Hallsy's Academy Report - Week 3 Vol 2

After two days of preparation both Worthing College Academy Men's Football teams took to field with confidence that performances would look after the results with both sides wanting victories for different reasons. The 1st XI wanted to continue their excellent start to the season against local rivals City College Brighton and the 2nd XI wanted to get their season up and running in their matchup against Watford & Hertswood.

The venue for the 1st XI's encounter was the picturesque setting of Arundel FC, where the sun was shining and the surface was, if a little long, still ideal for passing football. Worthing's opponents from along the coast were going to be a step up from Hextable and John Ruskin in class and the players knew that they had to be up for it from the start.

Coach Dave Hall again rung the changes, which now shows the strength in depth across both squads with Kieron Gillard replacing the unfortunate James Fernandes between the sticks, Jack Boxall replaced Matt Chester at right back and Sam Mannings returned in place of Joe Warner who took a seat in the dugout.

With Fernandes absent Mannings took the armband and it was key that Worthing pressed the ball high from the start, however it took Worthing time to get settled and it was City College, who looked to close down the hosts, who at times were slow to release the ball. A lot of the play was taking place in the mid third of the pitch with both sides creating little goalscoring opportunities. City College seemed to be dangerous from set plays and this was typified when Matt Dodd needed to head the ball away from his own goalline.

However as the half grew Worthing's hard work and concentration began to pay off and their neat passing style was beginning to dominate City's more direct approach. Dodd, Jordan Clark and Mannings began to pull the strings and looked to create chances. Mannings shot wide after beating his man being one of the openings. With the half drawing to a stalemate close both sides could have gone in ahead. First it was the visitors with the tall number 10 heading the ball towards the far stanchion only for Gillard to pluck the ball out of the air. Worthing then responded with the unusually quite Ryan Quirke jinking in and out of defenders only to see his shot brilliantly saved by the City keeper. Worthing continued this mini dominance with Dodd flicking a boot at a Lewis Jenkins free kick, which again was denied by the keeper. 0-0 at the half.

Worthing knew that it hadn't been a quality performance, however the effort and determination was there for all to see and when the quality was to surface this would surely bring the breakthrough. Worthing started the brighter of the second period with nicking the ball high up the pitch and a quicker tempo of passing meant that Worthing were now beginning to dominate a tight game. This dominance was soon to be rewarded when Clark and Dodd combined to switch the play to Quirke, who jinked inside and fed the overlapping Boxall, who then delivered a wicked cross to find Olly Setchell, who poked the ball past the visiting keeper. 1-0.

Worthing were now definitely in the ascendency and City College's direct approach was cut out effectively by the back four of Boxall, Jenkins, Dan Heward and Jack Carey. Worthing were really beginning to turn on the style and this was evident with the second goal, which in the end won the game. A searching Clark pass was picked up by the hard running Lee Mottershead, who after a couple of cheeky stepovers played a one two with the excellent Jenkins and Mottershead's cross found Quirke, who found Setchell and he was clinical from 12 yards. 2-0.

It looked as if this once tight match was turning into a one sided affair with Worthing controlling the pace of the game. Dodd, Clark and Mannings had shots, which only tested the railings behind the goals, but they were still chances created. At the other end Gillard was redundant of any work. However this was to change and turned the game into a nervous affair. The skillful visiting number 10 was allowed to turn and volley the ball from 20 yards past Gillard, who seemed to watch the ball in. 2-1. Worthing though held their nerve and came away from Arundel with an excellent victory, which sees 9 points from 9 being the scores on the doors!

Meanwhile in the lunchtime kick off the 2nd XI took to the field against Watford & Hertswood, who were an unknown quantity as they were a new side to the 2nd XI set up. Worthing put behind them their previous weeks performance, which pleased coach Danny Cullip. Worthing were unfortunately beat 2-0, which on another day could have easily been a point gained with the goals coming from a heavily disputed penalty and a goalkeeping error. Cullip praised the whole squad for their attitude and willingness to develop, but gave special mention to midfielder Ross Myers, defender and skipper Matt Chester and goalkeeper Shaun Butler, who apart from the second goal was excellent.

All in all a very pleasing week in the Men's Football Academy. It is so rewarding when both squads go out and look to play attractive football and get the results their skill and attitude deserves. This however needs to be consistent throughout the season if both squads are to progress in their development. At times it is an absolute joy to watch and I know it won't be long until both squads are winning matches at this high level.

Onwards & Upwards,

Hallsy