Emotional send-off as Lancaster City beat Gainsborough Trinity

Lancaster City earned a third consecutive win in their last home game of the season on an emotional day at Giant Axe.

City were 2-1 winners, with Sam Bailey and Jamie Mellen getting on the scoresheet with a penalty and a free kick respectively.

Both Paul Jarvis and David Norris played the final home games of their careers ahead of retirement at the end of the season.

Jarvis started the game and led the team out as captain. He was brought off part way through the second half for Norris, who subsequently received the skipper’s armband.

Despite the win, it was a far from ideal start to the game for Lancaster, as they conceded the opener inside two minutes.

It was a moment of brilliance from Gainsborough’s Dayle Southwell who let fly from range after beating Charlie Barnes in a one v one for the ball.

With a bit of help from the blustery conditions, Southwell’s effort from the edge of the box found the bottom left corner.

The first half was hardly vintage and, for most of it, Gainsborough looked the more likely team to get the second goal of the game.

Declan Howe and Bobby Johnson threatened to double the advantage before the ten minute mark but Howe’s attempt was comfortably saved by Tom Stewart, while Johnson’s went wide.

Jamie Mellen tried to get an equaliser from distance around 20 minutes in, but it was dealt with easily by Dylan Wharton in net. 

That wouldn’t be the end of Mellen’s attacking threat for the day though.

Declan Howe had another chance to double Trinity’s lead with three minutes remaining of the first half, but Tom Stewart saved well with his legs from an effort just outside the six yard area.

Lancaster started the second half brightly and could’ve equalised just over a minute after the restart.

Dom Lawson’s cross found Sam Bailey at the back stick, but his effort was parried by Wharton.

Kyle Brownhill looked to strike it home on the follow up but a defender made a fantastic block, mere inches away from the goal line. 

Less than 10 minutes into the second half, Lancaster were given the chance to make it one-all through a penalty kick.

Hamish Douglas was penalised for handball as he and the Gainsborough Trinity defence tried to clear the danger after Christian Sloan pumped the ball into the box. 

Sam Bailey made no mistake from 12 yards as a calm and composed finish, low into the bottom corner, levelled things up. 

Lancaster were firmly in the ascendancy after the penalty.

Dom Lawson is the Dolly Blues’ top scorer this season, but it was from out wide with crosses into the box where he was causing the most trouble for Gainsborough on Saturday.

He sent a low ball from the right towards Nic Evangelinos who turned to face the goal and took a shot on but he couldn’t keep his effort down.

In the 63rd minute, Paul Jarvis came off and was replaced by David Norris, with both players receiving loud applause from the Lancaster faithful for their years of service to the club.

Another substitute in the game was Tom Kilifin. He came on in the 75th minute and almost had an instant impact.

His header from point blank range struck the woodwork and Gainsborough cleared the ball. 

From that clearance, the visitors counter attacked with fluidity and pace.

Gainsborough substitute Joe Stacey was at the heart of it, bursting down the left flank before laying it off to Declan Howe.

However, Tom Stewart pulled off a tremendous stop to prevent Howe’s powerful effort from putting Trinity back in front.

With three minutes of regular time remaining, Lancaster were awarded a free kick after Evangelinos was brought down with the ball at his feet.

Jamie Mellen stepped up to take - the ball dipped over the wall and found its way into the net off the post.

It was a free kick worthy of winning any game - and indeed it did.

The Dolly Blues are now up to eighth in the NPL Premier Division but sit five points behind the playoff spots with two games to play and teams around them with games in hand.

Lancaster manager Chris Willcock spoke to Beyond Radio post-match.

“I’m happy with the result," said Willcock.

"Performance-wise, it was difficult for both teams today because of the wind, it was really tough for them to play against that.

“It was a game of two halves. I said that set pieces would be key today, we talked about it, I felt we could have the upper hand at certain stages and Jamie’s stepped up and managed to get a wonderful shot on target.

“From my point of view, to win the game like that and for us to win our last home game with the amount of people who’ve been here to watch was extremely pleasing.”

Willcock paid tribute to David Norris and Paul Jarvis’ service to the club.

“It’s always nice when you get the recognition when you’ve shown loyalty and longevity to a football club.

“[The reception from fans] was lovely.

“It was richly deserved. They’ve both been great servants to the club.”

Lancaster’s final two games of the season are away to Warrington Rylands on Saturday (April 13) and to FC United of Manchester on April 27. 

Lancaster City: Stewart, S Bailey, Brownhill, Ikpakwu (Hill 68’), Barnes, Cowperthwaite, Mellen, Sloan, Lawson (Kilifin 75’), Jarvis c (Norris 63’ c), Evangelinos

Unused substitute: C Bailey