FAMILY FORTUNES TAKE A TURN FOR THE WORST AS LINGERS CRASH

Young David Dean, nicknamed Alfie, who had only replaced hard working Dan Oakins after 82 minutes, was dismissed by under fire referee Jamie Gilham following an apparent retaliation on full-time, The Lingers’ manager Dixie Dean criticising his son forcibly as he left the field.

Yet ironically Dean senior was also banished, this time from the dug-out, in the first of six additional minutes following a prolongued argument with Gilham which ended bitterly with the boss’ removal from the sidelines.

It was a distasteful finish to the match, Lingfield suffering their first away league defeat of the season so far, fielding a depleted side. Mid-table Newhaven took full advantage of their fourth-placed visitors’ frustrations, despite being outplayed for long periods of the game in a sumptuous setting as seagulls swooped against the background of the docks and rolling scenery.

The Lingers paid a heavy price for their continuing striking shortage which boss Dean must address urgently if such a promising season is not to slip away from the village club which has carried on punching above its weight in recent seasons under his stewardship.

Injuries sidelined influential captain Gareth Graham and Hidekazu Sato, while fellow midfielder Daryl Coleman was serving a one-match suspension. With Jake Hill having rejoined Dorking Wanderers and Craig Pitterson being unavailable, centre-back Fred Fleming became captain but was cautioned along with defensive partner Jay Kalama, while Newhaven did not receive any bookings surprisingly.

The visitors made a nightmare start, trailing after only two minutes as Mark Probert fired home from 18 yards, giving goalkeeper Dan Burnett no chance inside his far post.

Lingfield then took control but contrived to squander several chances, being punished again in the third minute of first-half stoppage-time, Tyler Goatcher shooting home past Burnett from close range for a 2-0 interval lead.

The arrears were reduced after 67 minutes, Kalama netting at the near post after the influential Oakins had flicked on Jamie Lawrence’s left-wing corner.

Yet a minute later all that hard work was undone instantly as Goatcher grabbed his second goal after the visitors’ defence had been cut open.

Ryan Knight set the seal on The Dockers’ emphatic success after 71 minutes, firing home again.

Then came the last-gasp drama as a simmering pot boiled over, leaving Lingfield with plenty to contemplate on their long journey back home.

By David Groves