EP win at division-higher Lingfield

It capped an up-and-down past seven days for EP, who beat Division 2 leaders AFC Uckfield in the league a week ago on Saturday, but lost 4-0 to local rivals Arundel in the Sussex Senior Cup the following Tuesday.

Nevertheless, it did end on a high as they overcame their division-higher opponents in the second round of the competition.

Lingfield made the more positive start and went close on a couple of occasions – they just failed to get on the end of a cross, and Billy Rutherford headed straight at Guy Souch when well placed.

It was EP, however, who took the lead. Andy Bainbridge scored from an excellent free kick on the edge of the box to put them ahead on 19 minutes.

Further Lingfield chances went begging as Souch made a couple of good saves, while he was also saved by his crossbar when it was struck from a free kick.

Lingfield finally got back on level terms in the 43rd minute when Kris Barry hit home, finishing from a cross.

The home side again started the second half with the momentum and Souch was called into action on a number of occasions, while an EP attack saw them hit the upright.

EP regained the lead in the 70th minute after a foul in the box saw Bainbridge step up to convert his second of the match.

Eight minutes later, they sealed their place in the next round as a mix-up in the Lingfield defence saw John Lawson head home into an empty net.

EP entertain Bexhill in County League Division 2 action on Saturday.

EAST PRESTON: Souch; Steck, Sutcliffe, Stideford; Howard, Bainbridge, Manning, Charman, Burgess; Lawson, Banfield. Subs: Davies, Curtis, Lewis.