Peacehaven v Lingfield

After an impressive first half they made heavy work of seeing off their rumbustuous opponents, and there was a sense of relief when Ryan Bradley's penalty wrapped up the win.

After a summer of growing expectations at Piddinghoe Avenue there was a fear that a false start would puncture the optimism that has built up recently. Thankfully that was avoided, but there's no denying that there is still plenty of scope for improvement. However the points were what mattered here, with the games coming thick and fast at this time of the season.

The biggest question in the run up to the match centred around Pete Edwards starting line up. With over twenty first team players available he was spoiled for choice, and it was an intriguing selection. Jake Buss, Carl Dunk and Wes Millis all came straight into the starting line up, with Aaron Gunn lining up in midfield. Craig Hall was wearing the captain's armband, with Tom Levitt amongst the substitutes. The biggest casualty was Scott Marshall, who didn't even make the bench.

Lingfield had made the headlines in midweek with their eye catching capture of former Brighton striker Nicky Forster. He wasn't available for this match, but his signing had certainly injected a sense of excitement in the visiting ranks.
Lingfield will need a striker of his prowess if their defence remains as generous as they were in the first half. Their offside trap was less than convincing, and Ryan Bradley and Craig Bunch were bearing down on goal with alarming regularity.

It was thus no surprise when Peacehaven took the lead. Dunk's low cross fizzed across the six yard box, and whilst Rob O'Toole was unable to supply a finishing touch, Bradley was on hand to tap in a simple first of the season.

The direct approach saw The Tye double their lead shortly afterwards. Buss's quick clearance put Bradley in the clear, and he played in Bunch for another simple finish.

Lingfield gambled from the start of the second half, playing with three strikers and pushing Peacehaven back. There was nothing subtle about their approach, with the ball going forward early and often, but it's hard to play against, and it was giving Peacehaven real problems. Having lost their control of midfield Peacehaven were getting camped inside their own half, and had Lingfield had a forward of Forster's ability they would surely have scored.

As it was Peacehaven managed to weather the storm, and in fairness they were still the team creating the better chances. Had Aaron Gunn found the target from inside the box they would have wrapped up the win, but eventually the match swung their way again.

With Lingfield over committing as time ran out, Bunch was brought down by Tom Hughes. Hughes was then sent off and a penalty was given. Bradley tucked it home, and Peacehaven breathed a collective sigh of relief.