A difficult one to comment on, but must be done win, lose or draw.
0-4, 1-3, and now 0-3 at home in last 3 encounters just don’t justify our efforts and opportunities through each game. To Newhaven then, they too had exited from the League Cup via penalties midweek; but back in League action have been one of the stand out sides looking for that elusive Champions spot and promotion to the Boston League.
The game started in the fashion of recent form for both sides, a Fuller header onto Clements back into the path of Newhaven’s and League leading scorer Robinson to slide into the bottom left in off the post. 0-1 10mins gone. Despite this; we continued to engage our usual passing and progressive style, and eventually carving out some really big opportunities, mainly for Connolly. Clements straight ball for Connolly was quickly sniffed out by oncoming keeper. And Hodge down the right got to the byline and his cross wasn’t met with enough contact by Connolly. A Wilford delivery from the left was also narrowly missed in a great area. Woolven was next closest for Newhaven with an effort over the bar from the edge of the box. The half was seen out at just the single goal, but felt as though we’d done more than enough to be at least level.
The 2nd half, started just the same as the first. A Newhaven corner wasn’t cleared well enough only to the edge of the box, which Woolven met, Hodge slipped as he came out to press, but Woolven slashed it into the top left bins. 0-2. Key feature of the game was the dismissal of Jallow for a tackle on Bakhit that saw both players removed in the end as Ridley had to come on as a sub. We probed and prodded for a goal, Connolly at the heart of our chances again, but nothing coming. The more we pushed, the more liable to the counter. Robinson doubled his tally for the day on the counter late on with an individual effort cutting in from the right and a good strike. 0-3 and FT score at the Lair.
A gutting feeling in the life of a Linger of recent but another result we feel flattered the opposition. Sometimes the rub of the green just isn’t there, but we must come back mentally stronger and willing to run through and start creating our own luck again. A big good luck to Newhaven, and look forward to having another crack at them later on in the season.
Hassocks (A) up next for us Saturday. A huge game now as we have slipped to middle of the pack and playing a small bit of catch up on those near that 6th spot.
We hope to see all our continued support despite the closing in of winter! Up the Lingers