The 1st XI needed to get back on track after the last couple of "unlucky" results that they had suffered and coach Dave Hall had to shuffle the pack with Alex Staines reverting to left back, Jack Carey moving into centre half, Ali Giammattei moving into the holding midfield role and the returning Dave Herbert playing just behind the striker. This meant that skipper Luke Jearum moved into the central striking role.
Worthing began the game reasonably well with wingers Sam Mannings and Ben Standing getting in behind their opposing full backs, but unfortunately their crosses were met with John Ruskin heads rather than the host sides. The first main chance of the game saw a team move, which involved George Dowell, Giammattei, Jordan Clark, Sam Mannings, Herbert and finally Jearum, whose clean strike was well saved by the visiting goalkeeper. As the half progressed the away team began to find their feet with some neat passing football and their midfield pairing seemed to have too much time on the ball. However Worthing began to provide a better position defensively with centre half pairing Andy Heward and Jack Carey reading the game well to cut out any through balls that came their way. Chances were at a premium with both sides attacking their opponents final third, but unable to pull the trigger. Half Time 0-0.
Players have been overplayed recently and this was beginning to show from the first half performance. Therefore the "thinking footballer" was needed in the second half to ensure that a positive result was gained with the least amount of exertion. Unfortunately Worthing were all guilty of giving the ball away cheaply, which led to wave upon wave of John Ruskin attack, which were duly thwarted by the backline of Dowell, Heward, Carey and Staines. When called upon Worthing stopper James Fernandes was again in inspired form by showing courage to come and punch away from set piece situations.
Then came the turning point in the game. Dave Herbert played a lovely long pass through to the "onside" Mannings, only to be adjudged to be in an offside position. From the resulting free kick holding midfielder Giammattei seemed to be all over his John Ruskin opponent. Amazingly to the John Ruskin bench no foul was called and with the defence out of position Jordan Clark played a pinpoint pass through to skipper Jearum, who took the ball in his stride and finished cooly into the corner of the net. 1-0. Celebrations were lively and discussions heated, especially between the John Ruskin bench and some Worthing players. However that old adage "concentration" was now more key than ever if the three points were to be bagged. After the deadlock had been broken this led to more pressure from the visitors with again Worthing just about coming up on top. Their best chance falling to number 9, who unmarked from a free kick found the chest of Fernandes not once, but twice. Up the other end Worthing had their chances to wrap up the game with Heward missing the target with a header and Herbert having a goal chalked off for guess what... offside. The final whistle came to the relief of a very tired Worthing side, however another great team performance and three points in the bag will make all sleep easy tonight.
Meanwhile in Kingston the 2nd XI went down 3-2 with Thom Taylor and Liam "Des" O'Connor on the score sheet. Coach Danny Cullip described the performance as "disappointing", however the squad as a whole have been hit with injury after injury and combining this with over playing had led to mass fatigue setting in, so all players should be commended on their attitude and desire to play.
To conclude with games coming thick and fast the Academy will be stretched to its limit, therefore its players need to be honest with themselves and make sure that they prepare for all their physical activities the right way to ensure that energy levels are channelled in the right direction.
Time to rest and recoup I feel is the next focus.
Onwards and Upwards,
Hallsy
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