spared to the offside line. No goals to report in the 2nd half, as the game finished up 6-2, completely opposite to the first. Nevertheless, the highlights or more like lowlights of the half was 2 red cards for 2 Oakwood players, one with his hands around David Graves' neck, straight red. And the other for a kick out and poorly timed tackle, 2 yellows. A bitter end for Oakwood.

Lingfield progress to the 3rd round of the Peter Bentley cup, and take back to back victories and the confidence and momentum of it into Saturday's game away at Mile Oak as they return to League action.

MoM to Ben Connolly
By Sammy Clements