Lancing Starting XI
Mitch Bromage, Darius Goldsmith, Will Berry, Mo Juwara, Darren Budd, Ebou Jallow, Finn Daniels-Yeoman, Matt Daniel, Ben Connolly, Mitch Hewens

Subs: Drew Matthews, Kane Louis, Tom Caplin, Bradley Campbell-Francis, Josh Gould
Both sides observed a minute’s silence in honour of HRH Prince Phillip.

This was the first match for both teams in Group B of the Supplementary Shield which was formed to provide some competitive football, following the cessation of the SCFL Premier. Lancing, Steyning, Pagham and East Preston will play each other home and away. The winners will meet the winners of the Hassocks, Crawley Down, Lingfield and Horley group in the semi-final.

Lancing enjoyed a good spell of possession early on and were camped in the opposition half for most of the first 20 minutes. Several half chances fell Lancing’s way. In the fourth minute Darius Goldsmith put in an excellent cross from the right to the far post but it just eluded the onrushing Ebou Jallow. Lancing won a succession of corners on the right and Mitch Hewens was played in with short corners making a bee line for the goal. But each effort was either saved, blocked or put wide.

Quite against the run of play, East Preston took the lead on 21 minutes. Mitch Hewens lost possession just outside the Lancing penalty area and in his desperation to win the ball back he was adjudged to have committed a foul. This was a dangerous place to concede, as East Preston had several tall players who were a threat at set pieces. This proved to be the case. The ball was floated to the far post and headed back across the face of the goal to be met by a firm header by No.9 Harry Margeson who powered it out of Mitch’s reach.

Lancing were not thrown out of their rhythm by this set back and continued to mount attacks on the East Preston goal. A good break by Will Berry saw him play a  ball into the six-yard box but Lancing could not apply the finishing touch. Matt Daniel came close with a shot which just cleared the cross bar but eventually pressure paid off. Darren Budd reached the bye line and hit a pass across the face of the goal, invitingly for Finn Daniels-Yeoman who rammed the ball home on 41 minutes. Darren Budd was involved again, feeding Mitch who crossed to the near post where it was met by Matt Daniel, but he was unable to hit the target.

Lancing made three immediate substitutions for the second half. Tom Caplin, Josh Gould, Bradley Campbell-Francis replaced Mitch Hewens, Matt Daniel and Finn Daniels-Yeoman. Within three minutes Lancing were in front. Darren Budd took a free kick just outside the home penalty box which was aimed towards Ben Connolly, whose movement in front of the keeper was enough to distract the keeper, leaving him rooted to the spot as the ball crossed the line into the net.

Darren then blotted his copy book. Annoyed by being penalised for a perceived handball, when it had plainly struck him full in the face, he showed his annoyance by kicking the ball away. Needless to say, he earned a yellow card.

Bradley was full of running and, supported by Mo Juwara, who had once again been difficult to handle with his power and pace, made inroads into the home defence. Brad opened up the defence before slipping the ball to the overlapping Ebou, whose close-range shot lacked the power to trouble the keeper.

With 30 minutes to go Kane Louis came on for Darren Budd.  Josh Gould was seeing a lot of the ball at this point. He let fly from 25 yards forcing the keeper to palm the ball upwards. Brad got his head to the ball which was only half cleared, falling to Ben.  His goal bound volley was charged down and cleared to safety. Josh showed his close dribbling skill getting into a shooting position but was harshly penalised for an old-fashioned shoulder barge.

Lancing continued to pile on the pressure.  Ben rounded the keeper to get to the bye line forcing the keeper to concede another corner, which was cleared. The ball reached Tom Caplin whose shot was deflected for a corner. Will Berry got his head to the cross but could not find the net.

Drew Matthews replaced the excellent Darius Goldsmith with 10 minutes to go. Brad continued to run at the home defence at every opportunity. Strong play by Mo enabled him to resist some foul play and set Brad in on goal. He was clearly tripped as he was about to let fly. The referee appeared to allow advantage to Lancing following the foul on Mo but seemed to have been unsighted, causing him to miss what would surely have been a penalty award to Lancing with a couple of minutes left. Brad was undeterred by this and completed a fine one two move with Ben but could only hit the side netting.

A dominant display by Lancing gave them a well-deserved win and they now look forward to the next round at home to Pagham.

Some good performances all round  but some frustration that, despite much activity in the opposing penalty area, they were unable to increase their goal tally. Some sterling defence and a crowded penalty area was largely to blame plus a rather difficult playing surface.

The Lancing back four were faultless. Mo was a constant threat with his forward runs and Darius oozed class. Excellent positional play. Always ready and willing to receive the ball, able to get forward in support as Lancing advanced towards the opposing penalty area and precision with his passing.

The small group of committee members selected him as their MOM.
Finally, a word of thanks to our hosts for a welcoming hot drink on our arrival.

Match Reporter: Dave Wilmott

Our thanks to Lancing FC Committee Member Dave for his report.