With a mass of postponements last season due to waterlogged pitches the U23 fixture programme was not completed and for The Lingers this was a second uncompleted season. So this season has seen an earlier start for the U23s with three fixtures during the month of August.

The opening fixture was a trip to our home for last season, Horley Town. It was a physical encounter with the home side picking up five yellow cards and a red. The Lingers took the lead with a goal from Ellis Newbold in the first half. Ben Bayoko scored a second goal towards the end of the match and it was 2-2 as the final whistle approached but with the last kick Horley scored to take a 3-2 win.

It was then on to the wooded home of Loxwood on a lovely summer's evening as a gusty wind blew a mixture of drizzle and light rain across the ground throughout the match. It was a rather disjointed performance in the first half as passes were going astray and the lads were struggling to get a rhythm going. Standing off Loxwood midway through the half allowed a shot from outside the box to find the net for 1-0. The Lingers fired out of the blocks early in the second half as Archie Foy equalised on 49 minutes. Two minutes later Ben Bayoko scored to put us 2-1 up. A couple of minutes later he slotted home a penalty for 3-1 and to complete the second half blitz Ramone Reyhan Lewis scored a fourth goal on 64 minutes. Loxwood only sparked back into life as the final whistle approached with a penalty to make it 4-2 but Adam Nicholson in goal had other ideas. The shot was at a nice height to his right except he had dived to his left but he was able to deflect the ball away with his legs - a brilliant save. With added time being played we gave Loxwood another chance from the spot but this time to ball flew high over the bar and so it was a nice 4-1 win.

It was another evening on the road to play a Hassocks team that had won both their first games. Hassocks were edging the first half but the lads were battling hard and got a reward when Aaron Kiberu headed home from a deadball on 20 minutes. The rest of the half was fairly even until Khavarn Williams found himself in space and slotted home for 2-0. With half time approaching we failed to defend a long free kick and with a free header Hassocks made it 2-1. The goal fired up Hassocks as they really had us under pressure for the first ten or so minutes of the second half but the lads weathered the storm and were able to move out of our half. Into the final fifteen minutes and a third goal from Ramone Reyhan Lewis ensured there was no way back for Hassocks and it was another win for The Lingers.

Lingfield sit in third place behind Hassocks on goal difference and ahead of Roffey and Broadbridge Heath also on goal difference as all teams have six points. Having won all their matches, Horley Town top the table. September brings another four matches starting with a trip to Horsham YMCA next Thursday followed by a first home fixture against our hosts Oakwood. A chance to gain revenge comes up next with another visit to Horley Town in the U23 Challenge Cup. The final match of the month is a home game against Broadbridge Heath.