COX LASHES MICKEY TAKERS
"I'm very angry but I'm not going to name them. What they're doing is not the way I'd conduct myself. I just hope they realise how difficult it is. I got a vote of confidence on Saturday. I don't know if that's to be dreaded or not but Lancing have backed me and I'm here to stay and put it right."
On Saturday, in a 3-1 loss at Oakwood, after defeats of 4-1, 4-0 and 6-1, Cox rejigged Lancers, strikers Keith Mtambara and Mike Riley excelled in defence. New signing from Mile Oak, Ashley Bailey, debuted at left-back. Paul Ettridge moved up to midfield and winger Wesley Lopez to striker.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdRichard Lester, 37, formerly at Steyning, scored in the 82nd minute to make it 2-1 but ultimately only interrupted a Zac Newman hat-trick in the 15th, 47th and 90th minutes. The first two punished errors, the third hit Lancing on the break
Cox asserted: "We hit a post, we had chances to make it 2-2 and we were camped in their half. I think we've turned the corner."
LANCING: Everett; Mtambara, Court, Riley, Bailey; Costello, McDonald, Henry, Ettridge; Lester, Lopez. Subs: Willis (Costello HT), Neasor, Miller (Ettridge, Lopez 75).
On Tuesday, Wick needed a sweeping 80th-minute counter-attack from a Lancing corner kick to squeeze past Lancers 1-0 at Crabtree Park. Wick, managed by Andy Gander, Cox's Lancing predecessor but one, scored through Tom Manton but scarcely looked like doing so at any other time.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdLancing included new signings Phil Reid, formerly with Lewes and Worthing's last Sussex Senior Cup-winning goalkeeper, and midfielder Graham Martin. They looked better organised, had striker Adam Burton back after injury, could have taken the lead through a Martin free kick, well saved, and might have equalised but for a misdirected Gavin Willis header.
LANCING: Reid; Mtambara, Riley, Bailey, Peters; Rhodie, McDonald, Martin, Ettridge; Burton, Lester. Subs: Wright (Ettridge inj 10), Willis (Rhodie 60), Aylward gk, Neasor, Miller.