Lancaster City record back to back home wins for first time this season

Lancaster City got a well-deserved and much needed three points as they beat FC United of Manchester 2-0 on Saturday.

Goals from Nic Evangelinos and Christian Sloan gave City back to back home wins for the first time this season.

A crowd of 823, the highest of the season at the Giant Axe, watched as the Dollies got a result that moves them up to 14th.

It was a huge result for the club after a couple of difficult weeks on and off the pitch, with results not going their way and a growing injury list.

Defender Pawel Zuk, on loan at Lancaster from Barrow, was named man of the match in his first appearance for the club.

FC United had the first real chance of the game when a fast-paced move ended with Dontai Gabidon being through on goal, but his effort went just wide of the post.

Nathan Woodthorpe was making his home debut for Lancaster and almost scored the opener but his volley went over the bar.

The second half started with a vital off-the-line clearance by Zuk after pinball in the Lancaster City box.

Lancaster took the lead just after the hour mark through Nic Evangelinos. Sam Bailey delivered a free kick into a packed 12 yard area and the Dollies’ number 9 rose the highest.

Gabidon missed another opportunity for the visitors when he headed wide, but a player who hit the target with their header was Christian Sloan, who got Lancaster’s second after meeting Evangelinos’ lovely cross towards the far post.

Mark Fell spoke to the media after the game and praised the impact of the fans. “It was nice to have a big rowd here and I thought our fans got right behind us,’’ he said.

 “That win is about sticking together, everybody at the club sticking together. Lads digging in, riding through tough periods to earn the right to play a little bit in the second half, which is what we did and we fully deserve it.”

Next up for Lancaster is a trip to Stafford Rangers next Saturday (February 18).