Lancing don't do things easily ... and Golds run is over

But this time, against North Greenford, supporters could savour another FA Vase victory, albeit after a penalty shootout.

Lancing survived a couple of early scares as their visitors started on the front foot. Mitch Bromage was forced to make an early save and Joe Kennard needed to be alert when danger threatened.

Greenford were quick on the break and Mo Juwara halted a threat from the right. Lancing began to create opportunities, Ben Connolly and Josh Gould going close.

After Bromage got a fingertip to a powerful shot, he kept out the follow-up when a goal looked certain. Soon Greenford punished a misplaced pass from the back to take the lead on 25 minutes.

Three minutes later. Ebou Jallow chested down a cross from Harrison Parker but was pushed in the back as he created space. Jallow took the penalty but his shot was easily saved by Sam House.

Jallow made amends minutes later, executing a perfect pass over the top of the Greenford defence for Connolly to run on to and hit a shot into the far corner off the upright.

Lancing were now in the ascendency.

Ten minutes into the second half, Lancing took the lead. Matt Daniel was put in the clear and kept his cool to find the back of the net.

Chances were being created at both ends. Dave Sharman cleared a header from under the bar and player-manager James Rhodes struck a shot just wide.

Greenford’s pressure told when sub Ryan King rose to head home from a corner with a minute of normal time left.

Added time was running out and tension was mounting as Greenford strove for a winner. Sub Toluwaloju James got embroiled in an altercation with Harrison Parker. In a fiery end to the game, Greenford sub Toluwaloju James was dismissed with Harrison Parker seeing yellow.

In the shootout, Rhodes Matt Daniel and Will Berry scored for Lancing before Bromage flew to his left to save a Greenford kick. Jallow made it 4-2,Greenford converted their fourth but Juwara put away the clincher.

Lancing will host Flackwell Heath oin round four on January 9.

Lancing v North Greenford picture special.

Littlehampton Town v Hanworth Villa picture special.

* Littlehampton Town’s FA Vase adventure is over – but only after a drama-filled third round tie against Hanworth Villa.

Golds fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 and take the tie to a penalty shootout.

That went the distance, too, but one Golds penalty that struck the bar spelled the end of the run as Hanworth ran out 5-4 winners.

Town can be proud of their efforts in the Vase this season, both on and off the field.

They have beaten some good sides along the way while the club’s officials have done superbly to get matches on, including two against teams who were visiting from Covid tier three areas.

Now Littlehampton can go back to focusing on the league – although with fixtures suspended at least until the end of next week, it looks like all local teams are in for an extended mid-season break.