Hallsy's Academy Report - Week 10 Vol 2

After the darkness of the double cup exit the Worthing College Football Academy 1st XI headed into a top of the table clash against a talented Chichester side with confidence that their current stats read played 9, winning 8 and only losing last week. Pre match it looked as if the injury woes of the last month were beginning to ease with coach Dave Hall naming a 5 strong bench, including the returning Dan Heward & Joe Warner. They were joined on the bench by Drew McGill, Ryan Quirke and Dec Jenkins. The true strength of any team is based upon the quality that the bench has to offer and with the names above Worthing looked to be in a very strong position indeed. Worthing also welcomed an old favourite back to the fold with tough tackling defender Alex Staines lining up for the first time against Worthing in Chichester colours.

The only change from last weeks brave cup exit saw Dave Herbert replace the hard working Jenkins, who missed kick off due to work commitments. The game was always going to be a tough one when two heavy weights of the division come together and this was no different. Both sides looked to pass the ball at pace with effective movement, which is credit to all players involved. The game was very even from the first whistle, with tackles aplenty, which coincides with the local derby tag this game had. However a serious looking back injury to left back Olly Setchell after only 15 minutes of the game looked to put Worthing off their stride and this seemed to give Chichester the impetus with Fernandes denying the pacy Chichester striker with a fine full stretch save. Up the other end Worthing did look to create chances with Herbert being the worst offended. The first being a mis-kick from six yards out after a great Sam Mannings run and cross the second being a fine individual effort that resulted in the classy striker clipping the top of the cross bar. Half Time 0-0.

As Hall was absent for most of the first half as he was attending to Setchell it was fellow coach Danny Cullip who was the one who took the half time team talk with the emphasis on pressing for that opening goal. This definitely spurred on the Worthing side and they were first to come out of the blocks with Lee Mottershead and especially Mannings troubling their respective full backs with direct and pacy runs. However up to this point chances were at a premium and this lack of chance creation seemed to let Chichester take the initiative once again and this time the pressure on the Worthing defence and goal was constant and it was only for the blocks of Jack Carey, Matt Chester, Jack Boxall and Setchell's replacement Drew McGill keeping the score from going against Worthing.

Next came controversial moment number 1. With Chichester pressing hard a clear cut chance came their way. Carey blocked the first effort excellently, however the ball fell Chichester's way, the shot was crisp and so was the glove work by CENTRE HALF Matt Chester, however the diminutive referee couldn't see above the melee. NO PENALTY. Chichester were in hysterics and this let Worthing back into the game as it swung their way. Sam Mannings was to be the catalyst of this swing with some direct running and with that the chances came. Mannings himself volley spectacularly towards goal with the goalkeeper "posing" for the cameras. The introduction of Dec Jenkins and Joe Warner for the injured Liam "Des" O'Connor and the tired looking Lee Mottershead added to this pressure with Warner's first introduction being a wrestling match up with the Chichester number 4 and Jenkins missing two gilt edge chances, which he blasted both over the bar.

Now for controversial moment number 2. A Dave Herbert free kick was curling goalwards only for the Chichester wall to do a Cesc Fabregas impression and as they were situated in the penalty area, surely a penalty!! But yet again the referee decided against giving the decision. As the game drew to a close it looked as if Worthing would grab the points, but yet again Mannings was to be denied, this time by the Chichester goalkeeper. Full Time 0-0.

On the whole both management teams agreed that the result was a fair one and its a result that will stand both sides in good stead for their assault on the league and possible promotion to the National League. In conclusion I couldn't fault any of the players on this day as all tried to play football the way it should be, however at times the finishing needs to be more clinical if we are to continue this excellent early season form.

Onwards & Upwards,

Hallsy