Defeat by Warrington a 'slap in face' for Lancaster boss Marshall
Manager Jimmy Marshall felt like he'd received a “slap in the face” as his Lancaster City side failed in their bid for a third win in eight days.
The Dolly Blues lost 2-1 at home on Saturday to a Warrington Town side who moved within a point of them in the Northern Premier League.
Having scored seven goals in the previous week's wins against Prescot Cables in the league and Clitheroe in the semi-finals of the LFA Challenge Trophy, Lancaster let slip a half-time lead gained by Nic Evangelinos' overhead kick at the Giant Axe.
Marshall told the club's media team: “It's very disappointing – we should be been three or four up at half-time. Nico scored a great goal – he's a great player in really good form – and we had gilt-edged chances to extend the lead and that would have changed the game.
"Against Clitheroe we killed the game off in the second half but here we never got going, and they were two soft goals from our perspective.”
It continued Lancaster's up-and-down league form – the last five NPL games have brought two wins and three defeats – leaving seventh-placed City four points outside the play-off zone with eight games to play.
Marshall added: “It was a game we identified as needing to pick up three points from, then you find out teams around you have dropped points and we haven't capitalised. A sloppy 45 minutes has cost us.”
He hinted Dom Lawson and Charlie Bailey may return from injury for Saturday’s visit to mid-table Whitby Town, while Matty Clarke has joined Northern League club Kendal on dual registration.
Lancaster’s opponents in the LFA final will be Padiham, who defeated Fulwood Amateurs 1-0 in Tuesday’s all-NW Counties League semi.
LANCASTER (v Warrington): Kelly, Amison, Thompson (Brindle 71), Nolan (S Bailey 72), Oliver, Grand, Moonan, Sloan (Caine 76), Evangelinos, Craig (Bjork), Yawson (Mansell 76).
The club has launched a second women's team, Lancaster City Ladies Recreational, who won their opening game 5-0 against CN Sports of Blackpool. Laura Foster scored a hat-trick and Kathy McCafferty netted twice at Willow Lane.
Managed by Becky Upjohn, the team welcome over-16s to Tuesday training at Hanging Green Lane, Slyne-with-Hest. Find out more or make contact via the Lancaster City Ladies Facebook page.