The Lions will look to continue their impressive home form, as they face Lancaster City at Nethermoor Park on Tuesday evening in a 7:45pm kick-off, writes Harry Ware.

Match sponsored by: Simpson Strong-Tie

Tickets will be on sale on the day at the turnstiles with payment by cash or card. Turnstile 1 will accept cash and card payments with turnstiles 2, 4 and 6 cash only.

It is also cash payments only inside the ground for programmes and 50/50 cash draw tickets. Food and drink from The Lions’ Diner and clubhouse food servery can be paid for by cash or card and the clubhouse accepts and prefers payment by card.

Unaccompanied U21s must have a season ticket or youth membership to attend the game following recent changes to our Ground Regulations, these can be purchased online now. Entry for U21s is via turnstiles 1 and 2 only.

Tickets are priced at £12 adults, £8 concessions/students/registered disabled, U18’s £5 and accompanied U11’s £1.

Previous Meetings

A Rowan Liburd goal wasn’t enough to overcome Lancaster in the last competitive game between the two sides.

This was back in 2018, when the Lions met the Dolly Blues in the FA Trophy, which saw Lancaster progress into the next round of the competition.

With Tuesday’s fixture already having been postponed on two occasions due to cup involvement, this will be the first game between the two for nearly five years.

Steve Williams and Matthew Blinkhorn were the goal scorers for Lancaster that day, in a 1-2 victory for the away side.

The Lions’ Form Book

10 points from a possible 15 has seen the Lions move within two points of the play-off spots, currently sitting in 8th place in the Northern Premier Division.

A 0-0 draw last time out away to Warrington Town was their third clean sheet in a row, something which Paul Phillips will hope can continue with much improved defensive displays in recent weeks.

Just one loss in their last six home games in the league sets up the Lions well for this game, against a Lancaster side who have not won away from home since November.

A Look At Lancaster City

The Dolly Blues have had a very mixed season when it comes to results, currently sitting 16th in the Northern Premier Division.

Mark Fell’s side had a relatively poor run up until November, with just two wins in 15 games.

However, four successive wins followed in November, including an impressive victory away at 2nd place Hyde United.

Despite a much-improved end to 2022, the Dolly Blues have won just twice in the new year in eight games played.

(Credit – Phil Dawson/Lancaster City FC)

Top scorer Sam Bailey will be looking to add to his tally having scored a penalty last time out, to make himself Lancaster City’s outright top scorer this season.

A Look At The Lions

The Lions will be sweating on the fitness of Lewis Whitham and Callum Chippendale who were both substituted through injury in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Warrington.

Paul Phillips is also likely to be without the services of Jake Cassidy and Andy Kellett who are both injured.

Mark Lees could make his first start for the club after coming off the bench in the first half at Warrington.

What Are They Saying?

Paul Phillips spoke to us after the game against Warrington Town, admitting that Warrington were the better team on the day:

“I thought they were the better team. It was a game of midfield battles, I thought we defended well, we lacked ideas, if Lewis (Whitham) was not there we look vulnerable.

“It’s a good point for us, they’ll probably think it is two dropped. I thought they were the better team but without causing much trouble.

“We need to be more on the front foot going forward” – Paul Phillips

“We’ve been resilient in the final third against a good team. They put a lot of crosses in the box which we dealt with. In the second half I thought we had the clearest chances but made the wrong choice.

“There was two or three times we probably could have put them on the back foot, but I would have been unjust to get three points.

“I thought the mentality was right. Cam (Mason) has not been over worked. The shape was good. I think we need to be more on the front foot going forward.

Phillips also spoke ahead of tomorrow’s clash against Lancaster City:

“We have had to take Lewis off which is a big blow, we will see where he is come Tuesday.

“Tuesday it is up to us to get on the front foot. A big physical battle, they’ll put it on us and ask us questions, and we’ve got to be better in the top half of the pitch.

Tickets for the game with Lancaster City can be purchased at the turnstiles on the night with cash and card payment accepted.