The game had everything: two sending offs for Peacehaven, five different Peacehaven scorers, the first ever sin bin, a bizarre opening goal for the visitors and Peacehaven playing half hour of the second period one man down and for fifteen minutes of the second half two men down.

It also saw a brace of goals from Charlie Lambert, four other Peacehaven players hitting the back of the net plus the first appearance of Cam Wiltshire this season after sustaining an injury in pre-season. Wiltshire came off the bench in the second half and was only on the field a couple of minutes when he scored a brilliant individual goal.

The visitors came to The Sports Park having hit nine goals without reply in their first two league games and on paper looked formidable opponents.

Manager Mark Shutt had defensive issues with several injuries and unavailability to deal with. He gave a first start to former Haven favourite from a couple of years ago Acer Wake. He performed heroically and efficiently throughout.

The game saw Peacehaven go behind with just eight minutes played in the most bizarre of fashion. Lingfield’s Conor Wilford lobbed the ball into the box which under normal circumstances Haven keeper Alieu Secka would have gobbled up. Somehow, Secka slipped and the ball went over his head for the first goal.

At this point Haven fans were worried that they could be in for a long afternoon. But on 19 minutes Charlie Lambert (pictured) hit a screamer from 20 yards to even things up and settle the home fans’ nerves. The strike did his confidence the power of good after his penalty miss on Tuesday night.

And two minutes later it was 2-1 to Peacehaven after Matt Cheeseman was fouled in the box and the impressive Jake Brocklebank made no mistake from the spot.

With half an hour played Josh Marshall then got himself on the score sheet as he intercepted a pass and calmly slotted home from seven yards to make it 3-1.

It was now all Peacehaven and the Lingfield back line were struggling to contain the duel threat of Mikey Lloyd and Marshall.

And then on 44 minutes there was a potential game-changing decision. Josh Marshall was sent off. He was fouled and in the melee which followed he raised his arms after being raked down the calf and for the retaliation was sent off. Peacehaven now had an almighty task ahead of them to preserve their lead.

Half time: Peacehaven & Telscombe 3, Lingfield 1.

Haven fans were worried they were in for a long second period with one man down, but with just two minutes played of the second period Lambert struck again from just inside the box to make it 4-1. Peacehaven now had some breathing space and daylight between them and their visitors.

But then on 56 minutes history was made when Cheeseman received a sin bin for swearing and was off the field for ten minutes. This is the first season which sin bins have been introduced at step 5. Peacehaven were now down to nine men and potentially in trouble.

With their numerical advantage Lingfield pinned back Peacehaven and Secka made two huge saves to keep Haven in the game. The game had taken on the look of a training match with attack v defence.

On 66 minutes with Cheeseman back in the game he made an immediate impression as he surged forward and put Lloyd through, but his shot went wide.

With 20 minutes left to play Cam Wiltshire came on for the excellent Scott Marshall who had been quietly and efficiently going about his business all afternoon, and made an immediate impact. He’d only been on the field a couple of minutes when he picked the ball up on the edge of the box. He skipped past three Lingfield players before dispatching the ball past the keeper to make it 5-1.

With fifteen minutes left to play Lambert, who had been brilliant all afternoon, went off and was replaced by George Olulode. He had only been on the field for six minutes when he controlled a Cheeseman cross to fire home from six yards to make it 6-1 and make the game well and truly safe.

But the drama wasn’t over. On 84 minutes Jake Le Grange received a second yellow card for a tackle on Blake Pickett. All the crowd could see there was no malicious intention in his challenge, Le Grange just had eyes for the ball and collided with the Lingfield player and was given a second yellow card. Peacehaven were now down to nine men for the second time in the game.

In the 86th minute the visitors did pull one back with a header but by then it was game over.

Once more the whole team needs to be commended for their hard work, resilience and sheer effort and were rewarded with their biggest win for several seasons.

Peacehaven & Telscombe: Secka, Kinkene, Bant, Marshall, Wake, Le Grange, Lloyd, Brocklebank, Lambert, Cheesman, Marshall. Subs: Olulade, Leach, Massen, White, Wiltshire (Cam).
Attendance: 132.

Peacehaven are next in action on Tuesday evening when Langney Wanderers are the visitors. The game kicks-off at 7.45pm.