Lancing longing for return of football - and time when they can bond

Louis and James Rhodes took over as joint bosses of the SCFL premier division side in the summer after Naim Rouane and his No2 David Altendorff resigned.

They stood down amid disappointment at an FA decision to write off the non-league season that meant the club’s place at the top of the table in March had counted for nothing.

The men from Culver Road are ninth in the SCFL premier having won five of their ten games, but are through to the second round of the FA Vase.

In the Vase, they will play the winners of the Worthing United-Edgware tie, which is being replayed after Edgware were found to have played an ineligible player in their win at Lyons Way.

Lancers joint boss Louis said: “Regarding the start to the season, overall I am happy.

“There was a lot of movement and changes after last season with players and management so Rhodesy and I knew there was some work to do on and off the pitch.

“We asked Matt Evans to step up to be first team coach and he has been brilliant as he has a lot of experience with coaching and management and most importantly he is a top guy.

“In out last game, in the FA Vase, we went up to Reading City and put in a great second half performance to take the win back with us.

“I feel we were getting into the groove in the last few weeks before this lockdown so we will look to carry on how we left off.”

Louis praised the squad’s commitment to the cause.

“All the guys have been great from pre-pre-season, when we started training before we had official start dates.

“Mitch Bromage has been brilliant in goal, Finn Daniels-Yeomans is a great leader on and off the pitch, Ebou Jallow has come straight in and also lea the team well.

“Mo Juwara has been man of the match in the past few games before everything come to a halt but overall we’re very pleased with everyone on and off the pitch.”

Louis rated the Lancers’ 2-1 win at home to Saltdean and 2-1 home loss to Horley as their best displays so far.

“In both games we gave our all and stuck to our principles.

“In the Saltdean game that paid off and against Horley we probably counted ourselves unlucky to not come away with at least a point.”

Louis said the stop-start nature of the campaign so far made things hard for all teams.

“It hasn't been the easiest by any means – considering we are at the Sussex FA headquarters we have to be very strict on restrictions and guidelines and rightly so.

“With so many new players coming in we havent had a chance to really gel and socialise in the changing rooms and the bar as you usually would in a normal season.

“It has made it more work to plan for games and training but the players haven’t complained and we just appreciate being able to get out the house and play the game we love, whether it’s training or matches.

“Considering the circumstances they have been great and very committed.”

Louis now wants to see signs of continued progress when the action resumes next month.

“My hopes for the remainder of the season, if that it can be completed of course, andwho knows what is around the corner, are mainly that we are always building and progressing, as well as enjoying every chance we get to be together on and off of the pitch,” he said.