Hallsy's Academy Report - Week 15 (I think!!?)

Both Worthing College Academy sides were in action this week with the 1st XI travelling to Mid Kent in the ECFA league and the 2nd XI in their biggest game of the season to date, a County Cup Semi Final vs. The Weald at the home of football that is Worthing United.

The 1st XI needed to shake off their hangover from the previous weeks epic National Cup game at York. However preparations were affected by many injuries creeping into the Academy, with George Dowell missing out and with Chris Churchill being suspended, Phil Charman and Tomas Nemeth taking their place in the 2nd XI it meant that coach Dave Hall had to enter the transfer market and put together some late deals to ensure that the squad was 13 strong.

The game itself started very evenly with Mid Kent's long ball style being blocked out by the back four of Ali Giammattei, Jack Boxall, Jack Carey and Andy Heward with good positional sense and timing. As the half grew on Worthing began to stamp their authority onto the game with Jordan Clark and Luke Jearum switching play at will. Wingers Ben Standing and Sam Mannings taking on their full backs at pace and Matty Rance was working hard to get on the ball and get Worthing moving forward. Alex Staines was holding up the ball well and used it intelligently to ensure that possession was kept. However all of this work was taking place in the middle of the park and therefore needs to higher to provide goalscoring opportunities. These were now beginning to come with a free flowing move ending with the ball being squared to Sam Mannings, whose shot was saved by the Mid Kent keepers legs. Worthing were really starting to dominate and the best chance of the game came towards the end of the half. A driven 45 yard pass by Heward found Staines who killed the ball out of the air acrobatically only to rush his shot and the chance had gone. 0-0 at half time.

Confidence was high as the second half began, but Mid Kent seemed to start the brighter with a succession of corners. Again the long ball tactic was used, but this time it was the great positioning of keeper James Fernandes to thwart another Mid Kent attack. This seemed to wake Worthing up again with the passes seeming to return. Staines was harshly called offside from a Clark pass and Staines crossed for Mannings whose effort was deflected wide. This should have allowed Worthing to kick on and take the lead, however the opposite happened. Jack Carey failed to clear a long ball, which led to the right winger slotting home. 1-0.

Worthing responded well to this set back and from the kick off almost levelled. Mannings was put through only for the ball to be stuck under his feet at the vital moment. The sucker punch came with 15 left. The Mid Kent right winger again found himself free to finish cooly. 2-0.

To many the game would have been over, but not to the Worthing players. Again the passing stepped up a level and chances came. A Matty Rance shot, Luke Jearum one on one and a Sam Mannings volley were notable efforts, but unfortunately for Worthing the scoreline stayed the same.

At times it seems as if I'm repeating myself, the players are playing some great football but get punished at vital times. However I'm again proud of every one of them as they still try to play the game the right way, which is a testament to their abilities and attitudes. I'm sure that if we continue to play the way we are and take our chances the results will begin to match our performance levels.

Onwards and upwards,

Hallsy

P.S - Post Match celebrations and report to come from the 2nd XI's County Cup Semi Final!!

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