Late goal condemns Lancaster City to first league defeat of the season

Lancaster City lost for the first time this season in the Northern Premier League.

Lancaster City arrived at the Hebburn Sports Ground still unbeaten in the Northern Premier League after a draw against Prescot Cables in Midweek, whilst Hebburn were also having a good start to the season lost 6-2 when they hosted Whitby Town and looking to get back to winning ways.

It was the Dollies who had the first chance of the game, with a Harrison Beeden header over from a Sam Bailey corner on 4 minutes and Jack Donaghy seeing his effort on the edge of the D go wide, but as the game went on both sides dealt with each others threat and chances were at a premium.

Dom Lawson saw his header come off the bar, once again from a Sam Bailey corner and that would be the best chance of the half with the Hebburn defence standing firm for the rest of the half, Charlie Bailey saw his 2 efforts on 23 minutes well blocked by the defence and Lawson once again shooting from 20 yards and no trouble for the Hebburn goalkeeper Adam Richardson.

The hosts were putting on the pressure as the half went on, with the Lancaster goal being well protected by James McClenaghan and the centre backs, but on 45 minutes the defence was breeched, a wicked cross from the left hand side found Paul Van Zandvliet and his shot at point-blank range was saved expertly by McClenaghan.

But two minutes later, a Liam Noble free kick was headed in by top goalscorer Amar Purewal, a real sucker punch as the first half was heading to a draw.

The second half Lancaster City came out the strongest, applying pressure from the off. A couple of corners were put on the nose of Adam Richardson which he needed to deal with and Aaron Bennett looking to replicate his goal on Tuesday night but he fired over.

The breakthrough came on 51 minutes.

A short corner, eventually crossed in by Sam Bailey wasn't punched away enough by the Hebburn shot stopper, and the following clearance landed at the feet of Charlie Bailey who had a shot from 15 yards out to send and with the aid of a deflection from Aidan Heywood sends the away fans into jubilation.

Hebburn rallied after that, on 56 minutes initial shot by Liam Murray was saved by McClenaghan, the followup by Purewal was blocked on the line by Sam Bailey and with the goal gaping, Joe Posthill saw his shot blocked by Harrison Beeden.

Another chance for Posthill followed before Nic Evangelinos had his best effort of the game go over the bar and debutant Dylan Thompson forcing a save from Adam Richardson.

The winning goal came on 81 minutes, Liam Nobles corner was not dealt with and the home side recycled the ball back to Noble, with his cross deflecting off Dylan Moonan at the feet of Jack Donaghy who fired the ball home from 12 yards out.

A late Sam Bailey strike which went over the bar and a couple of dangerous free kicks which were dealt with by the Hebburn defence, wasn't enough to get City back onto level terms, with Lancaster now in 9th place in the league.