Hallsy's Academy Report - Week 9 Vol 2

Many emotions have passed through me on this long coach journey home; pride, disappointment, positivity, disillusion to name but a few, however I cannot fault any of the players who took to the pitch for the Worthing College Football Academy this week, who showed determination, discipline and ability in abundance with just the final part of the game required; the finish.

Anyway back with the most important thing; football. Worthing College 1st XI were required to provide TWO sides this week and with this the 1st XI took the two hour coach trip to Boreham Wood FC, home of Oaklands College for their important ECFA National Cup tie, where the 2nd XI (disguised as the 1st XI) took to the “field of dreams” that is Worthing College to play local rivals Steyning in the next round of the County Cup.

The 1st XI made three changes from last weeks excellent away performance at Ravenswood. Sam Mannings took his favoured left forward position, Olly Setchell slotted into left back and Lee Mottershead returned from his six week injury lay off to return to the right hand side. The opponents, Oaklands were in the National league and therefore put Worthing in the rare position of underdog, however coach Dave Hall was more than confident that when Worthing are on it they are more than good enough to match anyone, not just only regionally, but nationwide.

The game started evenly with Worthing applying good pressure to their illustrious opponents, causing many errors in the hosts midfield, which allowed Worthing to retain possession. This seemed to awaken the sleeping giant and Oaklands began to turn on the style with passing and movement rarely seen in opposition this season. To their credit Worthing worked hard to keep their shape and resort Oaklands to longer, higher risk passes that were cut out by the defence of Jack Boxall, Matt Chester, Jack Carey and Olly Setchell. Again Worthing increased the pressure and were just missing out on the final passes to Mannings, Mottershead and central forward Dec Jenkins. This pressure was soon to lead to chances, but not before scares at the other end. Chester and Carey won balls cleanly in the penalty area according to the referee, but not the home dugout and Olly Setchell timed a tackled to perfection to thwart a dangerous cross. Now for the Worthing chances. Jordan Clark narrowly headed over with help from the Oaklands keeper from a Mannings corner and from the next Mottershead corner Carey was only a whisker away from connecting goalwards.

As the half was moving towards a tie a game changing incident. With Oaklands having plently of possession, but being cleared up by the visiting defence a late challenge on Carey saw him clatter into the boards and he never returned to the field. Drew McGill slotted into right back and Boxall moved infield and with this reshuffle Worthing lost the ball centrally, fell to the diminutive central midfield player to strike the ball from 20 yards past the despairing James Fernandes. 0-1.

Really not a cause for concern. Worthing just needed to continue as they were and this they did until the half. Jenkins running was almost rewarded, but he was stopped in his tracks 20 yards out. Mannings struck the free kick well, but straight at the Oaklands stopper. Mottershead was running hard after his layoff and had a half chance from a cross, however again straight at the keeper. Half time.

Not much to say at half time, except for massive praise on their application and abilities with a bit more quality and possibly luck the game could be theirs for the taking.

Oaklands however had other ideas and started more brightly creating a couple of clear cut chances. Worthing held on with Setchell bravely clearing off the line and Fernandes being brave amongst flying bodies, which kept the score as was. As the game grew it became more open and this allowed Worthing’s class to shine. Matt Dodd, Liam O’Connor and Clark were combining excellently and were beginning to work openings. Clark’s drive was spilled and just out of reach of Mannings, Dodd’s rising effort and another Mannings strike in the box were all saved or wide of the target. With minutes to go Worthing continued to press, but unfortunately to no avail with the final score being 0-1.

Massive credit must go out to all who took to the field as Oaklands were forced to stay on the pitch for 20 minutes after the game by their management due to knowing that they had been in a game. Their management were very complimentary by saying that this was the best game they had played in all season. This statement is highlighted further by their previous opponents being the likes of Filton and Stanmore, the heavyweights of this level of football. So even though the result seems negative it again fills me with pride that this group of players can and have competed at the top table of College football.

Finally I would like to thank you all for your efforts and we will indeed bounce back next week.

Onwards & Upwards,

Hallsy