This hurts.

These boys have always tried and given their all, we've had some games where we were the better team and things didn't go our way or that bit of luck bounces the other way but unfortunately today we helped Lancing take the win.

After our last game against Buxted didn't go ahead due to some mishaps on the 3G part, the boys were keen to get back to playing after a couple weeks since Willingdon.

A few people unavailable and we had 13 players to utilize today. Oliver back in Goal, Charlie slotted in at RB, Toby, Cam and Dean completed the back line. Stan, Jack and Sam were our midfield and Harley, Kieron and Stephen finished the front line. Fred's and Lewis B were our subs today.

Starting out we got the ball and were doing our best to keep the ball however we kept playing it back to a yellow shirt instead of a red shirt. There were a few chances early on from Lancing to go long but the back line held well and snuffed out the danger.

Stephen, Harley, Sam and Kieron were pressing really well early on and causing panic in the Lancing back line, so much so that Stephen and Harley shut down the keeper and LB that the keeper tried to play a pass across the edge of the box but Kieron latched onto it and hit a towards goal but it was just over the bar with an empty net begging for a finish.

With just over 10 minutes gone, we made our first mistake and after winning a free kick from an good offside, we played the ball into the middle, straight to a lancing player. They sent the ball over the top for their striker to run through and a mix up between Oliver and Cam saw Oliver take out Cam and the striker have an empty net to roll the ball into. Frustrating. 0-1

The boys continued to probe and gained a footing in the game, the ball was sticking with the passes a bit more and we were starting to utilise the set pieces like throw ins, Corners and free kicks to get a better chance. Stephen came close with a shot, Sam and Harley too.

After 20 we made our first sub with Lewis B coming in for Sam. Harley slotted into the 10 role and Lewis went out wide and this is where our goal came from a few minutes later.

Lancing had a corner and Cam with 3 players around him rose highest to clear the ball. As it dropped out to the player on the edge of the area, a heavy touch from the Lancing player gave Stan the chance to put in a thumping tackle, winning the ball and playing it out to Lewis. Lewis B took the ball and played it into Stephen on the half way line. Stephen held it up and sent Lewis through with a brilliant right footed pass. Lewis took a touch and holding off the defender, hit a brilliant low shot from miles out that beat the keeper. 1-1

With 30 gone, we made our next subs with Stephen and Harley making way for Freddie and Sam. The game was slowing down at this point with a few long balls from each team and the back lines for both teams holding strong.

HT - TD - 1 - LANCING -1

At the half the boys knew they were in the game and if they kept their focus they could get something out of this game. The boys had battled hard and wanted to continue that.

We came out of the half and looked a little sluggish and this is where the mistakes picked back up. We began by not tracking our runners, giving the ball away way too easy and got way too sloppy.

A slip up at the back gave Lancing the lead not long into the second half. The ball was lost near the edge of the area and with oliver unable to see due to the sunlight, dived and pushed the ball into the net. 1-2

After 10 we made the next subs with Harley and Stephen coming back on for Lewis and Freddie. We started to get back into the game and get a bit more joy down both wings. Harley and Sam with their speed were causing panic while Kieron and Stephen with their hard work and footwork were keeping us pressing. Stan and Jack were holding well and Cam, Toby, Dean and Charlie were working hard to keep the chances to a minimum. Oliver was sweeping up well and several times saved our bacon at 1-2.

The game was closer until the 62nd minute when we gave away the ball from our own attacking throw, went all the way back to Oliver and when trying to play it out from the back, Toby got his pass intercepted and a pass through to the striker made it 1-3.

We continued to press and Sam came very close with 2 chances, going past their CB both times only to be met by the keeper with a great save with his feet the first time and the second shot going just over the bar.

Not long after Sam's chances, we shot ourselves in the foot again and this time was similar to the last one. No danger, playing the ball back to the defence and Oliver who rushed and sent the pass towards Cam who wasn't ready and the ball went past him and straight to the Lancing midfielder who just had to knock it past Oliver for 1-4. Heads fully gone at this point and the boys started with the handbags and verbals after the lancing number 14 run 50 yards to boot the ball at Cam and say something while running back the other way. Not sure why but his manager subbed him right off.

Sam had another chance that went just over the bar before Stephen had a few half chances that were well blocked. Stan continued to run hard in the middle and was unlucky with his free kick hitting the wall. Lewis B had come on for Jack for the last 10.

Lancing got their final goal, this time from a poor clearance by Cam that only reached their left back who sent a hopeful ball into the middle of the box and Oliver walking out to collect it was beaten to it by the Lancing forward who had lost Cam with his run. Dinked past OIiver for 1-5 and just a self inflicted mess of a second half.

FT - TD - 1- LANCING - 5

Honestly i don't like having to do reports like this and it may seem like I am calling players out but when mistakes happen we have to be accountable and learn from them otherwise they will continue to happen. Today we made too many individual mistakes and too many team mistakes. The heads dropped after we conceded the 3rd and it was a battle from there. It has been an usual sight seeing the boys loose a game let alone this many in the season so it is going to be about how they react as a squad, how we react as a Coaching team and how we can come together to see that the end of the season and this run of 8 games can be the strongest that we can possibly put together. The boys made a comment earlier that too many people are not bothered that we are losing games and that it doesn't effect them. I can promise you that these loses do and we will work hard to come back from this. We want the best for these boys and we will continue to work hard and get them to play as a team, learn from the mistakes so we don't keep making them and help get us to a strong finish for the season. We believe in these boys, we know you, the supporters and parents believe in them, we now need the boys to believe in themselves.

MOTM- Kieron F - Another good performance from Kieron on the left. Working hard with Dean and creating chances with his quick feet and dangerous running. Unlucky not to get a goal today.