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.

Alex Laing got on the wrong side of referee James Colley a second time but earned a ticking off and, thankfully, nothing more.

Lukas Franzen-Jones was again put through and able to strike for goal but had his shot deflected for a corner. A rare slip by Gillmore saw him fail to hold on to the ball from the corner but he quickly recovered to reclaim it from Sam Bull.

As half-time approached Lancing got their reward for some good attacking play. Noel Fisher was solid into a tackle, winning the ball before laying it off to Franzen-Jones who wasted no time in hitting a dipping shot from 30 yards, which deceived Gillmore on its way into the roof of the net.

A second goal looked on for Franzen-Jones as he closed in onto the ball being flicked goal wards by Charlie Bennett but it ran away from him. Lancing maintained the pressure on The Deres in added time and a well struck drive from Noel Fisher brought a good save from Gillmore but the ball ran clear from him to Ben Pope who reacted by steering the ball home as he fell.

With the second half only seven minutes old, Lancing stretched their lead to three goals. Ben Pope rose to the ball at the edge of the box putting defender Rob Strachan under pressure, with the ball dropping to Lukas Franzen-Jones who coolly stroked the ball past Gillmore, giving the Deres a mountain to climb.

Lancing took the opportunity to rest Sam Bull, bringing on Dan Howick on 56 minutes. Noel Fisher continued to torment the opposition with another strong run which took him to the edge of the box, finishing with a shot heading for goal until deflected. Knory Scott took his cue from this and his close control took him into the box with a finish which was blocked behind for a corner.

Scott, revelling in his call up for The Bermudan National team and their forthcoming fixtures against Brunei and Guinea, was showing his international class with his trickery with the ball at his feet, and weaved his way through a couple of defenders but was fouled as he was about to pull the trigger.

Charlie Gibson, whose left foot had been put to good use as he passed the ball out from the back, was given the responsibility of taking the free-kick. It took a magnificent save from Gillmore to keep out Gibson’s effort which was curling into the top corner and which would have earned him his first goal of the season.