Jacques goals sees Magpies edge past Lingers in Peter Bentley Cup

A header from defender Clyde Jacques right at the start of the second half separated the two sides in an evenly-fought contest at Plaistow Road.

Magpies boss Mark Beard was pleased to get through to the next round from a testing tie. He said: “It was a really good game. I was really impressed with Lingfield.

“They are better than a lot of teams in our division. They like to play football and are coached the right way.

“They made it hard for us. When we had possession they had a game plan and sat back and hit us on the counter.

“It was an entertaining game that could have gone either way especially at the end when they had a couple of chances, but we had a hatful as well.

“We want to do well in every competition and it’s another clean sheet, another win and we played some good stuff which is always pleasing.”

Toby House fired wide and Sam Beard saw an effort saved by Olly Moore, before the Lingers made the first of their counter-attacking moves as Sam Smith turned Sam Bell’s effort behind.

Mark Cave had an effort cleared off the line from a Sam Beard cross, before a sliced Bell cross brushed the bar.

In the 47th-minute a Sam Beard corner was met by a Jacques header and crossed the line. Just three minutes later, Eddie French blocked a fierce Jake Horn drive and Bell then blazed over from close range.

At the other end, Moore tipped Rhyan Ramsey’s effort from the edge of the box onto the bar. Smith then held a couple of Lingfield chances and saw one sail just over, before Yassin Raman’s effort to give Loxwood breathing space was blocked on the line.

Charlie Pitcher has re-signed for the Magpies from Shoreham and could be in the squad for Saturday’s league trip to Lancing.

Loxwood: Smith, Summerfield, Scally, French, Jacques, Ramsey, Enticknapp, Napper, Beard, Cave, House. Subs: Raman, Haulkham, Colbran.