Lingfield share 8 goals and the points away at St. Francis

After losing all the points at Mile Oak, games coming thick and fast, and midweek no different. The game started with another select amount of Lingfield possession and high pressing game to only be undone by St. Francis' first attempt on goal, a shot deflected by the centre forward to nod in, typical Lingfield, 1-0 down. 5 mins later St. Francis doubled their lead via a simple ball through the middle of an open looking defence and to bend it round the oncoming Olly Moore for 2-0. Lingfield still continued to dominate the ball and created a few big chances, none more so than Ben Connolly's effort parried behind by the GK from a Matt Burroughs through ball. But no more goals and the disappointing start to the season continues; 2-0 HT

After a proper hairdryer treatment, the goal was simple; however within 90secs it was 3, lack of switching on again, and the centre forward lashes a left footed strike into the bottom left-hand corner, almost unsavable really. It takes 50mins for Lingfield to start to become clinical with a David Graves ball over the top for Rich Wetton to bully his way into the box and fire home, 3-1. Within another 10 mins, a slightly controversial goal as a Dan Lilley set piece was challenged by Sammy Clements and the GK to fall for David Graves to chest and tap in, the goal was given, 3-2. A selection of chances came Lingfield's way to the likes of Rich Wetton and Nick Dembele, but couldn't grab the equaliser. 10mins from the end, Lingfield create themselves another mountain from a series of errors and mistakes at the back as the ball scrambled itself over the line, 4-2. In the 87th minute, a long diag into Nick Dembele brought down and some individual brilliance, to power his way around the St. Francis defence and quite simply smash it home, 4-3. Then the kitchen sink came out for Lingfield, a bombardment in the St. Francis box and the last attempt of the game saw a Jake Horn cross loop high into the air, the GK came out to collect to the only spill and bounce out to Ben Connolly who took a touch to chest and the second was as pure as you like, volley bent into the top bins, and a point salvaged, 4-4 FT

Despite the late scenes, it still feels like another 2 points dropped as we head into what is becoming another cup final for us as we face a Wick side that still has their 100% record in tack. A mountain for promotion that is getting bigger and bigger.

MoM to Alec Tuppen