Lancing back on track in play-off race – Worthing United and Wick warm up nicely for showdown

Lancing 3 Erith and Belvedere 1

Isthmian south east

by Dave Wilmott

After two successive draws against lower opposition, Lancing were anxious to get back on the winning trail. Having experienced how a team at the bottom of the table could mount a determined challenge, Lancing expected that the Deres would be desperate to close the four-point gap between them and Phoenix, just outside the relegation zone.

Lancing were well prepared by the coaching team tactically, mentally and physically, having faced a strong Worthing Utd. in a midweek friendly, which they won 3-1. With George Taggart, and Charlie Pitcher not having recovered from their injuries and Destiny Ojo carrying a slight muscle strain after the friendly, some changes were necessary, so in came skipper Alex Laing, and Charlie Gibson as full backs and Ben Pope to partner Lukas Franzen-Jones in a twin spearhead.

The Deres were a little over eager trying to make their mark early in the game giving away a couple of fouls and this was to prove a pattern of their play as they mounted up 6 yellow cards before the game ended. But, on a positive note, they did have the first serious attempt on goal with well struck snapshot from 25 yards from Macey Mallon which flew narrowly too high.

Lukas Franzen-Jones had Lancing’s first effort on goal, swivelling on to a pass but firing wide of the upright. Franzen-Jones and Charlie Bennett combined to attack down the right winning a corner. Charlie Gibson’s in swinger reached Sam Bull just beyond the far post but his attempt to slice the ball in at the near post went wide.

Lancing came close to conceding from a well driven free-kick from Dave Martin but Louis Rogers, at full stretch, made an excellent save. It was Jordan Gillmore’s turn to show his skill between the posts, making a good save from Franzen-Jones who latched on to a through ball from Alex Laing. Charlie Bennett was just beaten to the ball, palmed away by Gilmore.

Knory Scott was seeing plenty of the ball and initiating some good build up play. He was able to get forward well and lay the ball off to Charlie Bennett who tried his luck from distance without success.

The Deres threatened with a burst down the right and a cross into the box. Charlie Bennett rose above everyone to clear the ball behind for a corner and followed this by another header to send the ball away from the box as it came in from the corner. Sam Bull won possession at the edge of the Lancing box and ate up some yards advancing forward before putting Charlie Bennett within shooting range.

The move ended disappointingly as Bennett cleared the bar. He looked to be about to put himself in position for another effort on goal, breaking over the half way line before being tripped by Dan Parkinson, earning himself the first caution of the match.

Both Noel Fisher and Knory Scott were showing an ability to take on the opposition, twisting and turning keeping the ball glued to their feet, and getting into the opposing half before feeding the ball to Lancing’s twin strikers. A foul on Ben Pope by Cameron Andrews brought a second caution for the Deres and this was quickly followed by Alex Laing offending and receiving a yellow card.

Lancing were under pressure from a series of corners. Louis Rogers met the ball in with a punch clear, leading to a second corner, Alex Laing heading away but reaching the corner taker who curled a cross into the six-yard box which Rogers was able to, again, punch behind for corner which was met with a volley which flew wide.