Lancaster City start new year with Mickleover stalemate

In the aftermath of a glorious rainbow at The Giant Axe, the Dolly Blues had the opportunity to maintain and round off their unbeaten run during the festive period.

The fact that Chris Willcock had elected to pick the same squad for this game as the one that had won at Bamber Bridge showed his and the Lancaster contingent’s belief that momentum could really build with a positive result and, early on, it certainly looked a possibility.

Charlie Bailey has really stepped up to the plate in the absence of club captain and brother Sam and he was a key player in many of the Dollies’ first half chances.

The visitors played fast and loose with the ball on occasion which gave Lancaster the chance to win the ball back high up the pitch, and six minutes in Bailey did just that, before finding a free Aaron Bennett.

The number 10’s effort was blocked but the ball came back out to Brayden Shaw, who opened his account for the Dolly Blues on Boxing Day and, if it wasn’t for Mickleover shot-stopper Yusuf Mersin making a low save to his left, it would have been two in two.

Two minutes later, Shaw found himself in with a shot at goal again, thanks to great work from the skipper.

He latched onto Charlie Bailey’s sensational long ball down the right and struck first time from just inside the box, only to be denied by Mersin’s outstretched leg.

After that, it wasn’t until midway through the first half that Lancaster really threatened again. An attempted header by Mickleover defender Dan Benson came off the back of the head and allowed Marcus Cusani to have a go, one on one in yards of space, but Mersin kept it goalless once more.

Midfield engine Christian Sloan was forced off on 33 minutes after he landed awkwardly just outside the centre circle. His replacement, Nic Evangelinos, almost made an instant impact.

Lewis Mansell and Aaron Bennett combined well to tee up the substitute but his header just found the wrong side of goal.

Evangelinos had another chance four minutes later after Charlie Bailey sent a cross in but he couldn’t strike the ball cleanly.

For all of their dominance in the opening 30 to 35 minutes, it could be argued that it wasn’t Lancaster who missed the better opportunities of the half.

With two minutes of the opening 45 remaining, Dollies ‘keeper Aiden Dowling came off his line to clear the ball and sent it long, as far as Ryan Wilson on the halfway line.

Mickleover’s number eight tried a speculative effort which, fortunately for Lancaster, bounced inelegantly near the goal line and looped (just) over the bar.

The Dolly Blues did recover from that nervy moment though. After a frustrating first half from a set piece perspective, Aaron Bennett, Charlie Bailey and Lewis Coulton combined superbly to set up one of if not the best chance of the half for the hosts.

Bennett played the corner short and played a one two with Charlie Bailey before spraying the ball out to Lewis Coulton on the edge of the box. Coulton then threaded a pass through to Bennett, who saw his ball across the box cut out by a ‘Sports’ player.

Lancaster had another scare prior to the half time whistle. The away side broke on the counter with ease through the pacy Marcus Barnes, whose run started in his own half and continued down the right hand side, unmarked and unchallenged until getting in line with the 18-yard box.

After all his hard work, he opted to be unselfish and pick out Jamie Soule in the middle but the number 11 sliced his effort wide, much to the disbelief and dismay of the travelling fans.

Three minutes after the restart, Lancaster had two more great opportunities to break the deadlock but continued to be frustrated.

Bailey’s cross-field ball was met by Coulton who fizzed a low ball into Evangelinos but his shot was blocked. Moments later, Coulton had an effort himself and Yusuf Mersin was at his best to keep it out, he tipped the ball onto the crossbar before it was cleared away.

Mickleover had a couple of half chances - firstly, Marcus Barnes moved too early and the linesman had his flag up before the visitors’ number nine took a shot on goal. Five minutes later, amidst a flurry of corners for both sides, Ryan Wilson’s in-swinger almost found its way directly into the net but Dylan Moonan cleared.

‘Sports’ skipper Andy Dales troubled Aiden Dowling’s goal twice in as many minutes with most of the second half played. His first effort was low and tame, easily saved by the Dolly Blues’ number one, but Dowling had to be at full stretch for the second, which crashed against the woodwork after it was directed away from goal.

Four minutes later, at the other end, Evangelinos came close to scoring yet again, latching onto Dylan Thompson’s inch-perfect, whipped cross but his powerful half-volley was just wide.

Substitute Josh Abbott tried an acrobatic effort in the closing stages of the game but it was held by Mersin, before Brayden Shaw cleared the ball off the line from a Mickleover corner.

The two sides could not be separated, largely thanks to stellar defensive displays from both teams. City’s number five and heart of the back three, Harrison Beeden, was named Player of the Match.

The Dolly Blues remain in ninth, six points off the playoff points with most of the teams above them having games in hand.

There’s no game for Chris Willcock’s side this weekend so next up is the visit of Prescot Cables to The Giant Axe on Saturday 11th January.