Sharman hails Lancing's showing in win at Golds

Fintan Walsh’s early effort, then strikes from debutants Leon Dramis and Sam Blundell in the second 45 minutes, ensured Lancers secured a 3-1 victory at The Sportsfield.

Following the win, Lancing moved up into the top half of the Southern Combination League Premier Division standings. They now trail place-above Loxwood and Newhaven, in eighth, by just two points.

Lancers boss John Sharman felt the victory over Littlehampton was a sign of what his side are capable of.

He said: “It was a really pleasing win. We were really good going forward, solid at the back, I’d say it was almost the perfect all-round display.

“I caught up with a few of the old Littlehampton stalwarts afterwards and they said we were the only side in it.

“They’ve got a really good squad and had signed players in the build-up, so I was unsure of what to expect from them.

“We started really well and set the tone for the afternoon by the way we got going. After they pulled it back to 2-1, we had a little ten minute spell of pressure to deal with but other than that we were in command.

“For the vast majority we had some really good possession, the only downside was we didn’t take a few more of our chances.”

Lancing got off to a flying start when 16-year-old Walsh - making his start for Lancers - fired them ahead inside ten minutes. A free-flowing move was started by Walsh, who continued his run, then was on hand to slot home after Lewis Finney had a shot saved.

Finney then saw a cross diverted into his own net by a Littlehampton defender just after the half-hour, only for the linesman to flag for offside with a Lancers playing interfering with play.

Lancing started the second just as they did the first, with a goal. This time around debutant Dramis was the man to get it as Lancers opened up a two-goal lead.

Golds found a way back into the game 20 minutes from time following confusion in Lancing’s backline. Stand-in goalkeeper Callum Fidler came to collect a pass, only for Jack Cole to nip in, round the keeper and slot home.

Lancers faced a ten-minute spell of intense pressure before finishing in style.

Another debutant, Sam Blundell, who was introduced from the bench, rifled home from ten yards to ensure all three points for Lancing.

With just a two-point gap between them and eighth place at present, Sharman is hopeful his side can build on this win.

He added: “We’ve got a tough game against Pagham to come on Saturday but they’ve been struggling of late. We’ve moved into the top half of the table with this win and I hope we can keep pushing up the league and go on a little run in the games coming up.”

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