Lancing 0 Sittingbourne 1
Promotion-chasing Sittingbourne were made to work for victory as a single Donvieve Jones goal proved the only difference. Jones struck just before the half hour but, far from the expected heavy defeat, an unlikely point looked in the offing for the Lancers right to the death.
It was ultimately not to be, but this was a performance in which we can take heart and a vast improvement on recent weeks as we look towards the rest of the season.
Lancing had made full use of the transfer market to bring in another batch of signings for the run-in. Fraser Trigwell joined on a dual deal with Hassocks whilst former Culver Road favourite Faris Khallouqi came straight into the side. Chatham’s Louis Belsham and Eastbourne Town’s Freddie Warren completed the charismatic quartet and were named on the bench.
There was no lack of vocal support for Billy Wood’s struggling side. A crowd of 268 packed inside Culver Road as Lancing welcomed a side who have been one of the division’s two standout sides and beat us 8-1 in the reverse fixture in January.
Joe Hasler and Faris had shots blocked inside the first ten minutes, but Lancing would be indebted to debutant Trigwell for a string of superb saves.
Ryan Kingsford met a Troy Howard cross with a bullet header but the keeper – deputising for the suspended Alieu – dived to his left to paw away the forward’s effort. Lancing then came within inches of a shock lead. Hasler’s inswinger proved right on the money and flicked off the head of a Brickies defender. The ball looked to have nestled in the net, but whistled inches wide with ex-Worthing keeper Roco Rees scrambling.
But after that bright and positive start for Lancing, Sittingbourne showed why they have mounted a strong challenge for promotion and a historic run to the FA Trophy quarter finals. Howard curled over the top after a sweeping eye-catching move, before Jones nipped in to tap home an Aymon El-Mogharbel set piece. Jones stuck out a foot to divert the ball over the line despite the close attentions of a Lancing defender. Henry Sinai went close and Trigwell came to his side’s aid again – this time with a brilliant block to keep out an Ade Azeez header.
Trigwell’s impressive performance will leave Billy with some thinking to do when it comes to his custodian.
Howard became the latest Brickie to have his path blocked as Fraser flung himself low to tip away from the forward. The ball fell to Azeez on the follow-up but Lancing’s impressive defensive unit cleared.
There can be no denying the promotion-chasing high flyers had the vast majority of scoring chances. But this was a Lancing performance full of grit and perspiration. The players battled gamely throughout, defended impressively and showed a commitment and fighting spirit that has, at times, been absent this season.
Jones flashed a cross/shot across the face of goal and Smith was denied brilliantly by Trigwell late on. Lancing were unable to mount a late challenge on the lead, though, and Jones’ poacher’s moment proved enough for the Kent club to consolidate second place.
Fraser was unanimously voted our Player of Match but a shout out to the whole back four, and also Faris and Captain Scott Leslie in midfield, for an excellent collective effort.
The Lancers travel to Herne Bay on Saturday and then host Eastbourne Town in our penultimate home fixture of the season.
Lancing XI: Fraser Trigwell; Tom Unsworth, Isaac Nkosi, Eugene Asike, Ryan Moir; Neo Wooster; Reece Price – Placed, Scott Leslie (c), Faris Khallouqi, Callum Erskine; Joe Hasler. Substitutes: Lewis Lembikisa, Mario Quiassaca, Freddie Warren (for Unsworth, Hasler, Khallouqi 64), Louis Belsham (for Price – Placed 72), Etienne Frimpong (for Moir 82). Booked: Asike, Khallouqi, Leslie
