FRIENDLY 7/8/2021. Attendance 425
LANCING STARTING XI:
Mitch Bromage, Mohd.Zabadne, Liam Hendy, Will Berry, Harrison Parker, Finn Daniels-Yeoman, Darius Goldsmith, Louis Evans, Matt Daniel, Ben Connolly, Alberto Lubango.
Substitutes:
Harry Docherty, Mark Goldson, Tariq Brown, Ollie Read, Ebou Jallow, Lorenzo Lewis, George Bentley
Lancing managers James Rhodes and Kane Louis presented their squad with another tough challenge in their final warm up game before their first season in the Pitching In Isthmian League commences on 14th August, with an away fixture against Sittingbourne.
A formidable looking Worthing line up faced Lancing and their superiority did not take long to manifest itself as they pressed Lancing high, forcing them to defend for long periods in their own half. There was an early scare as a Worthing forward took a tumble in the penalty area after a strong tackle by Liam Hendy. There was an appeal for a penalty but the referee was unimpressed.
Worthing were making inroads along Lancing’s left flank and the ball was coming into the Lancing box. Will Berry needed to be alert as, firstly, he got his body in the way of a goal bound shot, and, soon afterward, got an outstretched leg to cut out a dangerous cross. A cross from the Worthing number 7, Ollie Pearce, almost caught Mitch Bromage out as it dropped just under the cross bar, but Mitch was able to push it over for a corner. This was cleared by Liam Hendy. Worthing were winning corners and centre back Arran Racine was proving a handful in the air. He brought a good save from Mitch Bromage with a powerful downwards header
The game was proving to be a good test for the Lancing defensive play. They coped well with the pressure and maintained their composure in most situations, constantly sticking to their possession game and not resorting to panicked clearances.
Lancing were not able to make much progress in the opposition half, whose defence was well marshalled by Aarran Racine. Matt Daniel was doing well to shield the ball despite close attention, and helped create Lancing’s best attacking move, sending Louis Evans on a good run before being brought down with a foul tackle by Racine.
As the half ended, Worthing continued to press forward. Harrison Parker spotted danger and was able to head the ball clear over his own cross bar. Mitch was off his line quickly to palm a dangerous cross away and a well-timed tackle from Liam Hendy halted a strong run by Worthing’s number 9. Lancing had been in a backs-to- the wall situation for most of the half but could feel satisfied that they had been able to keep the score at 0-0.
The second half began with Harry Docherty replacing Will Berry and he settled well into the back four. Finn Daniels -Yeoman had supported the defence well in a more deep lying role but the it did not take long before Worthing’s fine attacking play paid off. Their number 9 got himself to the bye line and it looked as if the ball had run out of play. Liam Hendy committed a lunging tackle which brought the attacker down. It looked as if a red card might be his punishment but, fortunately, it was a yellow card which came out of the referee’s pocket. Olllie Pearce put the spot kick away, comfortably.
This seemed to inspire Worthing to launch themselves forward with more intensity, but their finishing did not match their build up play, as good opportunities were wasted. Lorenzo Lewis, Mark Goldson, Ebou Jallow, Ollie Read and Tariq Brown all came on and Mitch was replaced in goal by George Bentley. Racine continued to be a threat at set pieces but could not find the target. Mohd Zabadne showed his pace with a strong run to the bye line but nothing came of it. Just as it looked as if Lancing would go home with a creditable 1-0 defeat, with barely a couple of minutes left, Worthing made the score line look more respectable from their point of view with a second goal. There was a touch of misfortune for Lancing, as the ball took a deflection off Harry Docherty as he stretched to block the shot from Reece Meekums.
Some positives emerged from a game against higher opposition. Defensively, Lancing acquitted themselves well, but clearly there is room for improvement in terms of creating goal scoring opportunities. If Lancing can raise the speed of their inter passing and make good progress into the attacking third, they have the players who can finish.
The new season bringing a new challenge seems to have arrived very quickly. We need to do our best to support our boys and a mini bus will take supporters to Sittingbourne. Some are making their own way there, but if you wish to join the mini bus party, please contact Terry Cartwright. £20 is the charge.
Dave Wilmott
