Lancing still await our first win of the season but will take heart from a much improved performance.
It was a second cup exit in the space of a week as an early Southall penalty proved enough for the Isthmian South Central side to set up a tie with our divisional rivals Burgess Hill.
Jamie made four changes to the team beaten by Athletic Newham in the FA Cup. There was a welcome return for Sam Bull, one of last season’s top performers, in place of Josh Tuck. Shay Matthews, Tyrese Sutherland and debutant Luke Robinson were all brought in. Gideon Acheampong, Shay Leahy and the suspended Harrison Parker were the players left out.
Lancing started brightly with Sutherland in particular causing problems. He served an early note of intention in the fourth minute. After good work down the left, his cross into the Southall penalty area needed a touch to carry it in but, in a sign of what was to come, none of his team mates were on hand.
It did not take long for London based Southall to capitalize on that missed opportunity. Centre forward Florian Ada went down under a challenge and Brendan Matthew stepped up to fire in the spot kick for his second of the season with the tie only seven minutes old. Unlike last week’s act of self destruction, Lancing responded well to the setback.
CharlIe Gibson’s corner found the head of Harry Docherty – our two goal hero last time out – but he could only steer into the gloves of Koju Abayomi. Tyrese and debutant Robinson were omnipotent in attack and the pair linked up well, even if not quite to deadly effect, for our best chance of the half. Noel Fisher fed the former whom in turn picked out the latter to cut inside and fire on goal, only for Abayomi to save well.
Half time: Lancing 0-1 Southall
The Lancers had shown more than enough to suggest an equaliser, and perhaps the possibility of a winner, wasn’t far away.
Another teasing Tyrese delivery put Southall’s defence under pressure but Fisher was unable to reach it and the visitors cleared their lines. Lancing’s best openings were emanating from wide areas with Lewis Lembikasa the latest to go close as he flashed a shot wide from distance.
Another Gibbo free-kick was narrowly off target with a lack of true end product Lancing’s only undoing.
The Lancers were showing a vast uptick in performance and there was a feeling that, like your average Southern Rail train, we would get there in the end. But alas, also like many a local locomotive, it would ultimately never arrive.
Sutherland looked most likely to provide the spark as a burst of pace carried him away from his marker on a winding journey through the defence. Unfortunately, his effort didn’t quite make it to the final destination as he shot narrowly over the bar with Abayomi scrambling. Hollis introduced Ahmed Belgrane and Callum Erskine in lieu of Lewis and Doc to freshen up his attack in search of that elusive leveller.
It did not take long for Erskine to have an impact as he was the latest luckless Lancer, but again missed the target when he perhaps could have done better.
The visitors glimpsed a rare sight of goal in the 80th minute when Remy Bennison found himself free at the culmination of a quick counter-attack. He was unable to keep his effort down, however, and skied the ball into the netting above the goal.
We continued to push in a bid to force penalties, but despite a spell of persistent pressure, an equaliser was not forthcoming and Lancers winless start goes on. Despite the defeat, there are plenty of positives to take from the tie and a feeling we are going in the right direction.
We reconvene back at Culver Road for our first home league game of the season against Erith on Saturday.
Lancing starting XI: Lorenz Ferdinand, Shay Matthews, Owen Spicer, Sam Bull, Charlie Gibson, Lewis Lembikasa, Ta’shae Andall-Gibbons, Harry Docherty, Tyrese Sutherland, Noel Fisher, Luke Robinson. Substitutes: Ahmed Belgarne (for Lembikasa 67), Callum Erskine (for Docherty 77), Gideon Acheampong, Billy Oliver, Alieu Secka
Attendance: 155
Referee: David Rowland
