The first team continued their winning streak on Tuesday night, in the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup, beating Seaford Town 3-0 on home turf. Here is Dave Wilmott’s report.

Lancing Starting X1

Taylor Seymour, George Fenton, Alex Bygraves, Liam Hendy, Josh Coupar, Mike Williamson, Kane Louis, Mitch Hewens, James Rhodes, Mo Juwara, Lew Finney.

Substitutes:

Omar Bukleb, Dave Sharman, Jack Baden, James Beresford, George Mitchell- Phillips

Lancing hosted Seaford Town in the Sussex Principal RUR cup. Alex Bygraves and Lew Finney were back for Lancing and Josh Coupar was making his debut at left back. After a couple of early attempts on the Seaford goal, Lancing took the lead on 12 minutes. Lancing made the most of a free kick switching the ball quickly to Mitch Hewens who fired a screamer into the keeper’s top right corner. Lancing were enjoying most of the possession with Seaford penned into their own half. Seaford’s first serious attack came when Matt Holland intercepted a cross field pass and broke towards the Lancing goal but his shot was comfortably dealt with by Taylor Seymour.

Josh Coupar’s debut came to a premature end. He had made a good run reaching the six yard box but, in stretching to reach the ball, sustained what looked like a hamstring strain. Omar Bukleb came on into central defence, with George Fenton switching to left back and Liam Hendy moving to right back. Lancing were looking dangerous breaking forward with Mitch Hewens looking a real threat with his pace and good control. Kane Louis, James Rhodes and Lew Finney were showing their mastery on the ball and Mike Williamson was covering just in front of a back four who were giving time to settle on the ball and play out from the back. Despite their dominance of possession, Lancing were unable to add to their lead. Mo fired over the bar. A good run to the bye line by Liam Hendy allowed him to set up Lew Finney but keeper Josh Measar saved well. A dangerous cross by Mitch Hewens was put behind for a corner just as Lew was about to meet it with a header. Mo weaved his way into a shooting position but his fierce left foot strike flew way to high. Lew came close with a header shortly before half time.

Mitch was proving a real handful for Seaford and was brought down on the edge of the Seaford penalty area early in the second half. Lew Finney’s free kick was well struck but just too high. Liam Hendy was getting forward well from the right back position and Mo was benefitting from his support but unable to apply the finishing touch. The second Lancin goal came on 64 minutes. A clever turn in the box by James Rhodes allowed him to put Lew clear a few yards from the goal and Lew calmly stroked the ball home. Jack Baden’s patience on the bench was rewarded when he was brought on for the last 25 minutes replacing Mo. He quickly settled in looking energetic and confident on the ball. George Mitchell also came on to add his pace replacing James Rhodes .Mitch was continuing to make to torment the visitor‘s defence. Liam Hendy was getting forward and looked to have worked himself into a good scoring position but unselfishly laid the ball to Lew. His shot rebounded to Liam and found the net from him but he was adjudged to be offside. Former Lancing Bradley Tighe came on as a substitute for the last 20 minutes for Seaford.

Lancing finished the game strongly with George Mitchell-Phillips, Jack Baden and Lew Finney all coming close to increasing Lancing’s lead but it fell to Mitch Hewens, who capped a fine performance with another left foot rocket of  a shot from 20 yards to give the score line a closer reflection of the balance of play.

So, Lancing make progress in another cup competition and increased their unbeaten run from pre- season under the new management team to 19 games. Pleasing also to have a clean sheet with the defence, well marshalled by Alex Bygraves, looking solid.

Nice also to see Jack Baden get some game time for the first X1.

Unanimity between management and committee in naming Mitch Hewens as MOM..Two excellent goals and some fast and skilful wing play.

Dave Wilmott