Rebels run away with a win
Saturday afternoon was a road trip, after the last two weekends in Sussex for games, I needed a break. With so many fixtures over the last two months I’ve visited a lot of the grounds I’ve wanted to get to and some twice over, so with that in mind and wanting to get a bit further away I settled upon East Thurrock vs Worthing, joined by Gareth Spinks.
This was going to be the third time of watching the Rebels in action so far this season, a season where things have to be repeated and an end result this time as table toppers would be nice!
The hosts began the day in the bottom three after a wretched start to the season having won just once so far, Worthing meanwhile appear to be intent on making sure last year wasn’t a one off and are pushing once again in the early table at the top end.
Bolstered by a couple of new signings for the visitors and playing a very attacking formation, Worthing tried to make the most of the tentative start by the hosts by attacking at will but failed to really test Rocks keeper Arthur Janata.
Joel Colbran almost gave the visitors the lead just before the half hour mark but he couldn’t quite guide the ball home, just missing the far post with Janata beaten. Reece Meekums and Mo Diallo were next to try their luck, the keeper saving from the former and followed up by not allowing the latter to hit the target.
It was Colbran however who gave Worthing the lead on 35 minutes, picking up a loose clearance from a corner and smashing the ball back past Janata. Three minutes later and it should have been two, a delightful slaloming run from Ricky Aguiar past three Thurrock defenders ended with his effort hitting the crossbar and bouncing away to safety for what would have been an outstanding goal.
As it was they didn’t have to wait long for the second goal, Aguiar again unleashing another shot to hit the woodwork but this one fell to Diallo who slammed it home from a tight angle to give the Rebels a 2-0 half time lead that was fully deserved.
The Rocks began the second half with a bit more purpose, the wind in their favour as Worthing struggled to get hold of the ball and get it back on the grass, Roco Rees being the busier of the two keepers.
The game then took a little bit of a twist with Rebels defender Cam Tutt dismissed for a bad challenge on a Rocks striker, no complaints from left back as he made his way down the tunnel leaving his team-mates to defend their 2-0 lead for half an hour.
Boss Adam Hinshelwood responded with a couple of changes, a debut for striker Omar Koroma and Danny Pappoe coming on to shore up the backline, Worthing content to soak up the pressure and hit the hosts on the break.
Koroma came a good focal point holding the ball up to allow the players around him to break as the Rocks had to push forward to try and halve the deficit.
Just to ensure there was enough protection for his back three, Hinshelwood sent on Darren Budd for Dajon Golding, to keep things simple and tidy and maintain possession.
Six minutes from time, Koroma made his way into the penalty area before being fouled, stepped up and converted coolly into the bottom right hand corner and seemingly to send the points back to Sussex.
The hosts did finally find the net, Ezekiel Bademosi’s shot squirming through the hands of Rees in the Worthing goal but too little too late and the Rebels kept their place on goal difference at the top of the table.
A pretty convincing win for the visitors and having strengthened the squad in recent weeks shows Worthing really mean business once again and with games in hand already and only one defeat in the first seven games they could well be the side to beat once again this year.
More midweek action for me, 21 games so far and topped up this week by Wick vs Selsey and hopefully more Pitching In Isthmian Premier Division action with Cray vs Merstham.