COX LASHES MICKEY TAKERS

OUT-IN-THE COLD football managers desperate for his job are incensing Lancing boss Mark Cox who last week was given the Culver Road committee's backslap of confidence. He stormed: "They're turning up at our games, with their own players, and taking the mickey.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Nov 2004, 11:49 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:00 BST

"I'm very angry but I'm not going to name them. What they're doing is not the way I'd conduct myself. I just hope they realise how difficult it is. I got a vote of confidence on Saturday. I don't know if that's to be dreaded or not but Lancing have backed me and I'm here to stay and put it right."

On Saturday, in a 3-1 loss at Oakwood, after defeats of 4-1, 4-0 and 6-1, Cox rejigged Lancers, strikers Keith Mtambara and Mike Riley excelled in defence. New signing from Mile Oak, Ashley Bailey, debuted at left-back. Paul Ettridge moved up to midfield and winger Wesley Lopez to striker.

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Richard Lester, 37, formerly at Steyning, scored in the 82nd minute to make it 2-1 but ultimately only interrupted a Zac Newman hat-trick in the 15th, 47th and 90th minutes. The first two punished errors, the third hit Lancing on the break

Cox asserted: "We hit a post, we had chances to make it 2-2 and we were camped in their half. I think we've turned the corner."

LANCING: Everett; Mtambara, Court, Riley, Bailey; Costello, McDonald, Henry, Ettridge; Lester, Lopez. Subs: Willis (Costello HT), Neasor, Miller (Ettridge, Lopez 75).

On Tuesday, Wick needed a sweeping 80th-minute counter-attack from a Lancing corner kick to squeeze past Lancers 1-0 at Crabtree Park. Wick, managed by Andy Gander, Cox's Lancing predecessor but one, scored through Tom Manton but scarcely looked like doing so at any other time.

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Lancing included new signings Phil Reid, formerly with Lewes and Worthing's last Sussex Senior Cup-winning goalkeeper, and midfielder Graham Martin. They looked better organised, had striker Adam Burton back after injury, could have taken the lead through a Martin free kick, well saved, and might have equalised but for a misdirected Gavin Willis header.

LANCING: Reid; Mtambara, Riley, Bailey, Peters; Rhodie, McDonald, Martin, Ettridge; Burton, Lester. Subs: Wright (Ettridge inj 10), Willis (Rhodie 60), Aylward gk, Neasor, Miller.

Related topics:Lancing