Lingers lose out in 9 goal thriller!

Both sides went into the game with identical records and so the points could allow either side to make a big jump up the table.

BBH started livelily, we could hardly string 3 passes together and everything was on the back foot. BBH smelt blood and attacked, taking the lead early doors from our own decisions really, I think a Johnston air kick at fault. 1-0. It did settle us down though and began to compose passes together, and grew into the game. BBH made a lot of effort in the initial press, and if we got out of that, big spaces were there for us. We equalised 10 mins later through a Stead delivery on the left-hand side, met by Ransome for his 2nd goal of the Season. A good header! 1-1. Wasn’t too long before our own problems allowed BBH to restore their lead, a Mayhew misplaced square ball left us exposed and the front 3 of BBH were very quick to react all afternoon and their obvious threat, 2-1. We equalised before e half was out when Wilford got to the byline on left-hand side who’s pulled back cross was tucked away well by Stead. 2-2 and went into the break.

A message to cut out silly mistakes and we felt we’d win the game... despite the instructions, we were 3-2 in a matter of minutes in the 2nd half. Plenty of time left but really frustrating all day all around defensively. BBH doubles their lead with 30 to play, again from the liveliness of the 3 forwards. Looking like the game was lost, the introduction of Billy Carney who’s dual signing from Chipstead this week looks to be a good one, and the welcomed return of Ben Connolly from a minor injury just before the start of the season. Both made impacts off the bench, both giving some sharp direct attacking options. We got one back from Carney’s direct run through the middle who fed Ransome for a cute reverse flick over the top for me to brings down and slide home. Think we are in dispute on whether Ransome was just trying to get his first touch under. We got back level 10 mins from time, another substitute in Jake Horn who returns from injury and back in the fold who’s cross/shot from the right-hand side found the far top corner, very fortunate but he got his due fine for claiming a shot. 4-4 and there was only one winner from there, 3 at the back, 3 forwards on and wing backs in high areas... we were pushing for the points. The only danger was Fender for BBH on the counter who could get himself isolated one on one up the other end. We pushed, pushed and pushed, but didn’t find what we needed. After a couple of warning signs from BBH on the counter, they took their chance in what seemed to be the last second of the game (95th Minute), looked clearly offside which many spectators seemed to agree, obvious call, but Fender took his chance and completed his hat-trick to snatch all 3 points. 5-4 FT

Never led in the game and maybe on the strength of that, BBH will feel just. But we can’t help that feel our own decisions and problems along with some calls that really didn’t go our way, coinciding with getting level 10 minutes to go and really looked like going on to win the game, a really gutting feeling.

I suppose the best bit about this league is that we can get back in action and try and correct it as quick as possible with our next game on Tuesday night. We must take every positive we can from the game though, 4 goals away from home is big considering we didn’t know where the goals would come from after the opening 3 games. Welcomed return for players improving the squad depth and even the completion for starting places. And there is still a very long season to be played.

We host Eastbourne Town at East Grinstead FC on Tuesday evening, who are currently 3 points above us, and from what I gather, have promotion bid ambitions. A much-improved performance from the one at Raynes Park Vale, and hopefully we’ll get ourselves over the line on Tuesday to really get us into a winning habit.

Thanks for all the travelled support and hope to see you all in full voice on Tuesday Night, Up The Lingers

Sammy Clements