Worthing match report
match report by Rupert Cane
Sometimes when two much-changed teams face off in the early rounds of a lesser cup competition, an action-packed and goal-laden contest ensues. There are mistakes at both ends, cards shown, perhaps even a penalty saved as the tie swings this way and that.
Alas, at King George’s Field on Wednesday night, that was not the case. A Velocity Trophy meeting between Worthing, the Isthmian League’s best team, and K’s, loitering just outside the play-offs, appeared destined to end goalless from, well, almost the first minute.
K’s, with new signing Walter Figueira in attack, did start full of intent trying to disrupt Worthing’s noted passing game. Daniel Ajakaiye nearly latched onto a couple of long balls between backline and keeper. The same man stumbled when Figueira deftly played him in.
Worthing sporadically threatened in the first 45, too. Will Seager found Maxwell Bartlett with a searching long pass and he blasted wide of Serine Sanneh’s goal. Marvin Armstrong had a shot blocked. Ollie Cook committed a cynical yet clever foul on the edge of the box that perhaps K’s have been too reticent to make this season. The defender was only booked.
And the second half? Ajakaiye showed lightening speed to lead a break from the edge of our box before clipping a pass right to Figueira, denied a debut goal only by a last-ditch block.
The same fate befell sub Rhys Murrell-Williamson after he danced between a pair of bewitched Worthing defenders only to see Seager’s head get in the way of a clean strike. Between those efforts another visitor blocked Jason Banton’s strike at the climax of K’s best move of the game, Fabio Saraiva and the lively Figueira both heavily involved.
The contest did open up a little in the final quarter-hour, but spot-kicks still felt inevitable. That was until Worthing snatched victory in the 88th minute, sub Owen Wordsell slamming the ball in from close range after Sanneh had done well to save the initial effort.
In fairness to the Rebels/Reds/Mackerel Men, they had probably conjured the best two openings of the second period. Dayshonne Golding shot wide when clean through, and earlier Bartlett had headed a good chance over the bar. Still, spot-kicks seemed the fairest way to separate the sides, and perhaps provide some drama in a contest that unquestionably lacked it.
Kingstonian’s campaign will now continue on two fronts, starting with the visit of Potters Bar on Saturday.
Kingstonian: Serine Sanneh, Kershaney Samuels, Fabio Saraiva, Simon Cooper, Ollie Cook, Kenny Beaney, Daniel Ajakaiye, Olly Allen, Walter Figueira, Jason Banton, Calvin Ekpiteta.
Subs: Elliott Buchanan, Rhys Murrell-Williamson (for Calvin Ekpiteta, 62m), Jonathon Gjoshe (for Olly Allen, 62m), Kwesi Ntim (for Jason Banton, 87m)
Worthing: Harrison Male, James Beresford, Pat Webber, Darren Budd, Will Seager, Luca Cocoracchio, Dean Cox, Marvin Armstrong, Dayshonne Golding, Maxwell Bartlett, Kyle O'Brien.
Subs: Ruben Austin, Frankie Perry (for Dean Cox, 74m), Owen Spicer (for Will Seager, 87m), Owen Wordsell (for Kyle O'Brien, 74m)
Goal scorer: Owen Wordsell (88m, 0-1)
Attendance: 173
