Lancing return to winning ways in the league

The Lancers were winless in three matches heading into the match, following defeats to Loxwood and Dorking Wanderers and a draw against Selsey.

Lancing boss Richard Whittington was pleased with the response from his team and said: “It was a fairly even game of few chances as both teams cancelled each other out on a heavy pitch.

“I was pleased with the response of the players after last week’s heavy defeat to Dorking.

“I made a couple of changes from that game. Guy Church made his full debut at left-back, coming in from the reserves and he did a good job for the side.

“We had centre-back Josh Spinks back from injury, with George Fenton alongside him and this helped us a great deal at the back.

“We were much better defensively, worked hard and took our chances well on a pitch not conducive to our usual passing game.”

Lancers’ Callum Fidler was the first goalkeeper called into action as he made a fine save down to his right on ten minutes.

Lancing then took the lead 12 minutes later when Alex Fair netted for the fourth time in three matches. Mike Williamson received the ball in the centre of the field before finding Owen Callaghan and he threaded a fantastic through ball to find Fair, who finished well.

The second half proved to be a fairly quiet affair with neither goalkeeper having much to deal with.

The visitors made sure of all three points with just a minute left when Fair played in Williamson and he rounded the keeper before slotting into the empty net to make it 2-0.

The victory sees Lancing remain in 15th place in the table, still four points above the relegation zone after third-from-bottom Hailsham thrashed Arundel 7-2 on Saturday.

Lancing travel to title-challengers Eastbourne Town in the league on Saturday. Lancers are then away to mid-table Arundel on Tuesday.

LANCING: Fidler; Mills ,Church, Fenton, Spinks; Hendy, Williamson, Rouane, Fair; Callaghan, Finney. Subs: Phillips, Adams, Conway, Bygraves.