Hallsy's Academy Report - Week 6 Vol 2

With the half term approaching Worthing College Football Academy were looking to sign off in style with two positive performances, which should turn into positive results. The 1st XI travelled west to Chichester High School for a 1st round County Cup tie, whilst the 2nd XI took to the Worthing United stage to take on Uxbridge.

Again injuries and unavailabilities forced both sides to make changes and to go with only two substitutes apiece. However this is the reason for a large and strong squad. The 1st XI had to make positional changes as well as personnel, with the usually attacking Sam Mannings revert to left back. Dave Herbert and skipper James Fernandes also returned to the starting line up and all were hoping to a good start in this competition.

The playing surface and equipment was not particularly great, however good players need to adapt in all situations and Worthing took to the pitch confident of making their stats read 6 wins from 6 games going into half term. The game started relatively brightly, however it was seeming to pass Worthing by as sloppy passing gave the hosts opportunities to attack, which resulted in the first of the penalty kicks. The returning Fernandes had no choice but to bring down the Chichester front man and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. However Fernandes redeemed himself with a fine penalty save.

This seemed to spark Worthing into life with the midfield trio of Matt Dodd, Jordan Clark and Joe Warner getting onto the ball and beginning to make things happen. Widemen Liam O'Connor and Ryan Quirke were making well timed runs and Dave Herbert was beginning to get into the game and create chances. These chances were frequent, but were not being dispatched with Herbert, O'Connor, Quirke, Dodd and Clark all being guilty of not hitting the onion bag. The opening goal of the game did come and it was courtesy of the second penalty of the game. A fine driven pass from Mannings was latched onto by Clark and his run was upended by the advancing keeper. Clark dusted himself down and dispatched the penalty. 1-0.

From here Worthing should have pressed home their advantage, but again chances went begging. Therefore with the score 1-0 at half time the word from the bench was to increase the tempo and high pressing game in addition to taking their chances, which would surely result in Worthing's progression into the second round. The second half began the same as the first, with Worthing still looking to score the "perfect" goal. Herbert and Clark the main culprits. To their credit Chichester never gave up and gave the back four of Olly Setchell, Jack Carey, Jack Boxall and Mannings many things to think about. Again the chances came, with the best coming from Matt Dodd, who expertly linked up with Joe Warner, but his volley was well blocked by the Chichester goalkeeper. Then for the first warning! The Chichester winger, who came on as a "rolling" sub jinked passed Carey and Carey clipped his heels on the way through. PENALTY number three! The same player stepped up, again Fernandes guessed right but the shot was dragged wide. Justice you may say, however minutes later Chichester were unbelievably level. A cross again from the wideman was spun upon by the Chichester number 9, who flicked the ball past Fernandes. 1-1.

So into Extra Time. Worthing needed to move the ball quicker and again TAKE THOSE CHANCES!! Coach Dave Hall was beginning to wonder if it was going to be one of those days with more chances going begging. The greatest falling to O'Connor, whose strike was somehow kept out. As it seemed as if Worthing could be there all night before they score the breakthrough finally came. Warner, Herbert and Clark were all involved with Clark expertly back heeling the ball into the path of Herbert, who drove the ball low into the corner. Relief all round!! 2-1. With this the tireless Warner came off to be replaced by debutant Jack Chandler. With time running out Worthing kept the ball well in the corners to run down the clock.

With full time came relief, however Worthing need to be more clinical in front of goal to ensure that all their hard work and excellent play is rewarded. However all in all an excellent effort this half term to come away with a 100% record!!

Meanwhile the 2nd XI looked to dust themselves down from last week's defeat with an ECFA league fixture vs. Uxbridge. According to reports the match was similar to the 1st XI's with some excellent play, but many, many, many missed chances. However with this Uxbridge seemed to punish the hosts by coming out as 2-1 winners. Worthing's scorer was Abdoulie Bah. Again for many it is hard to look beyond the result, however at the Academy we try to leave no stone unturned and we all must look beyond the result at the bigger picture, which is based upon development. To this point ALL players in the Academy have worked hard and are developing and I'm sure that with a little more belief and thought I will be reporting positive results for both teams during the next half term.

Finally I would like to thank you all for your hard work and efforts this half term. Make sure you rest up and come back fresh after the half term break.

Onwards & Upwards,

Hallsy