Lancaster City suffer first defeat in four against Rushall Olympic

Lancaster City were beaten for the first time in four games against Rushall Olympic in the Northern Premier League at the Giant Axe.

A waterlogged pitch caused the meeting between the two sides three weeks before Christmas to be abandoned, before the initial rearranged game in January was postponed due to freezing temperatures.

The whole game - but particularly the first 45 - was fairly cagey and contested in the midfield. In the opening 10 minutes, Joe Amison had his blushes spared by the crossbar after trying to get the ball away from danger.

Sam Bailey’s corners were a source of promise for City but all were, eventually, dealt with by the Rushall Olympic backline.

Amison and Dom Lawson saw efforts in the final few minutes of the first half go respectively slightly over and just wide, in the period of the game where the Dollies had the most clear-cut chances.

Alex Moore tried to go for glory early on in the second half for the visitors and it wasn’t a bad hit, but it was just over.

Lawson had seen a great cross elude his teammates in the first half and, in the second, he battled to get onto the end of Sam Bailey’s delivery but couldn’t quite get there.

Luke Enright forced a stellar stop from Brad Kelly as his low effort looked destined for goal, but the City number one was there to deny him.

Simon Grand and Charlie Bailey’s efforts from set pieces didn’t test ‘Pics’ keeper Jake Laban, but both chances fell during another short spell of the game where the Dollies were creating consistent pressure. However, unlike their opponents, they just couldn’t take them.

Rushall burst down the pitch at pace on the counter with 75 minutes on the clock and Enright finished off a very slick team move with a shot that was hit at a tight angle and just about found the back of the net past Kelly, who got a hand to it.

Lewis Mansell headed wide with four minutes of normal time to go before Jim Craig made Laban work - in truth for one of the first times in the game - deep into the six additional minutes given.

Ultimately, the result was a frustrating and disappointing one and Jimmy Marshall made it clear post-match that Saturday’s visit of Leek Town presents an opportunity to showcase a better display.