Mens 1st XI v Marden Russets

Details	Players
Season: Season 2008-2009 Date: 25.10.2008 Time: 13:00 Team: Mens 1st XI Competition: League Location: Home Opponent: Marden Russets Our Score: 5 Opponent Score: 4 Result: Won	Matt Ansell - 0 Goal(s) Andy Williams - 0 Goal(s) James Godber - 0 Goal(s) Joel Shepherd - 0 Goal(s) Bryan Lock - 1 Goal(s) Chris Binns - 0 Goal(s) David Clayton - 0 Goal(s) Dan Ginnaw - 1 Goal(s) John Massie - 0 Goal(s) Michael Gubbins - 0 Goal(s) David Beales - 0 Goal(s) Craig Paterson - 1 Goal(s) Ben Burriss - 0 Goal(s) Alex Warner - 2 Goal(s)

Match Report(s)

Worthing 5 v 4 Marden Russets

Scorers:  Alex Warner (2) Daniel Ginnaw, Mark Humphries, Bryan Lock.

Worthing gave league home debuts to Ben Burriss and Joel Shepherd in an unchanged squad of 14 players.

Moving to a more attacking formation of 2-3-5, Worthing hoped that their change in formation would provide them with attacking potential and the ability to defend higher up the pitch.

However from the opening whistle Russets attacked down the right flank and affter a fine cross and deflected shot Chris Binns was brought into early action and produced a magnificent diving stick save to tip the ball round the post.

Worthing soon found their stride and Ansell and Burriss in inside forward positions linked the play well between the defence and attack. Good play from Warner and Burriss gave Humphries an early chance, however his low shot was comfortably saved by the opposing keeper.

With Williams looking a little shaken from last weeks encounters his usual attacking thrusts down the Worthing right flank were missing, so it was Burriss and Clayton who provided the width and penetration down the right flank. It was from such an attack that Worthing were awarded a short corner. Alex Warner dispatched an unstoppable rocket into the roof of the net. Warner's accuracy and power from the set piece is proving very important in this seasons campaign.

For periods of the first half Worthing controlled the game well and looked dangerous in the attack. Man of the Match Humphries worked well down the left wing, combining with Lock and Ansell to open up the oppositions defence. After Lock was fouled in the 'D' Warner added his and Worthing's second, with his another drag flick, this one just as pacy but to the opposing corner. Russets did not fold under this early pressure and they combined well in midfield and their pace in attack caused Shepherd and Godber difficulties at the back. This pace up front was rewarded with a short corner and despite an intial diving save from Binns, Russets got off the mark and made it 2-1. Worthing introduced Gubbins into the game and rested Clayton and this had an immediate impact with Burriss combining well with the youngster and winning another short corner. Worthing slipped the ball and Lock cooly slotted home to make it 3-1.

Worthing now looked in control and were beginning to relax and find their stride, Beales came in for Massie at left half adding further pace into the Worthing defence. However shortly after this change after a quick attack from Russets, their forward shot powerfully at the goal, James Godber threw his body on the line for the team and the ball struck him on the side of the head. Thankfully James was not seriously injured although he has a big swelling which will be painful in the morning. Massie was brought back into the match and Beales dropped back to play full back with Shepherd.

Warner playing his first full game at centre half had a steady and disciplined match. He demonstrated good vision and offered penetration where necessary. With the inside forwards operating as a high line in front of him, Warner was able to link well and Worthing displayed some good periods of ball rentention.

At half time Worthing seemed comfortable but knew they would need to keep the intensity and work rate up in the second half if they were to win all three points. Russets started the second half well and after some poor defending they scored their second to make it 3-2. This appeared to wake up Worthing and good play from Burriss and then a first time pass from Ansell put Lock through, his reverse stick shot looked goal bound, however as discussed in training Dan Ginnaw was waiting to poach at the far post and he grabbed his second league goal this season. After a great tackle and driving run from Burriss, the ball was moved onto Lock, he drove forward drawing the defenders to him before slipping the ball to Humphries. The new foward from Horsham floated into the 'D' and as the oncoming keeper came out he brilliantly flicked the ball over the keeper into the Russets net. At 5-2 with 15 minutes to play Worthing seemingly had the game and points under control. However much like the previous home match Worthing lacked the necessary concentration and defensive steel to see the game out. The last quarter of the game resembled a basketball match with neither side being able to control the game, but just exchanged attacks. it was the Russets team that benefited most from this and disappointingly Worthing let in two late goals.

Humphries demonstrated the level of commitment and fight that was required by the whole team with great work and defensive awareness in the dying minutes of the match. Whilst it is pleasing to have gained the three points the team felt that there was much to work on and therefore hopefully alot more to come from this Worthing team.

With Ben and Joel beginnig to settle into the team, both the Australians demonstrated periods and glimses of brilliance in their play and both are proving to be an instant asset to the squad.

Worthing travel to local rivals Horsham this week. The Sussex team have had some good results this season and will provide stiff opposition to Worthing, but the team know that another 3 points will be required.  

SQUAD:

Binns, Shepherd, Godber, Williams, Massie, Burriss, Warner, Ansell, Clayton, Lock, Humphries, Gubbins, Beales, Ginnaw.

 

MOM - Humphries

WOW - Williams