LANCERS FACE ARUNDEL TEST

Last Wednesday, Lancers were shocked 5-0 at home in Division 2 by promoted St Francis Rangers. Then on Saturday they came home from Ramsgate 7-0 abject losers in the FA Cup preliminary round.

Headers by Lee Bushell (35min), and Chris Cooke (40, 56) punished ball-watching defenders at set-pieces for a 3-0 Rangers lead. Then Martin Schlieder (61) shot home unchallenged and Tony Burnham made it five when Andrew Crush and keeper James Everett had a mix-up.

Otherwise the exchanges were even, but Kent League Premier Division side Ramsgate exposed a spineless Lancing presence at the Southwood Stadium.

New Lancing manager Mark Cox, whose players come mainly from the Brighton area, growled: "We were awful. Just a shambles. The worst performance by any side I've ever put out. I don't know why '” it was the FA Cup, for heaven's sake.

"I was embarrassed for everyone.We missed a chance in the first minute, they soon scored and then we might as well have come straight home.

"Saturday's Vase game will be difficult. Not the sort of game we want, but just having to perform could be the lift we need. There'll be half a dozen changes from Saturday."

Arundel boss Steve Johnson said: "It's going to be difficult for us. These are the most dangerous games. We haven't played well, albeit we're second. I'm not convinced we're good enough to be where we are. I'm not excited by my team yet.

"If we play well we can beat anyone but if not, it's a struggle.

"

LANCING v St Francis: Everett, Dray, Howarth, Crush, Thompson; McDonald, Henry, Mtambara, Lopez; Peters, Devers. Subs: O'Regan (Peters 61), Cattell (Devers 82), Rhodie, Aylward gk. Att: 109.

LANCING at Ramsgate: Everett; Crush, Howarth, Gilmour, Thompson; McDonald, Henry, Mtambara; Costello, Devers, Lopez. Subs: O'Regan (Costello 55), Rhodie (Mtambara 60), White (Henry 65), Manthorpe gk. Att: 126. Ramsgate scorers: W.Schultz 8, O.Schultz 11, Brown 20, Takaloo 35, own goal 61, Taylor 75, Vahia 85.