EP still seeking season’s first win

Alfie Gritt has netted four league goals for East Preston since signing in the summer

EP head coach Paul Ettridge was a unimpressed with his side’s performance and said: “We just did not play anywhere near the levels that we can in this one.

“As a team we did not get the ball down and play football in the way that we usually do.

“It’s difficult to put my finger on why we haven’t been able to do that and I’m really disappointed.

“Our problem is at the moment we are making silly mistakes and then being punished for them. It’s something that we need to cut out going forward now.”

Lancers’ Callum Fidler was the first goalkeeper called into action as he got down well to Ryan Hallett’s 25-yard strike in the first minute.

Lancing began to impose themselves on the game and went ahead on ten minutes. Josh Spinks’ crossfield ball was misjudged by David Rocha which allowed Lewis Finney in behind and he remained composed to slot under the onrushing Darren Ford.

It was 2-0 four minutes later when Alex Bygraves bundled home the rebound after Ford had saved a header from Naim Rouane’s free kick.

Alfie Gritt (right) has netted four times in five league matches for East Preston this season

George Laughlin nearly pulled one back for the home side eight minutes before the break after he exchanged passes with Chad Milner but, after cutting on to his right foot, his effort sailed just over.

Finney then struck a post on 39 minutes, before Alex Fair was denied by Ford just before the break from Mike Williamson’s pinpoint pass.

The visitors were dominant in the second period and should have secured all three points on 54 minutes. George Fenton’s lung-busting run from left-back saw him get to the byline and square for Bygraves, who should have done better with his finish.

EP had Ford to thank once again for keeping the score at two when Fenton broke down the left again, cut inside and his shot was parried wide by the home side’s stopper.

Lancing did make it 3-0 with eight minutes to go, Rouane’s corner was spilled by Ford and Adams was quickest to react and slotted home.

Richard Greenfield almost added a fourth late on but his curling struck was superbly turned round the post by Ford.

EAST PRESTON: Ford; Rocha, John, Vine, Laughlin; Costa, Hallett, Abraham; Curtis Milner, Gritt, Chad Milner. Subs: Lowdell (Curtis Milner), Harris (Rocha), Bassett (John), Amoo, Purkiss.

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