Lingers drop points in Local Stalemate heading into 2017

After a positive performance and 3pts against Billinghurst before Christmas; the job at hand was to travel not to far down to Crawley and away to Oakwood and build momentum going into the New Year.

On a freezing cold night, Lingers got off to a hot start when a through ball from the returning Mark Barnard made its way to TJ Stead on the left hand side of the box who calmly beat the oncoming goalkeeper just 6 minutes in! TJ Stead's 3rd goal in 4 games in December. The game was still in the balance, and as it progressed Oakwood were beginning to dominate possession, stringing moves together and not allowing Lingers to really play; and the half was quickly reversed as Oakwood score 2 goals within the space of 15mins from very similar moves down the left hand side, crossed, and tucked away rather easily. That wake up call for the Lingers was evident, and Lingfield began to fight back, seeing more of the ball and pushing Oakwood back into their half, and the equaliser came on the stroke of half time just 5 mins before the whistle; a ball down the right hand side for Sam Bell to get onto the end of and smartly pulled across to an unmarked Mark Barnard just 6 yards out to tap home; 2-2 HT.

The 2nd half began as the first, a tight, cagey affair with neither side budging. Lingers started to shorten things up, stringing a few more passes together and becoming more patient when building up the pitch; and it resulted in Lingfield taking the lead, a perfectly waited pass from David Heaton in behind for Sam Bell to take in his stride from the right and beat the keeper in typical fashion; his 18th goal of the season and doesn't look like letting up heading into 2017; 3-2 Lingers. A few more chances for Lingfield went begging as the game might have been killed off, before Oakwood started to push for a late point; Heading into the last 10mins Lingfield decided to sit in and try to see it out, Oakwood with all the ball. And in the 4th of 5 minutes added by the ref from somewhere, a deep ball in from the right hand side was dropped by Lingers keeper Jordan Jenner under his bar and tapped in on the rebound.

The game finished 3-3; and with some unnecessary words with the ref, Sammy Clements foolishly sent off after proceedings which capped an overall disappointing night for the Lingers and definitely 2 points dropped rather than 1 gained to finish off a mixed 2016.

MOM awarded to Alfie Dean who returns to Lingfield after a spell away from the club and welcomed back with a strong performance.

Lingfield head into 2017 currently sitting in 5th position still within a chance of promotion but with plenty of work to do in the new year; still all to play for.

From Everyone at Lingfield FC, we wish you a very happy New Year and look forward to seeing you support the team on our return to action on the 3rd Jan at the Lair as we take on St Francis Rangers; 7.45pm Kick Off.

Report: Sammy Clements

MOM : Alfie Dean

Media Coverage : Mike Moore