Lordswood have parted company with manager Nicky Southall after a poor run of form.

Former Gillingham player and assistant manager Southall had been manager of Lordswood since mid-December and was looking to push the SCEFL Premier Division side towards a promotion challenge this season.

A promising start to this season included a run to the second qualifying round of the FA Cup which led to live TV coverage of their match at home to Sittingbourne.

Southall’s side also reached the FA Vase first round but were knocked out by lower-league Rochester United and league results have also taken a turn for the worse.

A statement from chairman Ray Broad said: “Lordswood AFC has agreed to part company with Nicky Southall by mutual consent.

“We would like to thank Nicky for his hard work over the last 10 months and wish him all the best for the future.

“First team coach Sam Wilson will be overseeing the transition period for the team while further discussions are ongoing.”

A brief message from Southall on X, said: “I wish everyone at Lordswood all the very best.

“Time for me to look elsewhere on the next chapter.”

SCEFL Premier Division table

Lordswood included four new signings in their team on Saturday but their poor run of form continued. .

A fifth straight league defeat came at the hands of Stansfeld, taking the points after a 2-1 win at the Artic Stadium, leaving Lords 17th in the table.

Southall’s side were two goals down after 25 minutes. They got one back through Callum Peck before the break but that’s how the scoreline remained.

Returning players Ashley Sains and defender Charlie Plummer both went straight into the starting XI for the game while Ryan Lovejoy and winger Alex Mulrooney-Skinner - a former Millwall youth player - made their Lordswood debuts off the bench.

Recent changes to the squad have also seen Quadri Green, Wll Currie, Brad Schafer and Rob Myles leave. Ethan Stewart returned to the club after recovering from a lengthy spell out injured.

Interim boss Wilson joined Lordswood at the end of last season as first team coach, working with assistant Ross Wiles and Southall, after leaving Canterbury City.

Lordswood are without a game this coming Saturday and return to action on Tuesday, November 12 away at Bearsted in the SCEFL Challenge Cup second round.