Hallsy's Academy Report - Week 6

After donning our lycra last week in the spinning studio both teams were back in action with home matches, which produced a mixed set of results with the 1st XI losing out to a strong Mid Kent outfit and the 2nd XI continuing their hot streak of form with a win against Kingston.

The 1st XI took to the Arundel pitch high in confidence after a very mature performance last time out. Worthing's opponents were a strong and hard tackling Mid Kent side who took the game to the home side early on and forced keeper Kieron Gillard into a couple of fine saves. It took time for the hosts to get into the game but when they did they looked to do it in their free flowing football style with Ben Standing being the main catalyst. It was Standing's impressive run and cross, which just evaded Sam Mannings at the back post and gave Worthing one of their main chances of the half. Another chance came when striker Chris Churchill unleased a thunderbolt of a strike, which was heading goalwards but unfortunately for Worthing hit the advancing defender and away from goal.

The game was seemingly heading for a level scoreline at the break, but the visitors were to break the deadlock with the last kick of the first half. A Mid Kent corner was failed to be cleared and this led to the ball being played across the box for the Mid Kent centre half to take full advantage of. 1-0.

Worthing knew that the needed to play the ball in more advanced areas to create more chances in the second period, but they couldn't have asked for a worse start as Mid Kent doubled their lead. Another cross was not dealt with and this led to the Mid Kent striker tapping in after following up from a Gillard save. 2-0.

Worthing responded well to this by playing all the passing football and switching the play from left to right at ease. Unfortunately for the hosts they were not able to find the final ball, which their play deserved. The one golden chance to get back into the game came when the ball fell kindly to the in form Alex Staines in the box, however the ball was struck high and over the opposition bar.

The final nail in the coffin came with 5 minutes to go. Another cross was not stopped and even though it looked as if the Mid Kent number 10 had put the ball in with his hand, the goal stood. 3-0.

All in all the lads worked hard, but at times they needed to play the ball forward more quickly and not lose the ball in one areas, but we are still heading in the right direction.

The 2nd XI were back in league action and recorded their second win in the league against a physical Kingston team. The 2nd XI won 3-2 with a Paul Jackson brace and a Zaki Rahman free kick on the scoresheet. Another excellent performance by the lads against a technically sound side and both Danny and Dave are pleased with the progress of both sides. So onwards and upwards to all of you!!

Cheers,

Hallsy