Hallsy's Academy Report - Week 12 Vol 2 - New Year Edition

Worthing College Football Academy 1st XI returned to action after the festive period with the first of two matches in as many weeks that will define their season. Worthing travelled to Sussex Downs Lewes knowing that a sharp and positive performance would see the College progress into the last 16 of the ESFA National Cup, which would be unchartered territory for an Worthing College side in this competition.

The three week layoff gave injuries time to heal and rest periods to all, which resulted in welcome returns to the squad, with the biggest being Lewis Jenkins after three months out with ankle ligament damage and Jenkins took his place on the bench. However it wouldn’t be Worthing College without some unavailabilities and those were the influential Jordan Clark (ill) and the assured Dan Heward (broken toe).

Worthing took to the field knowing that they needed to start sharply and earn the right to play to ensure a positive result, but their opponents started the brighter and seemed to get in behind the Worthing defence more times than coach Dave Hall would have liked. However when going forward Worthing started positively with Dec Jenkins, Sam Mannings and Ryan Quirke gaining early possession and this led to Worthing breaking the deadlock, very much against the run of play. Joe Warner picked up the ball in the middle of the park and played a diagonal pass to Quirke, who ran through and finished cooly under the advancing Sussex Downs goalkeeper. 1-0.

This in theory should have settled Worthing down, but they were still hesitant at times and too many mistakes were being made. To their credit though Worthing reacted quickly to these mistakes and made amends by gaining possession. Soon this was to provide Worthing with a stranglehold in the game with Matt Dodd, Warner and Liam “Des” O’Connor beginning to pull the strings in the middle of midfield, which gave the front three through balls to run onto. This should have put the game out of sight, however Jenkins and Mannings were both excellent in creating chances, but just lacking finishes. When Mannings did finish superbly it was deemed to be offside.

At half time Hall emphasised that Worthing has not been at their best yet still were in front and needed to move through the gears to put the game to bed. Worthing seemed to take heed of this advice and stepped up their game with quick and crisp passing beginning to create gaps in the Sussex Downs rearguard. Mannings and Jenkins were again at the heart of the good that Worthing had to offer with Mannings crossing excellently and consistently and Jenkins working his socks off to make defenders lives a misery. This hard work led to the second goal, where Mannings crossed and the ball fell kindly to Dodd who powered the ball past the keeper. 2-0.

Sussex Downs to their credit kept trying to play, but the defence of Jack Carey, Matt Chester, Drew McGill and Jack Boxall were growing into the game and thwarted any meaningful attack. The clinching goal was scored from the penalty spot after Mannings was fouled when through on goal. Jack Boxall stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way. 3-0.

As the game was won it was time to reintroduce Lewis Jenkins into Academy action. Lewis was given a full 30 minutes to get back into the swing of things and took the place of Quirke on the right side of the front three. This may sound odd to some, however Lewis almost scored with one of his first touches. His volley was well saved by the Sussex Downs goalkeeper at the back post.

Both Mannings and Dec Jenkins fully deserved a goal for their efforts and it was the former who got his name on the scoresheet. Mannings exquisitely flicked the ball past his opposition full back, ran onto the ball and smashed it left footed before the goalkeeper could even blink. 4-0.

Anna, the Academy physio at half time had predicted a 5-0 scoreline and her wishes were granted and that man Mannings was again involved, his cross was volleyed in by Boxall. 5-0. On with Lewis Jenkins came Lee Mottershead and he also had his chances to increase the scoreline, however his efforts were to no avail.

So with the full time whistle came the feeling of a job well done and looking ahead to a last 16 tie against Essex based Redbridge College. Worthing did show glimpses of their quality, however all know that Worthing need to be more ruthless in front of goal against all opposition to ensure that their dominance is shown in terms of goals and winning performances.

Lets hope this is the case against Chichester next week!

Onwards & Upwards,

Hallsy