Back to back wins for Lancaster City as Evangelinos continues fine form

A Nic Evangelinos strike in the first half was enough for Jimmy Marshall’s side to claim their first away win of the season in the Northern Premier League.

It wouldn’t be a Dollies match without an early opening, Nic Evangelinos broke inside the area and looked to lob Morpeth ‘keeper Dan Langley but his effort was denied with Langley wise to the intuitive effort.

Lancaster City began adding the pressure mid way through the second half. A dangerous corner from Bobby Bjork looked threatening but Langley was equal to effort. The shot stopper did look to create a quick counter but the move didn’t amount to anything.

City’s breakthrough came much earlier than in recent weeks, Nic Evangelinos notching his third in two games after 26 minutes. After a free kick was half cleared, Christian Sloan found Lewis Mansell in a wide position on the right flank. Mansell used his initiative and played a delightful ball across the box to Evangelinos who tapped home from close range for the lead.

It took until the 39th minute for the hosts to look threatening, a corner from their right flank was initially cleared but only as far as Dan Myers who saw his effort from distance fly over the bar.

Action was few and far between for the remaining minutes of the half but Jimmy Marshall’s side carried the lead heading into the break.

After the break, Joe Amison looked to be a bright spark off the right. Initially carrying the ball forward, his move forced him inside the area where he played a lofted ball towards Lewis Mansell who couldn’t quite direct his header goal wards.

Much like the fist half, City looked to manage the game with a slender advantage. Full debutant Steve Yawson looked to net on his first Dolly Blue appearance, Bjork’s dangerous ball in the air found Yawson who also couldn’t direct his header goal wards.

The Highwaymen did begin to look threatening late on in the game. Substitute Matty Griggs thought he’d equalised after making a run to the back post but his header could only ruffle the side netting from close range albeit a tight angle.

The pressure continued for Morpeth, only a moment later, a deep ball from midfield found Sam Hodgson who’d beaten the offside trap but he could only poke an effort wide at full stretch.

Player of the Match Toby Oliver did what all Rolls Royce’s do and that was deny a wonderful strike from late substitute Jeff Henderson. The makeshift forward drove to the edge of the area before firing towards Brad Kelly but Oliver’s diving block thwarted the opportunity.

There was one final chance for City to put the game to bed before injury time. Marcus Cusani did well to find Yawson in the area before he fizzed the ball into the Lawson who put is chance wide from close range.

After five minutes injury time, City had their victory confirmed as well as their first away win on the road and second win in a row.

Up next for City is another long journey to Gainsborough Trinity at the Kal Group Stadium.