Thursday 26 March 2009

And from their perspective:

Here is the match report that was posted on the official Worthing website:

Hamlet 5-6 Rebels
Monday, 23 March 2009
Supporters show first team how to win with fantastic comeback. Report here!


The 2nd meeting of Dulwich Hamlet Supporters & Worthing FSAFC was delayed by half an hour just like the lesser fixture in North London between Spurs & Chelsea. The reason for the delay was the same for both games, ’problems’ on the Victoria Line. Whereas the above mentioned Premiership fixture was delayed in order that fans make the game, in Worthing’s case, we were waiting on one individual so as to have a full starting XI. Despite a multi million pound offer to come out of retirement, this reporter couldn’t be bought off. Luckily, Worthing were only required to play the first few minutes with ten men. “The Victoria Line was shut” excuse doesn’t wash when you’re playing for a professionally run outfit such as Worthing F.C.F.S.A. Worthing took the field looking very smart and professional in there spanking new all red kit kindly supplied by the club sponsor. The kit closely resembled Liverpool’s home strip. Would the performance on the field have any resemblance to Liverpool though? The match kicked off in glorious sunshine in the pretty surrounds of Belair Park which is in the ‘posh’ part of Dulwich. What ‘James & Miranda’ thought of the game as they pushed Tarquin around the park in his three wheeled buggy, one can only assume? I’m certain they would have been impressed at the sight of twenty two finely tuned athletes partaking in a game of association football on this fine morning…….. Worthing FCFSA won a hard fought game 6-5, against all the odds, to maintain their recent fine run of fine form. Things didn’t start too well for Worthing though…. Within the first ten minutes, Worthing found themselves 2-0 down. Alas, both goals can be attributed to Worthing’s central defenders. Debutant Mike Kent who was coaxed out of retirement after 25 years, was done for pace for the first goal whilst Captain (?) Nick Courtnadge who appeared to have been unwell some minutes earlier, upended a Dulwich striker for a clear cut penalty. This setback served as a wake up call to Worthing. Phil Brown was unlucky not to score after rattling the bar and another shot by Phil went narrowly over. Mark Langridge also went very close in the same spell of play. Around the 25 minute mark, the fight back began. A Jon Justice corner was power headed into the home net by a defender, although Courtnage appeared to claim it. Soon after, the two goal cushion for Dulwich was restored. The Worthing defence opened up like the red sea, giving Keeper Jon Roberts no chance 1-3. Soon after, Worthing were fighting back. Another debutant, Demi Niksbos found himself in space on the right to fire home Worthing’s second. Half time score, 2-3. A serious half time talk and change of tactics were to bring a turnaround in Worthing’s fortunes. However, not before Worthing found themselves 4-2 soon after the restart. This goal was to prove the turning point of the match with Mark Langridge leading the fight back from hereon. A fine effort from Langridge on the edge of the box found its way through the crowded area to make the score 4-3 in favour of Dulwich. There followed an intense spell of Worthing pressure. Bradley Stratton fed the ball to Langridge who found himself in space but his shot was deflected for a corner. Minutes after, Roberts saved the day with a reflex save after the defence had been split. Soon after, Worthing were on level terms with the goal of the day. Justice picked the ball up on the left following a corner from Jones and he crossed for Langridge to scissor kick home to make the score 4-4 and everything to play for. Soon after, Worthing were awarded a free kick for an infringement near the area. The resulting kick caused chaos on the Dulwich area after the keeper had failed to gather the ball cleanly. Langridge was on hand to poke home and make the score 5-4. Worthing had a glorious chance to increase their lead on around the 75 minutes mark. A great pass from Langridge on the left found Brown in front of goal with only the keeper to beat. Unfortunately, he scythed his effort wide. Despite the balance of play turning and a definite suspicion of offside, Dulwich were soon back on level terms after the defence was split. With the game finely balanced, nerves on both sides were now a jangling. However it was Worthing who were to keep their nerve and move on to glorious victory. A long throw from Ryan Jones on the right found Mark Langridge for him to poke home his forth goal of the morning. With time running out, Dulwich mounted one final attack. Roberts diving save was palmed onto a post before trickling away to safety. Final score Worthing FCFSA 6 Dulwich Hamlet 5. Worthing: Jon Roberts, Alex Kershaw, Bradley Stratton, Aron Goff , Mike Kent, Nick Courtnadge, Phil Brown, Demmo Niksbos, Jon Justice, Mark Langridge, Ryan Jones.
Scorers: Langridge (4), Niksbos, Own goal. Well done to both teams for a fine effort and a game played in the right spirit. Worthing’s fine run of results in 2009 continues

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