From the word go Lingfield seemed the stronger of the two sides, constantly pushing forwards and creating chances whilst Southwick could only sit back and absorb the pressure. Matthew Burroughs came closest after 20 minutes, touching the ball delicately round the defense and then past the keeper, but he could only roll his effort across the face of the goal. Ayden Richards had several chances but couldn’t quite get enough on it either time, whilst Christian Londoño was bundled down in the area but had his penalty claims waved away by the ref.

The second half opened much like the first had ended, with the Lingers piling on the pressure and Ayden Richards having a fine effort parried wide by the keeper. Christian Londoño then put a good free kick just over the bar after a foul on Sam Cockerill, yet it was somehow the away side that opened the scoring.

In the 74th minute Southwick’s substitute no.14 managed to tuck one of their few chances just beyond Jordan Jenner at his near post, giving them a somewhat undeserved lead. This goal boosted their confidence and they threatened again, but this time the keeper was equal to it.

A succession of Lingfield corners were amongst a series of chances that the enthusiastic hosts just couldn’t put away, and despite some fantastic last ditch defending at the other end in the dying moments, the equaliser just wouldn’t come and the Lingers had to settle for a disappointing 1-0 loss.

By Sam Freebody