After two successive pre-season defeats, Lancing proved too good for a spirited East Preston team, knocking in three second half goals and almost secured a fourth from the penalty spot early in the half, but for an excellent save by the EP keeper, diving to his left to deflect a powerful strike behind for a corner.
East Preston were on the attack from the start and were forcing Lancing on to the defensive and into making some hurried clearances. George McCarthy looked calm and composed as one of Lancing’s centre backs and Matia Tamale was busy and energetic in midfield. As the game progressed Lancing took hold of the midfield, enjoying good spells of possession but were wasteful by over hitting forward passes.
Reece Hallard showed once again that he is difficult to shake of the ball once in full motion. He finished a powerful break with a fine pass to Jake Newhouse who earned a corner as he broke towards the bye line. Lancing finished the half strongly with Tyrone Madhani being upended, after a promising run across the edge of the box. Matia Tamale got on the end of a cross into the six-yard box forcing the keeper to concede a corner by turning his effort over the cross bar. Faris Khallouqui hit the target but without the power to trouble the keeper, but the best chance of the half fell to Jake Newhouse in added time. Played in behind the defence by a sublime pass from Reece Hallard and with only the keeper to beat, Jake steered the ball past him but just wide of the upright.
The introduction of Marcel Powell and Louis Veneti in the second half added extra pace to Lancing’s attack and they had the home defence pegged back.it was only a matter of time before Lancing were able to break the deadlock. Louis Veneti showed his finishing power with two well taken goals and a trademark free kick from outside the penalty area by Josh Gould deceived the E.P keeper to hit the back of the net.
Ash Mutongerwa had come on to play alongside the impressive George McCarthy and they kept a tight grip on the game. Alieu Secka had replaced Connor Manderson at half time, and much like Connor in the first half, was not seriously tested until a misplaced pass gave E.P a chance of a consolation goal but an excellent save from the Lancing keeper denied them.
Quite a bit of pace on show on the flanks in the second half from Lancing to add to Reece Hallard and Tyrone Madhani in the first half. Matia Tamale made up for the absence of Finn Daniels-Yeoman with some real determination in the heart of the midfield. Good to see Darius Goldsmith back.
Dave Wilmott
