Harry Heath was at the double as Lancers swatted aside the Wasps of East Grinstead and kept in touch with the chasing pack.

In a match marred by a suspected dislocated ankle for inspirational skipper Alex Laing, Harry H struck either side of half time for our fourth successive win over our Sussex rivals. We did the league double over them last season and followed that with victory here in the Sussex Senior Cup 19 days ago.

All of us at the club wish Laingy well in his recovery and we look forward to seeing him in action again soon.

There were three changes from the disappointing loss to Broadbridge Heath last time out. Harrison came in at right-back in lieu of Shay Matthews. Joe Thomas was handed his first start, with Ta’shae  dropping out. There was a surprise ‘between the sticks’ as virtual ever present Alieu Secka was left out and the relatively unknown James Dillon came in for a debut. The Lancers bench was strong, consisting of Knory, Andall  – Gibbons and the aforementioned Secka along with new additions Etienne Frimpong and Ryan Atkinson.

After a spell away, Harry H has returned to Culver Road as Sam Morgan’s second signing, charged with leading the line for his new look Lancing. Heath fired an early warning shot when he took advantage of the homesters high line. He was released by Noel and found himself free, only to be stopped in his tracks by the offside flag.

Khalifa Jabbie sliced a shot wide after the ball had rebounded back to him, before first Heath and then Laing both had efforts deflect narrowly wide. There was a very obvious tactical blueprint at the forefront of Lancing’s play: move the ball quickly through midfield into the space behind the home side’s defence. If it had not been for a combination of the offside rule and slight overexuberance, this Plan A would have reaped its reward far sooner than transpired.

Blake went close with a header and Thomas then tested the tenacity of Wasps keeper Matte Pierson, but on this occasion the stopper was equal to his effort.

He was powerless to prevent our opener soon afterwards, though. Harry H let fly with a speculative shot from 25 yards – one which looked to have been tipped wide by the diving Pierson. But the keeper slightly misjudged both the height and pace of the shot and could only help it on its way in. A timely lead for the Lancers shortly before the interval. The goal can be seen here 763bd5de-8e79-4d0c-abd5-ece04541e408

No sooner had the celebrations begun were they dampened, though. After a spot of penalty area pinball, Jabbie poked the ball in after a goalmouth scramble to untidily bundle his side level at the break.

Half time: East Grinstead 1-1 Lancing

Morgan’s men shrugged off the setback of that last gasp concession to start the second half on the front foot.

Gibbo’s wait for that elusive goal in Lancing colours went on as he fired into the side netting. Heath’s searching delivery across the box evaded everyone and Laingy was denied by a strong stop from Pierson.
Having built up a head of steam, Lancers made their superiority count at the match reached its hour mark. And, just like your favourite Saturday night takeaway order, the Fisher/ Heath combo delivered once more.
The former picked up the ball and cut it back for the latter to slide in an unerring finish to restore our lead with his, and our, second goal of the game.

Harrison hit the upright with a header but a one goal lead is never enough and ex-Lancer Connor Tighe blazed over with the goal at his mercy at the other end.
Omar Folkes skied an opening but there could be no argument Lancing were good value for their lead. That lead was turned into the golden prize of three points in the final minute when there was another first for the Lancers. This time provided by Ta’shae who was picked out by Laingy’s final act.

Andall – Gibbons had caught the eye since stepping off the bench and added late gloss to the scoreline when he raced through to finish one-on-one beyond Pierson.

And so Lancing remain five points from safety but, crucially, still on the coat-tails of those around us as we approach the hectic Christmas fixtures. The whole team played well and every player did his bit, but Harry H stood out with his brace and led the line superbly throughout.

Lancing starting XI: James Dillon; Harrison Parker, Sam Bull, Harry Docherty, Charlie Gibson; Leon Moore, Alex Laing, Joe Thomas; Blake Loyza, Harry Heath, Noel Fisher. Substitutes: Ta’shae Andall – Gibbons (Thomas 60), Knory Scott, Ryan Atkinson, Etienne Frimpong (for Laing, Loyza, Heath 89), Alieu Secka

After the match Harry Heath made the following post on his X account

Everyone here at Lancing FC echoes Harry’s message and wish him well as he continues to win his battles on all fronts!