Lingers lose first home game of the season

The game started very evenly with both sides having good spells of possession and as the game went on the away side started to combine well together, having luck down both wings. The away side had a golden opportunity when a cross to the back post was put on a plate for their striker who missed from 3 yards out, but bar that they never really caused Tony Jenner in the Lingfield goal any problems. On 30 minutes and against the run of play, Lingfield hit the away side on a counter attack with Harry Middleton breaking down the wing and playing the ball across for Brett Caiger to bundle the ball home from close range to give the home side a 1-0 lead. Lingfield could have doubled their lead shortly after when Matt Burroughs cut in from the right wing, found himself in a lot of space 10 yards out but his left foot strike was defended and cleared away off the line. Lingfield were looking for that second before half time and were pushing players forward, but were punished soon after when a cross from the wing into the away sides box was cleared and all of a sudden Lingfield were short at the back, the striker was able to get down the wing and lay the ball across for the onrushing midfielder who very calmly slotted the ball passed Tony Jenner into the bottom corner.
HT 1-1
The second half began with the away side once again enjoying large spells of possession and soon after the second half started the home side were dealt another blow when a deep cross into the box found an unmarked player 7 yards out, who had time to bring the ball down and smash the ball into the top corner. 1-2. This second goal filled the away side with more confidence and 5 minutes later a cross into the box was misjudged by Tony Jenner and fell directly to the foot of the lurking striker who managed to find the back of the net. 1-3.
Lingfield made some substitutions with Kieren Curtis, Finley Woods and Aaron Stead coming on and were soon putting pressure on the visitors. Jake Horn was delivering some good crosses into goal scoring areas but Lingfield weren’t able to find the net. On 75 mins a corner was met by Joe Kensett but he just couldn’t leap high enough to connect properly with the ball. The away side were able to see this out until the end and the referee blew the final whistle.
FT 1-3
Lingfield will be looking to bounce back and get back to winning ways next Saturday with a trip to Cobham FC in the FA Vase.

By Dan Frith

MOM Charlie Dodd

Photos Mike Moore