The Dripping Pan. One of English football’s most unique stadiums, with its undeniable charm and steep banks providing character in an abundance. This afternoon, it hosted its first game in months, as Chris Agutter’s Worthing visited Isthmian League Premier Division outfit Lewes FC.
Agutter made four changes from the midweek defeat away to Havant & Waterlooville, with Joe Cook being handed the captain’s armband in Joel Colbran’s absence.
It was an uneventful opening half hour in East Sussex. Harry Ransom registered the most notable attempt for the Rebels, as he headed over from Jack Spong’s deep corner.
Former Worthing midfielder Finlay Chadwick looked lively in the opening exchanges and sent a rasping effort narrowly wide of the target.
The hosts managed to break the deadlock before the interval, as a moment to forget from the back-line gifted the opposition a penalty. Cook’s overhit pass put Seb Stacey under pressure, which resulted in the MK Dons loanee impeding Lewes’ number nine. The striker stepped up to take the spot-kick and sent the teenager the wrong way to put his side in front.
After the break, proceedings followed a similar pattern, with both sides struggling to retain possession.
The contest burst into a life on the stroke of the hour mark as Lewes doubled their advantage. A fast break down the left flank saw the Rooks outnumber the Rebels, which allowed one of the defenders to ghost in at the back post and tap in the second.
However, Worthing would emphatically respond with the quickest of quick-fire doubles. Just four minutes after going further behind, Spong’s corner was attacked once again by Ransom at the back post. The former Sutton United defender’s header was directed towards Glen Rea, who delicately flicked the ball into the net.
Rea’s goal completely changed the complexion of the encounter, with the momentum swinging firmly in our favour.
Less than 30 seconds after halving the deficit, the Reds restored parity in audacious fashion. Indecisive play from the hosts presented Brad Dolaghan with possession inside the box. His shot was valiantly blocked on the line and fell to Spong who produced a moment of magic.
With the goalkeeper just inches off his goal-line, our new number 10 dinked an audacious effort over his head and into the back of the net.
The visitors had a few opportunities to complete the comeback in the closing stages, with Nathan Odokonyero and Toby Byron going close.
However, a winner proved elusive for either side and ultimately the match ended in a stalemate. Just two games remain of our pre-season schedule, as we travel to Hastings United on Wednesday night before welcoming National League side Braintree Town to the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
Worthing: Stacey, Cook, Ransom, Byron (Jordan 90′); Coleman De-Graft (Beard 77′), Odei (F.Smith 90′), Rea, Spong, Wheeler (Packham 77′); Odokonyero (B.Smith 83′), Dolaghan (Babalola 83′)
Subs not used: Frimpong, Burgess
Scorers: Rea 64′, Spong 65′
Attendance:
