Hallsy's Academy Report - Week 11 Vol 2

After last week's big freeze Worthing College Football Academy started the week knowing that games were coming their way as both league games were taking place on 3g artificial surfaces at City College & Watford respectively. Both squads were again hit by injuries and unavailabilities, which led coach Dave Hall to try and work some magic to provide two elevens for game day. This was just about possible and both sides travelled with 11 strong. Not the ideal situation in terms of our development ethos, however sometimes through adversity, performances follow. Was this to be the case this week??

The 1st XI travelled along the coast to take on local and bitter league rivals City College Brighton & Hove, whilst the 2nd XI were back in league action with the long trip away to "the land of the giants" that were Watford & Hertswood. Numerous changes were wrung amongst both sides to ensure that both teams were competitive and could go out and get two results. The 1st XI needed to avoid defeat to end their 2010 part of the season unbeaten in the league, whilst the 2nd XI needed to gain experience and confidence to get their season back on track.

The 1st XI started slowly against their local rivals and at times looked like completed strangers as City College had much of the early possession, which resulted in the first goal after less that five minutes. A Joe Warner cover tackle could only find City's left winger, who skipped past Jack Boxall and was composed enough to pick out his striker, who found the roof of the net. 0-1.

Even though the start was poor Worthing need not worry as their team spirit and attitude has been one of the main reasons why they are still unbeaten at league level. This attitude started to show through even though their passing and ball retention at times was wayward. The first chance fell to Jordan Clark, who whipped a free kick against a post. Clark again could have got his name on the scoresheet, this time his header was blocked after an excellent diag from Boxall. Worthing began to dominate possession with Matt Dodd, Warner and Clark now pulling the strings in midfield. Dan Heward made an earlier appearance than expected, due to an injury and this was one of the catalysts for Worthing's recovery. Liam "Des" O'Connor, Lee Mottershead and Dec Jenkins were working tirelessly as a front three to close down City College high up the pitch and such pressure resulted in Worthing's equaliser. A long ball forward was only partly cleared by the City goalkeeper after pressure from Jenkins. The ball fell kindly to Mottershead, who looked up and chipped the ball over the stranded goalkeeper. The ball agonisingly clipped both posts before hitting the back of the net. 1-1.

This was how the score stayed until the half, however coach Dave Hall was not happy with the application of some players and this needed to change in the second half. This seemed to spur Worthing into action and they again begun to dominate possession, but not clear cut chances were carved out. The back four of Boxall, Heward, Matt Chester & Drew Mc Gill looked more solid, with Chester especially excelling himself. However City College are not 2nd in the league placing for nothing and continuously looked dangerous. The mid point of the second half was definitely theirs and Worthing had Heward & Chester to thank for goal line clearances to keep the scores level. As the game worn on both teams became stretched and it was now end of end stuff with Worthing breaking the better. Mottershead was dominating his full back with just a final delivery lacking. Jenkins had a free kick that went just over the bar and O'Connor seemed to close his eyes at the wrong moment and then saw his headed effort go wide. The final chance of the game came when Clark played in Mottershead and his left foot cross was dangerous, but just evaded the despairing Jenkins. With the final whistle 1-1 was probably a fair result, however in the grand scheme of things it looks like a point gained for Worthing and possible two lost for City College, but we shall see come April!!

The 2nd XI were not as fortunate despite all efforts going down 4-0 at Watford & Hertswood. Looking into this and trying to put a finger on the negative results it seems as if some are beaten before they enter the field of play. Players need to believe in their ability because technically they are as good if not better than their opponents, however seem to look at opposition stature and physicality, which beats them before a ball is even kicked. However playing against this type of opposition can only develop players further and we all need to look at the bigger picture in terms of player development, which is what the Academy of Sport is all about.

So one week left, with the 1st XI in National Cup action and the 2nd XI with no fixture all need to reflect on their first 11 matches as an Academy. On the whole the experience has been positive , however more of you have to believe in what YOU can do rather than the opposition!!!

Onwards & Upwards,


Hallsy