MAN OF THE MATCH ALFIE HAS THE LAST LAUGH ON LINGFIELD CRITICS WITH TWO GOAL SALVO
MAN of the match David ‘Alfie’ Dean enjoyed the last laugh on his critics with a two goal salvo during Lingfield’s extraordinary nine-goal thriller defeat at rainswept Godstone Road last Thursday.
The young makeshift striker showed his versatility following a superb second half showing for his father Dixie Dean’s faltering first team, suffering a surprise setback against second from bottom Hailsham Town. Dean has clearly been angered by some criticism of his son since being drafted into the senior side earlier this season.
Recalled Richard Wetton put the hosts ahead after 32 minutes with a spectacular 25-yard strike which gave goalkeeper Sheldon Levett no chance, bringing an angry outburst from fiery visiting manager Andy Goodchild after Hailsham had threatened early on.
However, a minute later Sam Divall’s lob levelled and another two minutes afterwards Lingfield’s defence disintegrated again, allowing Steve Dallaway to give the strugglers an unexpected lead which they held until the interval.
The hosts substituted captain Gareth Graham with Tony Langridge at half-time following a bad first-half challenge on him, while late arrival Harry Sintim was introduced to the frenetic action.
Striker Wetton was carried off with a serious knee injury, being replaced by Harry Cox after 54 minutes, prompting the switch of Dean to lead an even more severely depleted attack.
Captain Andy Whittingham capitalised by making it 3-1 on 56 minutes, becoming 4-1 seven minutes later through Harry Ludlow who fired home the rebound after goalkeeper Scott Millar had parried the initial effort.
A further four minutes later dominant Dean inspired the fightback, cutting the arrears by shooting home at the far post. Dean completed his brave brace on 81 minutes, firing home from substitute Langridge’s left-wing corner, setting up an exciting finale.
But Dallaway’s second goal in the first minute of stoppage-time secured success, although inevitably goal a game youth team leading scorer Sammy Clements had the final word, rifling home in the third of four added minutes, bringing down the curtain on this epic affair.
Man of the match: David Dean.
By David Groves
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