FOOTBALL: Weekly County League round-up

The win was Lancers' first clean sheet of the season, and Gander said: "The conditions made it difficult but it was a good way to get back on track.

"Keeping the clean sheet was pleasing, as we've conceded too many goals and been our own worst enemies too often this season.

"Pete Proto (signed from Worthing United) played very well for us on his debut and hopefully now we'll be more consistent.

"That's the area we need to work on and if that improves, we can push on and take each games as it comes.

"I'd like a top six finish, although it's too early to tell at the moment."

A much-changed Lancers side played with the wind in the first half and went close through Danny Clayton, Nick Green and Darren Boswell before the latter struck home a free kick from Green's lay off two minutes before half-time after Michael Sims was fouled.

The swirling wind made playing football difficult, and EP almost snatched a point at the death, but Luke Green preserved the win with two late saves.

Gander added: "Luke came back into the team and repaid me with some important saves. It wasn't a pretty game but we got the job done."

LANCING: Green; Mighall, Ford, P. Proto; Boswell, Beard, Sims, Garnham; Clayton, R. Loversidge. Subs: Aylward, Tuppin, Aslan, Howard.

Worthing United lost for only the second time this season in a 3-1 defeat at Southwick last Friday night.

This meant that on Saturday Rye cut their lead at the top of Division 2 to one point, after their 5-1 over Rustington.

United had gone seven games unbeaten while Southwick had lost eight consecutive games but the form book went out the window last week.

United joint boss Jason Rutherford said: "All runs have to end, ours has, and I'm looking for a response.

"I'm hoping this is just a blip as we haven't had one yet and I'm thinking about getting new players in to give the squad some competition for places.

"It was a bad day at the office, they were fired up for it and my job is to ensure it doesn't happen again."

Ryan Walton put Wickers ahead after only four minutes and Grant Bean doubled their advantage six minutes later.

Richard Carter struck the post but United did give themselves hope when Gareth Green flicked home Chris Hibberd's inswinging free kick.

Skipper Julian Curnow was sent off for foul and abusive language and Neil Harris compounded the misery with Southwick's third five minutes from time.

Rutherford added: "Losing Julian (Curnow) for three games is a huge blow and with Tony (Miles) still not fit, we'll need to get someone in or play someone out of position as we're light in that department."

UNITED: Standen; Hunt, Curnow, Elliot; Bentley, Hayward, Hibberd, Georgiou, Joseph; Green, Annis. Subs: Carter, Philpott (Georgiou, Bentley 73), Saunders, Packer.

Storrington crashed out of the Sussex RUR Cup in 3rd round on Tuesday night after suffering a 3-1 defeat at home by Southwick.

After a fairly subdued first half Swans took the lead through a Gary Stacey own goal five minutes into the second half.

The Swans then completely switched off at the back and conceded three goals in the space on 20 minutes.

Southwick's Jamie Strideford headed home from a corner of 70 minutes, before Dave MacNeil did the same five minutes later.

Storrington failed to push the Wickers for an equaliser as their goalkeeper Sam Harding had little to do between the sticks.

Ryan Walton sealed things for Southwick on 90 minutes to earn them a place in the next round, while Storrington's inconsistent form remains.

The Swans' home match with Wealden in Division 2 on Saturday was postponed due to the adverse weather conditions.

STORRINGTON: Elliott; Davis, Sleat, Blaydon, Carter; Tidman, Rhodie, Humphreys, Tasker; Ayres, Harding. Subs: Adebayo (Tidman), Jearum (Rhodie), Colwell.

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