1-1-2 (W-D-L) Lingfield's current start record, and even with the first 6 games being away from home, more around the 10points from them first 6 was a target due to absences, injuries etc. However with more of a consistency to the squad beginning to form, by no means complete, developing... we faced current 100%ers in Wick, who through the grapevine thought we'd be just another walkover.
And in the first few moments of the game, was all frantic and unorganised from set pieces becoming a bit too easy for them to play a quick short ball that was hit across goal and scrambled over the line, 1-0 Wick 5 minutes in. Notoriously going behind early gives Lingfield the wake-up call to go and engage the opposition, a lot of well-pressed work made it tough for Wick to play out and Lingfield started to outplay them, and carve chances out. Falling to Jamie Bakhit, Ben Connolly and Rich Wetton throughout the half, just got the habit of not punishing teams so far; however a penalty was given when Wick's centre half seemed to handle the ball in the area, Richard Wetton converted. 1-1 and we continued to have a go, and chances went begging, could've been 3/4-1 but could've should've doesn't cut it. A big controversial talking point of the half was a disallowed offside goal as Rich Wetton rounded the defender to loop a cross over the centre half's head for Sammy Clements to headed home to only be given a risen flag which bemused everybody, a potential turning point in the game. 1-1 HT The ascendancy with Lingfield as we began the second half the same with continuous pressure at Wick, a couple half chances fell for Wick also when the centre forward's volley almost lobbed Olly, however the majority fell for Lingfield but for the life of me we could've been there now and not scored again, countless waves of attacks and as the sides began to tire, it was just becoming more open. With 5 minutes to go, Wick worked themselves a corner which always gets a Lingfield fan's heart going, and with what looked like climbing on David Graves, the ball hit his head and diverted back towards his own goal which couldn't be prevented to going into the top corner, 2-1 Wick and a sickening blow. Finished 2-1 Wick and 4 points from 5 games is not promotion ambition form, within these opening games we've dominated possession, attempts, territory in 4 of them, we must get ourselves out of this rut and start burying chances, it's what wins games of football, unfortunately, not stats. All of the Wick players and management looked star struck to have got anything from the game saying we were 'robbed, to be honest,' more to only think we were robbed by the officials.
We move to the FA Vase next Saturday away at Beckenham Town, a much-needed break from the League.
MoM to Corbin Sanch