FA Vase exit after Extra Time

Roughly 1 month into the season, and as all Linger's associates know, it's normally the toughest in regards to 5 away League games and a couple away cup ties; however before we do return to the Lair on Tuesday night to welcome AFC Varndeanians; we travelled into Beckenham Town.

1st things first, a massive well done to all ground staff involved at Beckenham, the pitch was like a carpet and the truest of surfaces. Onto the football, Beckenham the league above and Lingfield with a poor beginning to their season showed us to be firm underdogs in the tie, however something that you can't buy is hard work, and Lingfield started out with a winning mentality and intensity, and stood toe to toe with the opposition for every first and second ball. The first big chance of the game fell to Beckenham's No.10 who lobbed Olly Moore to only hit the bar and get cleared away; to respond, Lingfield continued to press and from the first earned corner of the game, Conor Wilford's delivery found Richard Wetton who's strength to hold off an oncoming GK to head home, 1-0 Lingers. Lingfield continued to battle and carve out chances, none more so than Sammy Clements' effort from close range. However the 2nd goal did come from another corner, same side, same delivery from Conor Wilford, same oncoming GK to spill the catch to fall for Scott 'Twig' Johnson to tap home, 2-0. After a very competitive first half, the game saw itself out and Lingfield went into the break 2-0 up through sheer will, not really playing all that well.

2nd half began with obvious tasks at hand, as the rain began to fall, and Beckenham brought it to Lingfield as expected, and almost a panicky reaction by Lingfield saw Marco Mwanza give away a sloppy set piece on the left-hand side to be met by Beckenham and get one back, 2-1, and another poorly defended set piece. With continued pressure beginning to mount, Lingfield tried to stand strong, however from our left side, their Right Midfielder cut inside more than once to then lash home from 18 yards, 2-2, and all the hard work in the first half gone, and still with 25 mins to play, all of a sudden Lingfield up against it away from home. A few big moments in the game as Richard Wetton freed himself from the CB on the counter to get one-on-one to only hit the post, and only minutes later to see the GK sent off for a deliberate handball out of the area. Despite the man advantage, Beckenham wasn't tested the way we feel they should've been, and the game stalemated to finish 2-2 FT. An entertaining 90mins, with 30 more to play

ET began, and with the man advantage, the task set by management was to retain possession, stay patient and run them into the ground, however, we decided to kill the man advantage by playing very direct, and high, playing balls that are 50/50 in the air. To finish, in the 2nd half of ET, in true Lingfield style, a wide late run broke our defence and rounded the GK to knock home, 3-2. And the game was seen out and a gutting feeling after 120minutes of football, however not playing the best football.

MoM to Rich Wetton