Simon Funnell’s East Grinstead Town were brimming with pride following The Wasps’ recent £100,000 funding boost, while Dixie Dean’s patched up counterparts’ squad made the most of player unavailability due to train reductions over the Christmas period.

The likes of Harry Sintim and Marco Mwanza were missed sorely by The Lingers who had to give second best eventually to more formidable firepower and increased substitution options in front of a 102-strong crowd.

But Dean remained rightly proud of his players’ performance afterwards, seeing plenty of positive signs despite defeat against the villagers’ near neighbours who had worked wonders to get this match played following the nightmare weather scenario in the build-up to the festive period.

Yet it could all have been so different for The Lingers if only lively newcomer Richard Wetton’s spectacular 35 yard strike had found the net after 18 minutes instead of rebounding to safety off the crossbar. Indeed, talented ex-Dorking prospect Wetton had gone close after only six minutes, shooting just wide with only goalkeeper Mark Fox to beat, squandering a golden chance.

The deadlock was broken crucially after 33 minutes when Sam Schaff shot home the only goal of the game, flicking the ball wide of giant goalkeeper Rob O’Hara inside the far post following George Hiller-Jones’ cross from the left. Shortly afterwards, captain Gareth Graham’s cross from the left saw Joel O’Hara’s far post header go over with Fox to beat.

Then it was The Wasps’ turn to curse their luck on 42 minutes when dangerman striker Schaff’s shot rebounded to safety via the far post, having beaten O’Hara, who was in fine form again, from a position left of the goal.

The Lingers’ late arrival Josh Coulson provided a more experienced attacking threat, replacing talented striker Alfie Hammond after 54 minutes, but sadly, despite their good intentions, the visitors failed to produce any second-half chances as The Wasps shuffled their pack to strong effect.

Indeed, in the second of four additional minutes, East Grinstead Town squandered a golden opportunity to seal success when Hiller-Jones centred again from the left only for Matt Geard to fire over an open goal to The Lingers’ relief.

Lingfield: Rob O’Hara, Dean Carden, Dan Frith, Gareth Graham (capt), David Dean, Jay Kalama, Harry Boultwood, Richard Wetton, Alfie Hammond (Josh Coulson 54 mins), Joel O’Hara, Sam Clements. Unused sub: Darren Maziere.

Man of the match: Jay Kalama.

By David Groves

East Grinstead v Lingfield Match Day Photos