Notes on key features (not a full match report)

With their Saturday fixture away to Alfold postponed, the Lancing team management responded quickly by arranging a friendly against local Div.1 side Worthing Utd, now managed by the popular Danny Wood, assistant to Lancing manager Mark Pulling in the 2018/19 season.

This was an opportunity for some game time for new signing Alex Laing, for George Fenton, returning from injury and Kane Louis, who was also seeking to increase his match fitness after missing several games through injury.

The starting line-up was as follows:

Mitch Bromage, Conrad Honore, Will Berry, George Fenton, Marcus Dackers, Alex Laing, Lew Finney, Brad Santos, Andrew Briggs, Mitch Hewens, Kane Louis.

First half goals for Lancing came from Brad Santos with a firm strike from 35 yards into the bottom corner, after a period of sustained Lancing possession orchestrated by Marcus Dackers. Andrew Briggs was the provider with a superb pass which put Alex Laing in behind to finish with a well-placed shot. Alex then turned provider cutting the ball back for Kane Louis to side foot home from close range. Alex then showed his skill rounding the keeper before picking out Mitch Hewens at the far post who hit the ball home via a defender on the goal line.

Mitch Bromage had largely been a bystander but had to be alert to keep out a rare strike on goal on the stroke of half time.

Numerous changes were made at the start of the second half. Spanish keeper Samu (only eligible for friendlies at the moment), Dave Sharman, Mike Williamson, Alex Fair, Ben Connolly, James Rhodes and Josh Coupar came on. Mitch Bromage, Will Berry, Andrew Briggs, Mitch Hewens, Marcus Dackers, and Brad Santos stood down. Unfortunately, James Rhodes picked up an injury to be replaced by Andrew Briggs. George Fenton also went off with Brad Santos coming back on and Kane Louis departed for Marcus Dackers midway through the second half.

Worthing Utd raised their game in the second half and, but for some wasted scoring opportunities and being caught offside too often, might have closed the gap on Lancing.

But, in the latter stages, Lancing increased their lead. Marcus Dackers was first to a ball into the six-yard box to side foot it home and Alex Fair latched on to a clever through ball from Ben Connolly, tucking the ball through the legs of the advancing keeper.

So, a good work out and some entertaining football.

Finally, congratulations to Marcus Dackers on his inclusion in the Wales under 17 squad. As a fellow Welshman, it gives me great pleasure to report this.

Report by: Dave Wilmott

–

A reminder that the view of any officials in their match report for a fixture may not represent the views of Lancing Football Club or the website editor. Please contact the writer of a report directly if you have any issues to raise, as these are not written by the website editor & may contain errors from time to time.