Hallsy's Academy Report - National Cup Special

Worthing College Football Academy headed for their most important game ever in its history on Tuesday morning to face York College in the last 8 of the ECFA Cup. An overnight stay was the only option to ensure that the players minds and body were at their peak for a 12 noon Wednesday kick off. The lads took the 6 hour bus trip in their stride and had an opportunity to stretch their legs in the evening with a training session at the palatial facilities that York College had to offer. The evening culminated in a team meal at a local italian restaurant, where the banter was the only thing flowing. The morning brought a more focused mood and as all sat down to their Olympic breakfast the magnitude of the task was beginning to sink in. Are we good enough to sit at the top table of English College Football? All was to be revealed during the most important 90 minutes in some of these young players lives.

The venue for this occasion was the modern 3G surface at the very impressive York College, which should suit Worthing's passing football as it was wide and flat. The match throughout was played at a tremendous pace with both teams playing short at every opportunity, however Worthing still seemed to be at the hotel with Lenny Henry and were behind inside 5 minutes. A ball round the corner was latched onto by the impressive York number 9, who then went onto finish cooly under James Fernandes. 1-0.

This could have been the trigger for York to press home their advantage, however it was the visitors who took the initiative by playing the attractive football that we now come to expect from a Worthing College side. The central trio of Tomas Nemeth, Jordan Clark and skipper Luke Jearum were pulling the strings with widemen Ben Standing and Sam Mannings stamping their authority on the game with direct runs and skills a plenty. Now the chances were beginning to come. Striker Alex Staines began to get into the game and was played through only for the York full back to get back and make a challenge before Staines was about to pull the trigger. The next chance was never too far away in this period with Mannings, Staines, an Andy Heward header and volley all came close to breaking the deadlock for the visitors. Another mazy run from Standing could have resulted in a penalty only if the tricky winger wouldn't have been so honest and gone down under the challenge. The best chance of the half fell to skipper Jearum, who headed powerfully only for the home goalkeeper to tip his effort onto the bar. There were many more chances, but none were taken and with the York goalkeeper in inspired form was it going to bite Worthing in the backside. With the game heading for half time Worthing were still looking to break down the great York wall, but this was to be our undoing with a quick break allowing the also impressive number 11 to run on and finish well, which led to wild celebrations from the 100 strong York crowd. 2-0.

Goals conceded at bad times were costly, but Worthing had shown that they do belong at this level by outplaying their opponents for most of the half. The general feeling at half time was that the next goal was crucial and were confident that it could come Worthing's way.
The second half was as non stop as the first, but without the number of chances. The turning point of the game came when full back Ali Giammattei's run was halted prematurely by a York defender only for the referee to wave away the protests. This was then followed by the opportunity to get back into the game. The home goalkeeper for once made a mistake and palmed out a Nemeth cross with the rebound falling to Jearum. The ball was struck with power only for it to be stopped on the line with the second rebound there for the taking no one took up the offer and the chance was then gone. The question "what if?" definitely springs to mind.
As the game wore on the pace was beginning to catch up with both sides as the game became extremely stretched. Both sides created more chances, but Fernandes was more than a match for what was thrown at him and at the other end a Jordan Clark mis headed and Tomas Nemeth free kick were what Worthing could muster.

The final nail in the coffin came just before coach Dave Hall was to resort to the 3-3-4 formation to get back into the tie. Andy Heward was adjudged to have body checked the York number 10 and the referee no hesitation in giving the penalty kick. The kick was struck well by the York captain and Fernandes almost got his hands to it. 3-0. Before this Phil Charman came on for the excellent Ben Standing for some fresh legs and after the horse had bolted Chris Churchill came on for Ali Giammattei the final change saw Jack Carey came on for the skillful Tomas Nemeth.
Throughout the game Worthing never threw in the towel and this was typified by full back George Dowell who work up ill on the morning, but still put in an efficient performance at right back. Worthing even had further chances with Luke Jearum's header being the closest. So the game came to its end. The hosts knew they had a scare and to some back at Worthing College they may see this as a beating, however those at the game will know that it was far from the case. However it was same old, same old with chances not taken and concentration lacking at crucial times. So in conclusion the top table is there for the sitting so here's to next year!

Onwards and Upwards,

Hallsy

Worthing College Team; Fernandes; Dowell, Boxall, Heward, Giammattei; Clark, Jearum(c), Nemeth; Standing, Staines, Mannings. Subs; Charman (Standing, 67), Churchill (Giammattei, 78), Carey (Nemeth, 89), Rance (Injured in training)

P.S. On reflection sitting on the bus on the way home the boys need to and should be proud of their efforts whatever others may say because those who were there witnessed a high level of football with Worthing arguably playing the better football for periods and with my philosophy of attractive, attacking football it is a credit to them that they have taken this on board. They are a credit to themselves, their families and the college, an absolute joy to coach.
Attention must now move to the equally talented 2nd XI, who are in the County Cup semi final vs. The Weald next Wednesday and if they play as well as they have done this season there could be a first cup final for the College since 2007. Good luck to all involved.

Cheers,

Hallsy Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device