Pitching In Isthmian League
South East Division Saturday 18th Feb.2023
LANCING 0 V EAST GRINSTEAD (The Wasps) 1
Attendance 169
Lancing Starting XI :
Macauley Scott, Will Berry, Marcus Allen, Tyrese Mthunzi, Mahamadou Juwara, Finn Daniels-Yeoman (Capt.), Darius Goldsmith, Charlie Towning, Reece Hallard, Kane Louis, Marcel Powell.
Substitutes: Thomas Butler, Tyrone Madhani, Kyle O’Brien, Mohamed Zabadne, Callaghan Stobbart.
This was the fourth meeting this season between The Wasps and Lancing with the former edging it with wins in the F.A Cup, and the league, Lancing going through, thanks to a Tom Butler goal, in the Sussex Senior Cup. Always an added edge to a game when former players feature. In this case, well respected goal scorer Matt Daniel and supporters favourite Harrison Parker. Also present again for the Wasps is Andrew Briggs who appeared in a limited number of games for Lancing. Matt Daniel always appears to have the knack of finding the net against his former club, having netted three times this season and, in a former existence, managed to get on the score sheet when representing Horsham YMCA against Lancing. One for the home defenders to keep under close observation.
Still smarting from the 4-0 nil midweek defeat away to Whitehawk, Lancing had to make some changes from Tuesday’s starting line-up with Modou Jammeh and Owen Spicer not available. But back came Kane Louis and Tyrese Muthunzi and also a place for the promising Charlie Towning.
It was evident from the start that Lancing were highly motivated and they were looking to gain the upper hand and this was demonstrated by the surging runs along the left flank by Mo Juwara and Reece Hallard.They were unstoppable as they interchanged passes and positions with each other, and also playing off Darius Goldsmith and Kane Louis, enabled them to get in behind the Wasps right flank.
Kane Louis was playing an intelligent role leading the front line, acting as target man, also finding support from Marcel Powell taking up a wide position on the Lancing right.
Reece Hallard was first to hit the target forcing keeper Matte Pierson to get down low. Soon after, clever play between Kane Louis and Marcel Powell gave him a shooting opportunity, but his effort was blocked by a defender. Reece Hallard then made strides down the left, firing in a dangerous looking cross which had too much power behind it and ran out of play on the far touchline.
Lancing were keeping up the pressure. The ball was played in to Kane Louis but got tangled up between his legs, forcing him to lay it off to Charlie Towning whose shot cleared the cross bar.
Mo Juwara delivered a superb pass from the left touchline in behind the defence for Marcel Powell to run on to. But he was in a race against Matte Pierson, who managed to reach the ball with a wild clearance which struck Marcel, rebounding behind for a goal kick.
The Wasps only threat in the early stages came from free-kicks which did not trouble the Lancing defence, any that reached the goal were comfortably dealt with by Macauley Scott. Apart from this, there was something of a let off on 14 minutes when Tyrese Mthunzi lost possession on the edge of the box. There was only the keeper to beat but the shot was a tame one straight at him. Matt Daniel had been kept quiet so far but he attempted to get in behind Tyrese only to be beaten to the ball by Macauley Scott who cleared it away to safety.
Lancing were getting into the visitors’ penalty area and causing some desperate defending but the closest Lancing came to testing Matte Pierson was a goal bound effort from Reece Hallard, after good work by Marcel Powell winning the ball and setting up Hallard. Pierson managed to get his leg to the ball to keep it out.
Totally against the run of play, The Wasps took the lead on 36 minutes. Matt Daniel turned provider, finding space on Lancing’s right and laying the ball from close to the by-line into the path of Max Walsh who drove the ball from the edge of the box into the far bottom corner. Matt Daniel then came close to increasing his side’s lead shortly before half time but Macauley Scott was in the right place to keep the shot out. Lancing’s final effort fell to Charlie Towning after Mo Juwara had left defenders trailing in his wake and set up Charlie but he was way off target.
Lancing continued in the second half where they had left off after the first 45. Reece Hallard rose well to a Lancing free kick directing it towards Kane Louis but the ball just evaded him. Will Berry combined with Marcel Powell who put Kane Louis in on goal but his effort landed in the keeper’s arms. Excellent distribution from Macauley Scott reached Mo Juwara who worked the ball to Reece Hallard. He brought a good save from Pierson, who followed this with palming away a Lancing free kick. A second free kick quickly followed and a fierce drive from Reece Hallard was deflected wide for a corner. Further efforts on goal came from Finn Daniels-Yeoman teed up by Kane Louis, but he was wide of the upright, Kane then hit a shot on the turn which had Matte Pierson down low to save.
Lancing made their first substitution on 66 minutes with Tyrone Madhani replacing Charlie Towning. Four minutes later Tom Butler came on for Tyrese Mthunzi who had just received a caution.
Lancing continued to launch attacks with Reece Hallard reaching the by-line crossing to Finn Daniels -Yeoman who headed the ball in the direction of Marcel Powell but he was blocked as he attempted to hit the ball towards goal. Reece Hallard was keeping up his strong running and was tripped as he reached the edge of the box. His powerful free kick was well held by Pierson.
Mo Juwara was still full of running and broke forward on the left before delivering a cross which was met by Marcel Powell whose effort was put behind for a corner. Marcel then made way for Mo Zabadne.
Reece Hallard was again a threat hitting a powerful drive which fizzed wide of the upright. The Wasps had rarely threatened the Lancing goal but came close to increasing their lead on 83 minutes but were thwarted by the alert Macauley Scott who reacted by sticking out a leg to keep the ball out.
Lancing were camped in the opposition final third for most of the latter stages, including 5 minutes of added time. The Wasps were playing for time and this led to a caution for Tariq Straker for time-wasting. Lancing won a number of corners late on but Matte Pierson was able to safely gather in everyone.
Time ran out on Lancing who trooped off with a feeling of frustration that so much good attacking play could not be converted into a winning position. Very few efforts on goal were a serious threat to keeper Pierson. The Wasps had a very few scoring opportunities but managed to find the net with one and that’s what counts.
Some fine performances from Lancing players for the committee to consider, particularly outstanding were Marcus Allen, Mo Juwara and Reece Hallard all driven on by skipper Finn Daniels-Yeoman. However, we felt that Kane Louis had led the line superbly, resisting pressure, retaining possession, bringing others into play, being an excellent focal point for some good attacking moves. So well done Kane. Our choice for Player of the Match.
Dave Wilmott
