Dollies delight on the road as Sam Bailey takes interim charge

Under new stewardship, Lancaster City hit Basford United for four to climb away from the relegation zone.

City needed a bright start and that’s exactly what they got off to in Nottingham. Debutant Crispin Mclean looked to impress in the opening stages as his ball set Marcus Cusani free down the left, inside the area. The chance couldn’t be converted by Cusani but a fortuitous rebound off Saul Deeney’s trailing leg placed the ball back into the path of Mclean who flashed a shot across goal and just wide of the far right post inside the opening ten minutes.

The Lancaster City chances came thick and fast with Mclean at the heart of most. The Fleetwood loanee kept the ball alive following an attempted launch into the box from the right by heading back to Sam Bailey who came close to nudging City in front from an unfavourable angle.

Marcus Cusani also proved to be a valuable outlet on the left hand side as he came close to notching his first goal of the season. Lewis Mansell and Cusani linked up well from a throw with the latter exploiting the space to reach the area. However, an on rushing Saul Deeney prevented Cusani’s goal hopes by poking the ball away to safety.

City’s early pressure didn’t relent and after 30 minutes, the deadlock was broken. A throw from the right was played back to Sam Bailey who swung in a tempting ball. Nathan Caine was the initial recipient but his intuitive dummy allowed an unlikely goalscorer in Harrison Beeden to sweep the ball low into the bottom left corner from 12 yards. His second of the season coming on the road once more.

The hosts weren’t going to allow Lancaster City to have it all their own way in the first half. The first threatening chance for Basford fell to Jack Goodman who flashed a header just wide of Aidan Dowling’s far post after a surging run from Taylor Anderson.

The hosts came close once more to levelling the game as captain Matt Thornhill aimed a cross back inside the area after keeping a set piece alive. Initially only half cleared by the head of Conor Haughey, the rebound fell kindly to Josh Barnes who rattled the crossbar from 18 yards.

The final action came in favour of Lancaster City as Christian Sloan doubled the advantage just before half time. Sloan started and finished his own goal by recieving the ball off Marcus Cusani just inside Basford’s half. A Messie-esque run saw Sloan dance around the Basford defence before a chipped ball forward placed him kindly inside the penalty area.

Despite the angle being somewhat against City’s number seven, a lovely curled effort into the top right corner beat Saul Deeney and put Lancaster City in a kind position at the break.

The second 45 began exactly how the first did, with City adding the pressure. Harrison Beeden and Marcus Cusani looked to find an opening for a third goal but to no avail with both efforts ending just over the bar in quick succession.

Crispin Mclean once again showed his ability down the left flank, a low driven cross found an open Nathan Caine who almost opened his account for club if not for a fantastic point blank range save from Saul Deeney at his near post.

After a period of well maintained possession for City and fresh legs on the pitch, Marcus Cusani came close once again as the game approached its final 20 minutes. From a corner, top goalscorer Lewis Mansell headed towards Saul Deeney who denied the forward. Another fortunate rebound assisted Cusani who also looked destined to score but a vital goal line clearance kept Basford just the two goals down.

However, a new introduction to the pitch soon found himself on the scoresheet one again. Dom Lawson drifted out wide on the right flank before losing a ball into the area to no avail but a back peddling Cusani seized the opportunity to win his duel and keep the ball alive.

A few turns inside the area shifted Cusani onto his left foot which produced a perfect ball into the path of Brayden Shaw who made no mistake in adding a third to City’s lead after 73 minutes.

The goals continued to flow for City as well as the debut delight. After being introduced to the action late in the game, Charlie Cox made an instant impact. Another substitute in the shape of Josh Abbott worked the ball well into the path of Cox who had beaten the offside trap set by Basford. Cox only needed one touch before firing low and hard into the bottom right corner from just inside the area in the 83rd minute.

Following a serious injury to Basford’s Josh Barnes, the game’s remaining time was played out. Every one at Lancaster City sends their best wishes to Josh who we hope makes a very speedy recovery. Basford United have launched a GoFundMe and if you are in a position to donate, your help will be much appreciated by Josh.

Lancaster City will be on the road again next Saturday as another long trip to Ilkeston Town awaits.