Lancaster City get first away win of the season at Gainsborough

The Dolly Blues maintained their unbeaten start to the season after their first victory of the campaign on the road.

Goals from Harrison Beeden and Dom Lawson secured all three points for City against Gainsborough Trinity in Lincolnshire, following a run of five consecutive draws in the Northern Premier League.

While the visitors came out on top at full time, the game wasn’t always heading that way. The hosts took the lead on nine minutes following a mix up at the back which Declan Howe pounced on. The in-form forward opted to pass to Dayle Southwell who applied a calm finish.

Aaron Bennett looked to respond to the opener very soon after, picking up the ball from around 25 yards out and launching a fierce shot at goal which was well saved by Dylan Wharton, who dived to his left with an outstretched glove.

In the ten or so minutes that followed, Lancaster did create one or two chances but didn’t really trouble Wharton however, at the other end, James McClenaghan was at his best to deny Gainsborough a second.

Sisa Tuntulwana had a nice one-two with Declan Howe before bursting into the box and trying to coolly strike home, but McClenaghan made a strong save down low.

Lewis Butroid had the opportunity to extend Trinity’s lead to two but couldn’t keep his volley from 20 yards down.

Lancaster City started brightly after half time with a renewed intensity, particularly in the midfield.

After Gainsborough’s Will Lancaster hit the crossbar from distance, the Dolly Blues began to apply the pressure on their hosts, first Aaron Bennett shot low from close range but saw his effort deflect behind for a corner.

From that set piece, Jack Byrne found space in the box to hit a powerful strike at goal but Wharton punched it clear.

Just two minutes later though, Lancaster did get more luck from a dead ball situation, Harrison Beeden connecting with Sam Bailey’s long ball and heading in the equaliser at the back stick.

Charlie Hall, who has recently joined City on loan to gain his first taste of competitive senior football, was a bright spark in midfield and eventually won Player of the Match - his dipping effort from range was just over the bar but signalled Chris Willcock’s side’s intention to get all three points.

Just six minutes after Hall’s effort, they were well on their way to doing just that as Dom Lawson completed a Lancaster City comeback.

It was a superb move by the Dolly Blues, starting with James McClenaghan who sent it long finding Aaron Bennett. He passed to Sam Bailey whose shot was saved awkwardly by Wharton, and Lawson had the very simple job of finishing on the rebound.

Gainsborough Trinity pushed for an equaliser - Dylan Cogill could only find the post from an awkward header at close range, before Declan Howe, Aaron Simpson and Joe Stacey all hit efforts inside the 18-yard-box, but they could not get past the Lancaster City backline.

The woodwork once again denied Trinity a leveller as Aaron Braithwaite’s curling shot crashed against the crossbar.

The home side continued to push but did not hugely trouble McClenaghan, whose biggest test in the final 10 minutes was to claim Sisa Tuntulwana’s ambitious attempt.

Lancaster City remain unbeaten in the NPL after their first seven games.