Lancaster City suffer heavy defeat at Worksop

Lewis Mansell’s strike in the opening stages of the second half wasn’t enough as City fell to a 4-1 defeat to promotion pushing Worksop Town.

City began the game the stronger of the two sides, loanee Crispin McLean played in a delightful ball looking for Harrison Beeden at the back post. He met the header and directed an effort goal wards forcing Tommy Taylor was equal too.

City’s positive was soon halted as Charlie Bailey and Marcus Cusani saw the Dolly Blues go down to ten men after 13 minutes. A cleared ball fell to Christian Sloan who misjudged the flight of the ball allowing Aleksandr Starchenko to break free. Sloan was found guilty of dragging his man to the ground and the referee made his quick decision to send him marching.

The man advantage played dividends for Worksop who began adding the pressure throughout the first half. The best chance of the host’s spell was Liam Hughes’ header from 12 yards being well saved by the returning Lewis Forshaw.

City closed out the first half well and kept play off chasing Worksop at bay despite being a man down.

It was a dream start to the second for Lancaster City who began in similar fashion to the first half. Lewis Mansell found himself with acres of time and space inside the penalty area before Tommy Taylor looked to close down the number 9. With instinct, Mansell saw the gap over the ‘keeper and lobbed the ball over him to give City a precious lead.

The lead however, only last ten minutes. Just after the hour mark, Luke Hall received the ball on the edge of the area before drilling an effort low and hard into the bottom left corner to put the game back on level terms.

The man advantage soon became prominent for The Tigers. Aleksandr Starchenko put the hosts in front. Reegan Hutchinson’s ball in from the right was perfectly weighted for Starchenko to head goal wards unopposed.

Despite a slight reshuffle, Worksop continued to attack and score against a weakened City side. 11 minutes remaining of the game, Starchenko had a brace and Worksop’s third. Luke Hall curled a cross into the box off the left, and Starcenko is on hand once again to head past Forshaw for 3-1.

The show continued for Worksop who added their fourth and final goal of the afternoon courtesy of Liam Hughes. He brought the ball down inside the area before spinning a crashing a volley into the corner to all but secure a play off spot for the hosts.

Up next for City is the visit of Whitby Town to The Giant Axe next Saturday.