Pitching In Isthmian League
South East Division Saturday 5.11.2022
Sevenoaks Town – 3 Lancing – 0
Lancing Starting XI:
Alieu Secka, Jake LeGrange, Tom Butler, Marcus Allen, Mohamed Joumaa Zabadne, Finn Daniels-Yeoman (Capt.), Darius Goldsmith, Reece Hallard, Tyrone Madhani, Ashley Mutongerwa, Tommy Boyle.
Substitutes: Kane Louis, Ollie Starkey, Sean Stephenson, Owen Spicer, Faris Khallouqi
Lancing’s successful run came to an end in the rain at the Bourne Stadium after conceding three second half goals away to Sevenoaks (The Oaks).
Two changes were made from the side which secured three points at home to Corinthian. Alieu Secka returned between the posts and Tommy Boyle took over from Ollie Starkey , who dropped to the bench.
The Oaks started at a terrific pace and, within the first minute, Alieu Secka came to his side’s rescue racing quickly from his line to make a point blank save from a few yards. The Oaks were moving the ball around at speed and making maximum use of their pace men on the flanks, Joshua Bohui on the left and Fumnaya Shomotun on the right.
Ashley Mutongerwa was Lancing’s main threat and the home defence had to work hard to contain him. He showed good close control, holding off defenders with his ability to shield the ball and lay it off to supporting runners and was making some intelligent runs into space. It was a good piece of possession from Ashley which provided Lancing’s first effort on goal as he slipped the ball to Tyrone Madhani but he fired wide. A clever flicked pass from Mo Zabadne set Ashley Mutongerwa clear on the right. He tried to pick out Tyrone Madahani unmarked wide on the left but his cross was overhit. Tyrone was able to recover the ball but his cross from the left cleared Ashley on the right.
The Oaks were on top for the first 25 minutes or so but Lancing gradually began to exert more control as the game moved into the latter stages of the half. The Oaks had taken the game to Lancing with their quick direct play, but the Lancing defence held firm, showing great concentration, closing down quickly and keeping goal bound efforts to a minimum.
The closest Lancing came to getting a goal came from a well flighted free kick from Darius Goldsmith which looked to be dropping in under the cross bar, until headed clear. Ashley Mutongerwa then had an effort from close range blocked clear for a corner.
The Oaks centre forward, Freddie Parker, was keeping the Lancing defence occupied as he was aiming for the goal at every opportunity. Tom Butler did well to block a fierce drive as Parker let fly on the turn.
Reece Hallard was on a powerful run through the Oaks half but was brought down by what looked like a rugby tackle from Joseph Bingham , which earned him a yellow card from referee Reece Pinchback. The first half ended with Joshua Bohui bursting forward on the left and firing with venom into the side netting.
Lancing had a promising start to the second half. Mo Zabadne delivered a long throw in, which was cleared straight back to him. He met it with volley from outside the box but it flew agonisingly wide of the far upright. Reece Hallard continued the attacking momentum with a determined break down the left, culminating a good cross which was headed clear.
Ten minutes into the second half, The Oaks got their noses in front from the penalty spot. Mo Zabadne , sliding in to make a tackle , brought his man down and no-one could seriously challenge the award of the spot kick. Up stepped danger man Freddie Parker. He had already shown the power in his shooting and it was no surprise to see the ball being driven into the net, with Alieu Secka having been sent the wrong way.
Lancing shrugged this off and made a determined effort to get back on level terms. Tyrone Madhani had a shot deflected towards the goal line, which was headed clear and Tommy Boyle had an effort on goal, which went wide.
Lancing were spared going two down when Freddie Parker had the ball in the net but an infringement in the build-up had been spotted. Tommy Boyle executed a good turn in the box, which provided him an opening for a left foot drive which was well saved by keeper Tyler McCarthy.
With 65 minutes on the clock, Freddie Parker capitalised on some hesitancy at the edge of the box by Alieu Secka. Alieu appeared to be uncertain whether the ball was in the box or outside and Parker seized the opportunity to take the ball around the keeper and bury it into the goal.
Reece Hallard tried his luck from distance but the ball cleared the cross bar.
Lancing brought on Kane Louis, Ollie Starkey and Sean Stephenson for Tommy Boyle, Mo Zabadne and Tyrone Madhani to provide fresh impetus for the latter stages.
Fumnaya Shomotun continued to use his pace to attack down Lancing’s left and a race between him and Finn Daniels-Yeoman resulted in a yellow card for the Lancing skipper as he lost his footing, tumbling in to Shomotun, bringing him down.
Lancing came close to pulling one back when a Darius Goldsmith free kick dropped on to the cross bar. Ollie Starkey had a good effort blocked, with the rebound falling to Marcus Allen but his effort was also blocked on the goal line.
Fumnaya Shomotun, who had scored on his debut for the Oaks in a mid-week draw against Burgess Hill, was finally rewarded for his fine performance, cutting in at pace from the right and firing in a shot which curled just inside the far upright.
This was the final nail in the coffin as the sides saw out 5 minutes of added time.
Two unfortunate goals gave Lancing a mountain to climb, the third goal deserved to be a match winner in its own right. Too many promising Lancing attacks led by Ashley Mutongerwa, in particular, failed to result in any serious test of the home keeper.
Lancing have now dropped one place to 11th, with Sevenoaks one place below on 12th.Lancing have 15 points with Sevenoaks on 14, but with two games in hand.
The intrepid small band of Lancing committee, who braved the poor driving conditions to make it to Sevenoaks opted for Ashley Mutongerwa as their MOM. Some fine defending was again in evidence but Ashley led the front line well. Always ready to make intelligent runs, taking up good positions and bringing others in to play. He was up against some strong defenders but did not shirk a challenge.
Dave Wilmott
