Collier’s strike gets Cox up and running 

Dean Cox marked his return to the Culver Road hotseat with a sprinkling of managerial magic and a hard earned FA Cup victory.
An early Ellis Collier strike proved enough for the new look Lancers to edge to victory over our divisional rivals and set up another home tie with either Peacehaven or Mario Quiassaca’s Harefield – banking £1,125 in the process. 

As the world’s oldest cup competition returned to the hallowed turf of Culver Road, there was the sense of something stirring in the warm August air – the sense of hope, belief and new beginnings only the start of a new season can bring. With Coxy’s (re) appointment and an eager, fresh-faced squad raring to go, the opening page of the 2025-26 campaign offered an exciting new chapter in the Lancing story.

Ten of the eleven players in the famous Yellow and Blue were making their debuts, with veteran centre-back Will Berry the only familiar face in the XI. ‘Bezza’ partnered the much travelled Mayckol Sabino in a defensive pairing with a combined age of 77, whilst the evergreen Luke Gedling – a month shy of his 46th birthday –  captained the team. Ryan Riddles was the only player from last season’s squad and found himself on the bench with Kane, Gabe, Zack, Bruno Kuran, Ramos and back up keeper Blu Abbott.  

It took only five minutes for the Lancing Express to hit full steam ahead. 

Culver Road erupted as Gedling’s deep cross picked out the onrushing Ellis to half- volley back across goal and in via a post. A striker’s finish from our new left back: 1-0 to Lancing!

Nick Bellingham in the Gatwick goal saved at the feet of Frankie Spiteri, before the Lancing faithful got a first glimpse of Jordan Brown’s agility between the sticks.
It came from his namesake Josh and the visitors best chance of the half. A Matia Tamale inswinger found the no.8 and his good, goal bound header was tipped over by Jordan on the stretch.

Half time: Lancing 1-0 Crawley Down Gatwick

Ollie Leslie was next to test the reflexes of the Lancing stopper, but we remained a threat going forward with Spiteri and Zachariah Rhioui in particular marking their cards as ones to watch this season.

Luke had a shot blocked and substitute Gabe, fresh from an impressive pre-season, was denied the match clinching buffer by a superb full length save from Bellingham.
At the other end, Jordan had to be alert to come off his line and sweep up the danger with Michael Spence and substitute Rhys White lurking with intent.

The hard-working Frankie was withdrawn soon after with the returning Kane Louis introduced to add guile and nous to the attack.
Kane was straight into the thick of things and almost sealed the deal when Gabe found Jed Warner whom in turn spun in behind to find Louis. Kane’s low shot looked to be headed for the corner but was tipped wide by Bellingham to keep his side in the contest.

The slender nature of Lancing’s lead offered encouragement to the visitors; perhaps sensing a fragility for the first time in the match.
But the Lancers were nearly hoisted by our own perilous petard as Robinson had his pocket picked by Callum Kilkenny. His cross found its way to substitute Josh Alder who looked poised to score only for Dylan Hurst to scramble back and brilliantly slide the ball to safety off the line. 

And so it was job done for the gritty and gutsy Lancers. Messrs Bezza and man of the match Magic held firm amidst a flurry of late crosses pumped into the box as the new Coxy era got up and running with a win. 

Speaking via official club media after the game, Coxy said: “I thought we were absolutely brilliant for the first 25 minutes, then we dropped a little bit. But we were everything a Lancing team should be – gritty, committed, determined, passionate. A great goal to win it, delighted to get the result and very pleased for the boys, the fans and the club as a whole.
“I’m delighted to be back, I live locally so it’s fantastic to be a part of it and I want to keep striving, keep moving forward.”

The Lancers get their league season underway on Saturday when we welcome Alieu Secka and newly promoted Forest Row to Culver Road. 

Lancing team: Jordan Brown, Belal Ouachan, Will Berry, Mayckol Sabino, Ellis Collier; Luke Gedling (capt), Dylan Hurst, Jed Warner; Marcos Dos Santos, Frankie Spiteri, Zacharia Rhioui. Substitutes: Kane Louis (for Spiteri 55), Gabe Robinson (for Rhioui 70), Ryan Riddles (for Gedling 82), Zack Cherkaoui, Blu Abbott, Ramos De Santos, Bruno Kuran.