Golds lose at home to Lancing

Unbeaten Lancers trailed 2-1 at half-time but a Richard Hudson double and a late Wayne Joseph strike gave them their 10th win from 13 league games this season.

After half-chances at either end, Littlehampton went ahead from the penalty spot on 20 minutes. Lee Gibbs clipped Barney Boutwood in the penalty area and referee Wayne Webb had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Niall O’Hagan’s penalty was saved by Lancers keeper Matt Evans but the ball fell kindly for O’Hagan, who simply tapped home.

Lancing’s Darren Annis had an effort saved by debutant Golds keeper Jaime Banasco-Zaragoza on 25 minutes before he levelled four minutes later with a hopeful lob from the left-hand side of the penalty area after a skilful run by Hudson.

Evans saved well from a Chris Hazell header on 32 minutes before Golds regained their lead on 40 minutes. Adam Goff’s free kick from the halfway line was only half-cleared and skipper Ross McKay controlled and then unleashed a stunning 20-yard volley which flew into the top corner, via the underside of the bar.

Golds’ Richard Ghent lobbed over on 55 minutes when he had to stretch to reach Daryl Wollers’ cross and Lancing switched from a 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 formation moments later.

It had an immediate effect, too, as Hudson won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area after he was fouled by Matt Russell and Hudson curled home the resulting free kick low into the far corner.

Banasco-Zaragoza brilliantly tipped over a Shaheen Sadough shot on 64 minutes as Lancers began to up the tempo and threaten more frequently.

Joseph had an effort cleared off the line by Nathan Peacock before Lancing took the lead on 71 minutes. Annis was brought down in the penalty area by McKay and Hudson sent Banasco-Zaragoza the wrong way from the spot.

Lancing had the majority of the chances from then on, although Golds’ Hazell did see a header from a Richie Hellen free kick pushed behind by Evans.

Sadough was denied by Banasco-Zaragoza three times in the closing stages before Lancing made sure of the win in the fifth minute of injury-time when Annis released Joseph, who ran through and slotted home.

Littlehampton dropped to fifth and their boss John Suter said: “They are a good side. With players like Sadough, Hudson and Annis, they keep the ball so well in the final third. We worked so hard when they were keeping the ball that we just ran out of legs, although I thought the fourth goal was harsh on us.

“Adam Goff and Jaime, who made some terrific saves, were my joint men of the match.”

LITTLEHAMPTON: Banasco-Zaragoza; Goff, McKay, Hazell, Wollers; Gaskin, Russell, O’Hagan, Peacock; Ghent, Boutwood. Subs: Hellen (Russell 67), Beadle (Boutwood 72), Taylor (Gaskin 80), Gritt, Askew.