6 of the Best against Top of the League

After our bounce back wins last week at home against Seaford via a late winner, top dogs Little Common were in town... they came in good spirits not only sitting top of the league but gaining their 3Pts last week from a late winner too. We boasted a 100% home record in all competitions this season, 6 of those in the League. Last year this fixture played out Little Common victors 5-1.

We began the first half with lots of energy, the game very much in a stalemate early doors. Lingfield edging possession and carved out a couple of half chances. Common were more dangerous on the counter when we were high on up the pitch. Many a game can be dictated from the first goal, and the first goal in this game set the tone for the afternoon. A corner routine straight from the training ground, a short corner from Wilford to Summers clipped over to the back post for 'Twiggy' Johnston to head home off the underneath of the bar; 1-0. We continued to outwork Common on and off the ball, starting to control the game more and more. Common found a few chances themselves, and with the League's current top scorer, always threatening. 5 minutes from HT, we doubled the lead from one of the goals of the season, slowly built up from the back as far as Moore in goal, to Graves, down the right-hand side for Wetton to latch onto and swing in for Dembele to guide home over the keeper into the top corner; 2-0, and the half-finished up that way.

Only half a job done though, and last week's game a clear indicator and lesson to not take any liberties. It was evident we had learnt from it and started with the same intensity we'd finished the first. 2-0 a dangerous scoreline at the best of times; so getting the 3rd was a big blow to the visitor's cause. A quick 'Twiggy' Johnston free kick into Dembele and rolled wide to the overlapping Mwanza; who's cross played behind all backtracking for Summers who's normal pulled back run was found and was slotted home into the bottom corner with some composure. An air of confidence was injected into Lingfield as our energy levels and overall ball retention a bit much for Common as they began to tire. We went into cruise control as we made it 4, a Summers free kick from the left saw Wetton head home from the front post. After a couple more chances fell our way, none more so than Summers header from a Wetton throw-in coming off the post into the keeper's hands. We made it 5 and 6 in quick succession as we went into the last 10 minutes. The first of those, a sloppy pass from Common's No. 6 to Clements saw him lay it in behind for Wetton to cut back and curl around the keeper. The final nail in the coffin was well worked from Connolly into Clements, threaded through for Dembele to slide home; 6-0. FT and a very convincing win, that will definitely send the biggest statement of intent to the rest of the league so far. With Wick and Langney both getting their respective wins this weekend, Wick mount the top of the table by a point. However, meet each other in the league next weekend and can't both take home 3Pts. We're now 7pts back as we make it 11 wins out of our last 12 in all competitions with an upcoming Away cup tie at Saltdean Utd Tuesday night; due to be a real test with potential absences.

Again, a huge thank you to Mike Moore from DEphoto.TV for his media efforts, interviews with Skipper Graves on our website. And to all the supporters from both sides, massively appreciated. We return to League action next week away at Hailsham.

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MOM Richard Wetton

By Sammy Clements