The Lingers bounce-back from recent cup disappointment with a comfortable home win

3 changes from the FA Vase exit at the weekend saw Joe Kensett, Kieran Curtis & Matt Capon come in for TJ Stead (ill), Marc McEvilly (ill) & Dan Frith (working late). The pattern of the game was set out early, with Lingfield dominating the majority of the play; the main threat coming from the swashbuckling Matt Gates who worked some neat combinations with Kieran Curtis. However, the deadlock was broken when Sam Bell broke down the left, leaving 3 defenders for dead before finishing neatly across the keeper into the far corner - a goal made and finished by Belly, who makes it look like men vs boys at times.

There were more openings for the Lingers, who were working the ball out to the wingers Curtis & Burroughs however, the second goal was proving tough to come by with some good saves from the Ringmer keeping and some lackluster finishing from The Lingers. At the other end, Tony Jenner was forced into a fantastic point blank save which was the only real chance for Ringmer during the half, a key save to ensure Lingfield went into half time ahead.

HT Lingfield 1-0 Ringmer

After a stern chat from the managers at half time, The Lingers stepped up the intensity and were 2-0 up within a few minutes of the second half. Matt Gates went on one of his adventurous runs and managed to invite a poor tackle from the Ringmer full-back, the referee pointed to the spot. David Heaton stepped up and saw his penalty saved by the keeper, however he reacted quickly enough to nod in the rebound, 2-0 to the Lingers.

This early goal in the second half opened up the game and central midfielders Jake Horn & David Heaton were able to get on the ball and dictate the game a bit more than they had in the first half. The 3rd goal came soon after when Sam Bell nicked the ball on a high press and fed Capon, Belly received the ball back, advanced into the box and fired across the keeper, a strong finish, 3-0.

With Joe Kensett & Charlie Dodd keeping the door firmly shut at the back, The Lingers rang the changes with Aaron Stead, Daniel Frith & Harry Middleton replacing Kieran Curtis, Matt Burroughs & Matt Capon. The 4th goal arrived soon after; a superb through ball from Matt Gates who found the fresh Aaron Stead who only needed one touch to lift the ball over the on-rushing keeper, an instant impact from the bench. The game was seen out comfortably for The Lingers with the only notable chance falling for Sam Bell who smashed high and wide when presented with an opportunity for his second hat-trick in back to back games at the Lair.

Another fixture chalked off in the league, with a solid 3 points and clean sheet. The Lingers will be looking to build some momentum in the league - next up is Midhurst & Easebourne away on Saturday.

FT Lingfield 4-0 Ringmer
MOM - David Heaton