Goalfestive at the Lair

Billingshurst started bright and dominated the early proceedings and got a well-deserved goal in the 10th minute through Enobong Idiong who finished well at the second attempt after his free kick struck the wall. Unfortunately this goal did not spring Lingfield into life and they fell further behind in the 30th minute after a tidy finish from Patrick O’Sullivan.

Lingfield almost found a way back into the game when a strong header from Mark McEvilly struck the inside of the Hurst post abut unfortunately none of the oncoming players were able to scramble the loose ball home.

HT 0-2

Half time saw two changes in personnel with Brett Caiger and Sammy Clements coming on to replace Matthew Gates and Alex Harizanov. This also saw the Lingers shift to a more attacking 4-4-2 formation.

It was a tale of two halves and Lingfield came out brightly and had a couple of early chances. Dave Heaton striking the post with a long range effort and the lively Sammy Clement being denied by the Hurst Keeper.

The breakthrough came in the 65th minute when Sam Bell broke well down the right and put a ball across for Brett Caiger to finish into the empty net. 1-2

Lingfield now has the ascendency and had Hurst on the back foot. After a good ball from Matt Burroughs it allowed Sam Bell to break again down the right side and this time he choose to shoot from what seemed an improbable angle but nothing is impossible for Sam Bell and the ball fired into the top corner leaving the keeper with no chance. 2-2

It appeared that only one team was now going to go on and win the game and that was the case and in the 74th minute Matt Burroughs found the oncoming Connor Leach in the box who finished the move with a striker-like finish rocketing the ball into the bottom corner. 3-2

It was now super-sub Aaron Steads time to have his influence on the fixture and he did so with a lovely weighted cross to find his brother TJ Stead who rose above the centre back and finished well with another salmon like header from the youngster in scenes which resembled the fine victory over Bexhill. 4-2

It was now down to Lingfield to see out the victory but as we all know nothing is ever made easy and Billingshurst scored a consolation in the 85th minute but this was not enough and Lingfield held on to their victory and it was a well-deserved 3 points. 4-3

Thank you to all the fans who came down and supported Lingfield. Your support has been pivotal to some of our come backs this season and we look forward to your continued loyal support in 2017.

Man of the Match – Sam Bell

Match Report – Brett Caiger

Match Highlights - Mike Moore

Lingfield Vs Billingshurst FC Match Day Programme