Lancing Starting XI

Taylor Seymour, Conrad Honoure, Dave Sharman, Liam Hendy, Mo Juwara, Mike Williamson, Tom Caplin (Capt.) James Rhodes, Mitch Hewens, Alex Fair, Brad Santos

Substitutes: Josh Coupar, Kyle Woolven, Omar Bukleb, George Mitchell-Phillips, David Altendorff

With suspensions for Lew Finney and Kane Louis and injuries to James Beresford and George Fenton, sustained in the Eastbourne Town game, Naim was thankful to have the resources which enabled him to field a team with sufficient talent to more than make up for these losses. Conrad Honoure, who had performed so well against Eastbourne, coming on as a substitute in the full back position retained his place. There was also a place on the bench for exciting new signing Kyle Woolven. The experience of Dave Sharman and Liam Hendy as centre backs was to prove instrumental in ensuring that there was a dependable core at the back. AL Fair was back to lead the forward line.

It was Al who set the ball rolling with barely 3 minutes on the clock when Mitch Hewens was adjudged by referee Carl Smith to have been barged over just inside the penalty area. The penalty was despatched confidently into the roof of the net. To add to their woes, a second penalty, clearer cut than the first one, was conceded when Conrad Honoure’s determined run to the bye line was ended when he was tripped. AL stepped up again but keeper Mitchell Bromage guessed correctly to bring off a good save.

Lancing were enjoying sustained possession, switching the play from flank to flank. Tom Caplin, Mike Williamson and James Rhodes were pulling the strings and using the pace of Conrad, Mitch, Mo and Brad to constantly stretch and probe the Heath defence.

Lancing were knocking on the door with Al Fair coming close and a good cross from Brad Santos having switched flanks with Mitch Hewens being almost diverted as an og.

Heath were obviously aware of the attacking threat posed by Lancing and came with a defensive formation leaving only one man upfront. When they did manage to secure the ball, possession was wasted by some poor passing. It was fully 34 minutes before they managed a meaningful goal attempt but Taylor Seymour was equal to it. Heath were defending in numbers well and had to thank keeper Bromage for a number of fine saves. The first half finished with Bromage keeping out shots from Brad Santos and Al Fair.

The second half saw Kyle Woolven making his debut for James Rhodes. Lancing continued where they had left off and Brad came close on 51 minutes with a stunner of a shot which struck the upright. Jake Hull worked himself into a good shooting position for Heath, but he pulled the ball wide of the far post and Taylor was able to watch it go out of play. Disappointing for Lancing were the yellow cards awarded to Liam Hendy and Mo Juwara on 58 and 59 minutes but worse was to befall Lancing when Mitch Hewens was floored with a hefty barge in the back, which left him prone on the ground for several minutes, before being helped off looking distinctly groggy. George Mitchell-Phillips came on with 30 minutes left.5 minutes later Kyle marked his debut in grand style weaving his way past three players and rifling a shot into the roof of the net. After a long absence through injury, sustained in his debut game, Josh Coupar made a return in place of Brad Santos on 73 minutes. A further booking was received for a harmless looking challenge by Mike Williamson on 76 minutes.

There was still time for Lancing to add to the score sheet in the dying minutes when George Mitchell-Phillips made a good break down the right and pulled the ball back perfectly for Al Fair to make amends for his penalty miss by picking his spot in the bottom corner to seal a three nil win.

A thoroughly convincing win by Lancing. The score line flattered the visitors but they put up a stern resistance backed up by a fine goal keeping display by Mitchell Bromage. A worrying sight was the injury to Mitch Hewens, who has been in great form in recent games. There was some classy defending on show from Dave Sharman and the majestic Liam Hendy, albeit there was limited attacking to contend with. Another pleasing performance at full back from Conrad Honoure. So, yet again, several candidates for MOM but a true captain’s display came from the ever-consistent Tom Caplin, an excellent partner for the dynamic Mike Williamson, both of whom broke up play well and set the Lancing attacks in motion.

A word of praise for a great turn out and vocal support by the Ultras. And thanks to the generosity shown by those who bought raffle tickets, the proceeds of which were donated to the injured Alex Bygraves.

Dave Wilmott

Man of the Match: Tom Caplin

Attendance: 138

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