Lancing Starting XI:

Alieu Secka, Mohammed Joumaa Zabadne, Will Berry, Liam Hendy, Harrison Parker, Isaiah Corrie, Darius Goldsmith, Finn Daniels-Yeoman (capt.) Kane Louis, Modou Jammeh, Lorenzo Lewis.

Substitutes:

Matt Daniel, Gabriel Robinson, James Rhodes, Alfie Hall, Bradley Campbell Francis.

Some changes in the Lancing line up after the defeat at the hands of Herne Bay. Kane Louis and Isaiah Corrie came in for James Rhodes and Matt Daniel. With Mo Juwara still injured, Harrison Parker continued to fill in at left back with Mo Zabadne at right back. Back into the squad came Bradley Campbell -Francis and there was also a place on the bench for new comer Alfie Hall.

These two sides last met at the beginning of December. VCD were on a three-game losing run but were lying 8th in the table. Lancing were then in 17th place. Youssef Bamba was the main threat for VCD and scored twice to help his side to a 4-0 win. This weekend both sides would be scheduled to meet on the prestigious Non-League Day, in which fans around the country are encouraged to support their true local club, in the absence of Premier League football fixtures.

Youssef Bamba operating wide on the right for VCD was quick out of the blocks and was all ways looking to take on Harrison Parker in a one versus one tussle. At the other end Lorenzo Lewis and Isaiah Corrie were keen to show that they had the skills and pace to trouble the visitors defence. On the right flank, Mo Zabadne had to be at his best to contain the threat posed by Anthony Adesite. There was a lot to admire from both sides. Bamba did not make the most of his opportunities, being caught offside a couple of times and not really testing Alieu Secka. Both Lorenzo Lewis and Isaiah Corrie were fouled as they showed great close control and speed to beat a few players as they headed towards the penalty area.

With 16 minutes gone Adesite hit a powerful shot which brought a great double save from Alieu Secka. After the first save,the ball rebounded from him back to the striker who volleyed it back towards the goal but Alieu was quick to react, as he was falling, to keep the ball out. This was the closest either side had come to scoring.

Lancing’s forward play  looked promising as they built up some good attacking moves with Kane Louis operating as a good target man and finding supporting players with some clever first touches. Mod Jammeh was linking well with Kane Louis and getting into some good positions in and around the penalty area. A promising attack was halted with Mod being brought down just outside the box, earning Kiki Oshiaja a caution from referee Jordan Mcritchie. Lorenzo Lewis struck a low hard fee kick beyond the wall but keeper Sam Mott got down well to get his body behind the ball.

The Vickers then failed to take advantage of a ball which came back from Lancing’s midfield as a result of a miscontrol. It fell into the path of Kevin Lisbie, ex Charlton Athletic professional, and the holder of 10 international caps for Jamaica. Lisbie was probably taken by surprise to see the ball coming back to him and with only Alieu Secka to beat snatched at his shot screwing it well wide. Shortly afterwards, Bamba got past Harrison Parker and picked out Lisbie in the box but he was again off target.

Mod Jammeh was again proving his value to Lancing breaking into the box after some clever play from Lorenzo Lewis but he was dispossessed before he could get a shot way. Lorenzo and Mod combined again, both showing clever close control, with Lorenzo winning a corner. This led to a second corner which the Vickers were able to clear. Lorenzo oozed confidence taking on The Vickers left flank before firing in a hard low cross which The Vickers were able to cut out. Isaiah Corrie  then embarked upon one of his mazy runs, twisting and turning with the ball glued to his laces, bamboozling the defence until being upended by a foul. Darius Goldsmith struck the free kick into the heart of the penalty area but it evaded everyone before running harmlessly out of play.

Kevin Lisbie was again in a good position to receive a ball over the top, and was involved in a tussle for the ball on the edge of the box with Alieu Secka, who was able to hold on to the ball and earning a free kick in the process.

Play continued to flow from end to end as Mod Jammeh and Kane Louis once again combined well to give Mod the chance to turn inside from his marker and set himself to shoot but he was quickly closed down and his shot blocked.

With half time approaching both sides had chances to go in ahead. A momentary piece of casual play in the Lancing box led to Will Berry, having received a square pass from Liam Hendy, being closed down as he tried to pass the ball out. This led to the ball being played towards the Lancing goal line but quick anticipation by Hendy enabled him to prevent the ball entering the net.

At the other end, Lorenzo won another corner, from which he was able to reach Will Berry at the far post. Will was able to get in a header towards goal which was well saved by Sam Mott.

The second half saw Bamba switching from the right to the left, trying his luck against Mo Zabadne. But Mo stuck to his task well until, on 62 minutes, Bamba managed to get in a cross to the edge of the box as Mo tried desperately to keep pace with him. Kevin Lisbie had time to pick his spot firing the ball home via Alieu Secka’s right upright.

Lisbie’s involvement ended a minute later, after a mid-air clash with Lorenzo Lewis, who was again in the wars. Lisbie came off worse and had to be helped off to be replaced by Jason Williams.

On 66 minutes there was a debut for Alfie Hall, coming on for Isaiah Corrie and Matt Daniel substituted for Kane Louis.

A minute later Liam Hendy was deemed to be guilty of a careless elbow and received a caution.

Some fresh legs helped Lancing to build up some control and attacking momentum and on 78 minutes this paid dividends as Harrison Parker was set in behind on Lancing’s left. He rapidly reached the bye line before hitting a low hard cross into the six-yard box, where Matt Daniel’s striker’s instinct put him in the right place for a straightforward tap in.

Lorenzo Lewis still had plenty to offer, breaking clear with no defender able to keep pace but allowing the ball to run too close to keeper Mott. This was quickly followed by another superb run, finishing with a ball into the box which evaded every Lancing player who had been able to get forward.

Bamba gave a reminder that he still had something to offer, attacking down Lancing’s left and finishing with a fierce strike on goal which, fortunately for Lancing flew well clear of the cross bar.

Lancing showed once again that they finish strongly. With very little normal time remaining, Finn Daniels-Yeoman won possession and broke into the opposition half with the Vickers defence stretched and with good support. He tried to pick out Lorenzo Lewis to his left but the pass was over hit and allowed Sam Mott to win the race for the ball. Alfie Hall was able to make an impact on the game as four minutes of added time was played. Firstly, he won the ball prodding it through for Matt Daniels, but it was just beyond him. He then won another tackle and set Lorenzo on a run towards the penalty area. Barely centimetres from him entering the area, he was brought down, earning a free kick. The Vickers defence held firm and as the ball was cleared to the edge of the box where Finn Daniels-Yeoman was waiting. He let fly but fly being the operative word as the ball scored high into the air. This was the final act in what had been an entertaining and well contested game, very capably managed by referee Jordan Mcritchie and his assistants Stephen Jenson and James Byng.

Some excellent football on display from both sides and although it would be difficult to argue that a draw was not a fair result. Lancing’s stamina and will to win saw them almost snatch a late winner as they mounted a series of late attacks. Lancing could feel satisfied with holding a very good side to a draw, bearing in mind the away result. VCD remain in 10th place with Lancing at 17th, 2 points behind Whitehawk in 14th, level with East Grinstead but with a superior goal difference.

There was an excellent atmosphere at Culver Road. The cake sale with contributions from club members/ wives/partners/friends with proceeds going to Prostate Cancer UK. Lancing Parish Council Town Crier Bob Smytherman greeting everyone and announcing the teams, young Cameron August very professionally controlling the music and handling the mid match commentary/announcements.

Our fellow committee member, Councillor Mandy Buxton-Andrews was match ball sponsor, for which many thanks, and she chose the dynamic midfield general Finn Daniels-Yeoman as her MOM. We were graced with the presence of committee member and treasurer, and loyal Lancing supporter Paul Blann, whose business commitments mean long absences up North. So, we invited him to choose his MOM and he opted for Lorenzo Lewis. A talented and exciting player with bags of skill and pace.

Lancing hit the road again next week with a coach trip to Hythe Town, who scored a late winner in a 1-0 victory at Culver Road in November.

Dave Wilmott

Photo credit: Kyle Hemsley