Magpies Storm It In Actual Storm - Lancing vs. Loxwood

Rain affected conditions at Culver Road

This was my first weekend back from a lengthy trip around The United States and so was very keen to see a game. I wasn't going to let the heavy ruin my plans and so opted to watch Lancing host Loxwood on their waterproof plastic pitch in The Sussex County League. Due to it's remoteness, Loxwood's Plaistow Road ground is one I've wanted to visit for a while, I just need to work out how to get there. The only time I can remember seeing either side play was when I saw Loxwood visit Eastbourne United Association a couple of seasons ago. Both sides were comfortably in the top half of the table with Lancing in fourth and Loxwood in seventh, although Loxwood had played two games less.

Kick off at Culver Road

Both teams get into decent positions early on but both take a little while to adjust to the storm like conditions and on both occasions the ball goes harmlessly out of play. Lancing's first clear cut chance comes when the forward is able to barge through but his pull back is blazed over the bar. Loxwood come close as a short corner routine results in a dangerous ball into the area but the centre forward just can't connect. They take the lead when a ball to the back post isn't dealt with and the attacker is able to pull the back and the ball is slotted home from close range. Lancing are rocking and the centre back plays in the Loxwood forward with a poor back pass and he is grateful for his keeper who saves his blushes. He is however helpless to bail out his defence a few minutes later. A ball into the area is miss controlled by a defender and the ball falls to the striker who makes no mistake to make it two nil.

Loxwood on the attack in the first half

Loxwood pick up where they left off at the start of the second half and the Lancing defenders do well to block two shots in quick succession. They get the third goal when the winger smashes the ball into the opposite corner of the net from the corner of the penalty area. Lancing get into a rare decent attacking position but there is no one there to take advantage of the final pass. Loxwood make it four when the forward heads home a cross from deep from close range. Things go from bad to worse when the number 10 is sent off presumably for something he said to the referee. Despite the new handicap, Lancing have their best chance of the match shortly afterwards. The forward is played in by a fantastic ball but drags his effort wide of the target. It then becomes 10 versus 10 when a Loxwood player is sent off for a second yellow. In the closing stages Loxwood come close to fifth when the cross bar is struck with a fantastic shot from distance.  

A Loxwood cross into the area in the second half

Lancing is reached by trains from Victoria with the journey take about an hour and a quarter. Culver Road is then a ten minute stroll from the station. Despite the weather I still wanted to see the sea and close to the beach is The New Sussex Hotel which had Sky and BT Sports and was quite friendly. A very short walk from the ground is The Stanley Ale House which had an excellent selection of beers and had no music or TVs. The clubhouse at Culver Road looks like it is fairly new and had the usual selection of drinks. Not only was the programme a fantastic production, someone goes around the clubhouse offering everyone a team sheet which I thought was a great touch.

Side on view of the stand