A View from the Zak! - League Edition

It’s difficult when a side gets to this stage of the season, out of the national cup, can no longer win the national league and have already crowned themselves the best women’s college side in Sussex. But the first of back to back games against Southgate was by no means a meaningless game. With Southgate one point ahead of Worthing, a defeat would mean that Worthing could end up 3rd and possibly 4th in their league, but a win would leave them on course to finish 2nd only behind National cup champions Filton.

Southgate were no mugs, since their 4-1 defeat at home to Worthing at the beginning of the season they had come on in leaps and bounds, and were coming into this game on the back of only losing 2-1 to Filton. Worthing had also proved their worth at this level too and it was certain to be a tough contest. The game saw two England Colleges’ wingers come face to face on the same side of the pitch, but who would prevail.

The game started cagey, the ground was hard and the ball was bouncing round a lot leaving it difficult to play football on, both sides looked like they were afraid of making errors and both were reserved in raising the tempo of the game.
After 25 minutes the only opportunity came from a surprise suspect. The ball was half cleared from a Worthing set piece and fell on the edge of the area to Meg Cave who struck the ball well, the Southgate keeper tipped the ball onto the bar and with it kindly falling back into her hands. But Southgate did look dangerous in attack, without creating many chances they showed that they could up the tempo in the final third and catch Worthing slightly unaware. This led to the best chance of the half coming on the half hour mark, the Southgate and England Colleges’ winger laid the ball inside to the centre midfielder who picked a perfect ball that dissected Danni Lane and Stacey-Leigh Johnson straight into the path of the on-rushing winger. One on one the winger struck the ball firmly low to Lauren Binfield’s left, but somehow Binfield got a strong left hand to the ball before gathering it in. Outstanding Save!

Other than that it was half chances going Worthing’s way but more positive possession going Southgate’s. Southgate were a tough opposition, which was bringing out the best in Worthing, their work rate was very good, and the link up play in the new 4-4-2 formation was working well. This nearly saw Chloe Debaes away a few times, but her half chances never managed to trouble the Southgate goalkeeper. As the half drew to a close, both sides would have been happy with their performances, both had been involved in decent attacking play, but both had defended well enough to keep two clean sheets.
At half time, the word from Mike was to be positive, and continue to battle hard. This was also the case for Southgate you would imagine as tired legs on a big pitch would lead to mistakes and chances.

No changes were made and things resumed in a similar fashion, Jemma Kendall continued to have a personal battle with the Southgate number 12 who was strong and willing to put herself about, but Kendall was definitely up for a scrap. As the game began to open up, both teams still seemed to be stronger at the back than they did up front. And for all Worthing’s pressure, it was still only half chances being created. Emily Hale came on to replace Chloe Debaes with Naomi Robinson joining Amy Potkins upfront, this left Potkins as the main striker as Robinson dropped off to try and get on the ball.

The next change could have been the crucial one, Danni Lane who had been keeping the impressive Southgate winger quiet was moved from right back to right midfield with Alex Fagan coming on at right back and Maddy Emmerton being replaced. This gave Worthing a little extra going forward, as Lane was having a lot of joy on the ball. `After a long spell of pressure from Worthing, a big chance came, Alex Fagan was caught in possession with the left winger taking the ball from her feet and finding herself through on goal, the Number 8’s shot ended up just inches over the bar but a massive let off for Worthing.
But once again, Worthing were dominating possession and Sophie Frost was having a lot more involvement in the second half. But once again, the big chance fell to Southgate. A succession of corner forced Binfield to make a good punch and Lane to make a good headed clearance. Southgate had lifted the tempo and Worthing were nearly caught out, but once again having a top class goalkeeper saved them. Robinson and Lane had now switched leaving the starting right back playing up front with top scorer Potkins.

Now it was Worthing’s time to put some pressure on the Southgate defence, some of Worthing’s football in the final third was top draw and Robinson, Potkins, Lane and Hale were making a dangerous front 4 with plenty of supply from Kendall and Frost. But for all the good football, the dead lock was broken with 20 minutes to go with what can only be described as a scrappy goal. A Robinson corner was right under the crossbar and there was enough pressure on the goalkeeper for the ball just to hit Lane and find its way into the net. 1-0.

This was exactly what Worthing needed to take the game away from Southgate. Southgate heads dropped after such hard work to keep a clean sheet for 70 minutes and the second goal followed not long after. Robinson found Danni Lane on the edge of the area who powered between the two centre backs and easily put the ball passed the Southgate keeper. 2-0.

This was now game over with 15 minutes to go as Worthing continued to create chances and force the Southgate keeper into some good saves. Lane could have had a hat trick and Robinson, Hale, Potkins and Kendall had efforts that weren’t far away. The game ended 2-0 and Worthing can be very pleased with their performance, the work rate on a hot day was good, the quality on the ball was good, and the result was good, If Worthing avoid defeat away to Southgate next week, then 2nd Place is secured.
Player of the Match – Jemma Kendall, was excellent all afternoon and by far her best performance this season. She came up against a very strong and powerful Southgate central midfield. She matched them for work rate and strength all afternoon, leaving her quality on and odd the ball to shine through and push Worthing forward in attack.

Zaki