THE LINGERS’ REVIVAL GATHERS PACE DESPITE TWO PENALTY MISSES

Dean lambasted his listless Lingfield players at the interval, trailing 1-0 to another early goal, inspiring another superb second-half fightback from his new-look side following an extraordinary three-goal six-minute salvo midway through the decisive period.

Indeed, the hosts could even afford to miss two penalties and still maintain momentum as ninth-placed pipped eighth-placed to keep interest alive in a previously flagging season.

Lingfield went behind again almost inevitably after only 13 minutes as unmarked Graham Bush shot home at the far post, giving giant goalkeeper Rob O’Hara no chance.

It should have been the wake-up call which was needed again but instead Lingfield meandered their way through the first half, lacking urgency, and even squandered an 18th minute penalty. Impressive referee Michael Lowe adjudged that Dan Miller had fouled man of the match Harry Sintim in the penalty area, but returning captain Gareth Graham, back from holidaying in America, saw his spot-kick saved by Sam Joyce who went the right way.

Ever excellent Joel O’Hara then went close on 24 minutes when his far post effort was saved by Joyce from just under the crossbar for a throw-in.

After half an hour furious Dean called his players’ performance “shocking” and the blue touchpaper was being lit for the decisive interval team talk.

At the change around off went ineffective debutant striker Hanif Boyle, from Chipstead, and on came recent youth team debutant hat-trick hero Alfie Hammond, 17, from Burgess Hill Town, enlivening The Lingers considerably.

The equaliser arrived eventually after 68 minutes, outstanding debutant striker Richard Wetton, 19, from Dorking, a scaffolder by trade, scaling new heights by firing home at the far post following Graham’s free-kick which had led to Hammond heading against the crossbar with a frantic goalmouth scramble ensuing.

A minute later Lingfield led when Wetton crossed from the right for O’Hara to head home at the far post.

The Lingers were in dreamland after 74 minutes when back to his best winger Sintim, who received his celebratory bottle of champagne from club official David Groves afterwards, climaxed a surging run by shooting home inside the far post, giving Joyce no chance.

Even this lot were unlikely to throw away this one and home debutant youth team leading goalscorer Sam Clements and last gasp substitute Dominic Lugard freshened things up nicely.

Impressive young centre-back David “Alfie” Dean, who succeeded Graham as captain late on, even found time to miss an 83rd minute spot-kick awarded following James Parsons’ foul on the influential Wetton in the box. The manager’s son’s penalty was saved by Joyce before Dean’s follow-up attempt rebounded to safety off the bar to round off another thrilling day at the office for The Lingers.

By David Groves