The Yellow and Blue Army returned to action after an eleven day hiatus with the visit of fellow early strugglers Phoenix Sports.
In Lancing’s first game since the 10th September, there were three changes to the team that had lost to Sussex rivals Burgess Hill last time out.
Knory Scott, Evan Hoarty and Luke Robinson came into Jamie Hollis’ starting line up, replacing Harry Docherty, Tyrese Sutherland and Stan Berry. 

Lancing welcomed our winless rivals from Bexleyheath for a match that already looked like a must win even at this early stage. Our visitors arrived at Culver Road with a single point to their name having played three matches more than the Lancers. Like ourselves, their early season form saw Phoenix Sports arrive in Sussex entrenched in the early danger zone. 

It did not take long for the Lancers to fire an early notice of intent. Tashae Andall-Gibbons, dwarfed by his opposite number in midfield, almost capped a superb sweeping move down the left. He collected the ball 20 yards out, cut inside and curled a good effort narrowly wide. 

Those early nerves were settled with the Yellow and Blues opener inside ten minutes. Charlie Gibson found Andall-Gibbons and he in turn crossed for the omnipotent Robinson to apply the coup de grace at the culmination of another eye-catching move. It was ‘Robbo’s’ first goal for Lancing and was met with a roar, perhaps more in relief, by the 276 inside the ground. 

Robinson was involved again shortly afterward as he this time turned provider for Knory, but Scott’s shot from distance was clawed away by Budd on the stretch.

But a 1-0 lead is never comfortable in football and Lancing’s slender advantage could – indeed, should – have been wiped from the scoreboard. It was the visitors imposing no.9, the archetypal rangy target man, whom had to do better when presented with his side’s best opening of the half, if not the entire match. But Alfie Bloomfield could only fire into the netting behind the goal, rather than that inside it, from close range shortly before half-time.

Suffice to say, the good nature heckling the big lad was subjected to throughout his afternoon’s work did not abate after that aberration. 

To add insult to injury, Bloomfield and his struggling side were made to rue that miss. 

Shortly after Robinson had gone close from a Shay Matthews cross, the Lancers got our second goal on the cusp of the interval.
The goal came slightly against the run of play as Evan Hoarty was on hand to sweep in a cutback and set the Lancers on course for that elusive first victory of the season.

Half time Lancing 2-0 Phoenix Sports 

Gibbo went close when he kissed the top of the bar with a free-kick before Alieu Secka, who had been a virtual spectator throughout, was finally called into action.

Phoenix caught Lancers short and sprung forward on the counter attack only for Alieu to get down well and clear the danger with Bloomfield lurking. 

The biggest moment of concern came when an overhit backpass sailed in the wrong direction towards the Lancing net, but Secka was again on hand, quite literally, to palm the ball over the top for a corner. 

The visitors choice to seemingly pack their team with as many tall and physical players as possible ensured Lancing could not rest on their laurels. Phoenix forced a flurry of corners but the Lancers last line of defence, marshaled superbly by Messrs Bull and Leahy, kept them at arm’s length and our clean sheet intact.

Callum Erskine was introduced for the effervescent Knory and the young substitute almost made an immediate impact. A surging run forward from deep had Phoenix bending to his will as he shrugged off a posse of players and fired for goal. Budd was beaten all ends up and Callum was defied only by the upright as the ball cannoned to safety with the post still shaking. 

Erskine shone in his brief, but impressive, cameo and looked to add late gloss to the scoreline only to be denied again, this time by Budd, who saved well in the dying minutes.

And so the final whistle brought the Lancers our first three points of the campaign, lifting us to 17th place with three points from four. Lancers can now begin to look up the table rather than down with the visit of AFC Croydon on Tuesday a quick chance to build on these foundations.

Well done to all of the team, the manager, his coaching staff and the unstinting support from all of you in the stands. This first victory will give everyone belief and confidence to kick on from here and to climb that table.

YABA!

Lancing 2-0 Phoenix Sports 

Lancing starting XI: Alieu Secka, Shay Matthews, Shay Leahy, Sam Bull, Charlie Gibson; Ta’shae Andall-Gibbons, Leon Moore, Knory Scott, Evan Hoarty, Ahmed Belgarne, Luke Robinson. Substitutes: Noel Fisher (for Belgarne 55), Harrison Parker, Lewis Lembikisa (for Matthews, Hoarty 65), Callum Erskine (for Scott 82), Stan Berry (for Robinson 90). Att: 276