Sussex County League Division One
Chichester City 4 Lingfield 1
HOPE strings eternal for cash strapped Lingfield next season despite yet another defeat which was suffered at windswept Oaklands Park on Saturday.
This has been a nightmare start to 2014 for Dixie Dean's men, who have fallen from grace dramatically this season, but the green shoots of recovery were clearly in evidence even if the patched up visitors were blown off course again.
While mid-table City were worthy winners with their crisp passing movements and clinical finishing, plucky Lingfield enjoyed some encouraging individual performances but fell down crucially again in front of goal, costing them dearly once more.
The deadlock was broken, with spectators shielding their eyes from the intense sun, after 21 minutes when Tom Groom crossed from the right for Frazer Smith to open his account, shooting home from 20 yards inside the far post, giving back-up youth team goalkeeper Jason Wilson-Southwell no chance.
The hosts were unlucky on half-time when Julian Boniface's splendid near post turn and shot set up Groom whose follow up shot rebounded to safety off the crossbar.
Lingfield had to shuffle their pack, including replacing hamstrung Sam Clements with manager's son David Dean, nicknamed Alfie, who coped commendably in a second half midfield role, being flanked effectively by man of the match Harry Sintim and youth team starlet Harry Boultwood.
The visitors emerged as a different force after the break but trailed 2-0 after 64 minutes when influential Groom's 25 yard near post shot was fumbled by a clearly distraught Wilson-Southwell and Morgan Forry fired home the rebound from close range.
It became 3-0 on 78 minutes when Smith completed his brace, playing a clever one-two with Forry before rounding the young custodian and shooting home.
Far from demoralised, Lingfield kept trying to play their football only to be caught cold again after 87 minutes as Joe Gromett beat Wilson-Southwell following two-goal hero Smith's through ball.
From the re-start, substitute Dan Adjei thundered home a 25 yard near post shot, his fine finish from out of the blue leaving keeper Anthony Ender helpless and providing Lingfield with a deserved consolation goal following their spirited efforts.
But City were in rampant form, nearly adding another goal in the third stoppage-time minute allowed by impressive referee Alexander Fisher. Tommy Lee Smith's superb near post run and shot rebounded to safety off the bar with fellow substitute Ollie Brookes skying the rebound agonisingly.
Lingfield will reflect on recalled striker Josh Coulson being caught offside too often, hampering their efforts, although an altered defence, with left back Marco Mwanza impressing in particular, coped commendably despite this emphatic defeat.
Lingfield: Jason Wilson-Southwell, Tony Langridge, Marco Mwanza, Harry Cox, Jay Kalama (capt), Harry Boultwood, Harry Sintim, Sean Clarke (Dan Adjei 34 mins), Ben Alexander, Josh Coulson, Sam Clements (David Dean 45 mins). Unused sub: Darren Maziere.
Man of the match: Harry Sintim.
