Both sides had very few clear-cut opportunities to report, with the game lacking any cutting edge. Enfield defended valiantly to take a precious point back to the capital, while Worthing will feel disappointed that they were able to penetrate the opposition’s resistance.
Prior to kick-off, manager Chris Agutter’s options were bolstered by the return of former Assistant Manager Aarran Racine, as the 33-year-old was named in the starting line-up for the first time this campaign.
The experienced defender contributed to the Rebels’ first clean sheet of the season, with the defence reducing the opposition to very little chances.
The opening exchanges were contested at a entertaining pace, with both sides coming close to recording an early goal. Captain Sam Beard’s ambitious volley from range landed on top of Rhys Forster’s net inside 30 seconds before Enfield broke up the other end of the pitch and tested Seb Stacey’s reactions as Lamar Reynolds flicked Billy Leonard’s cross goalwards.
Unfortunately for the neutral, proceedings failed to follow a similar pattern for the remainder of the match.
Chris Agutter’s side enjoyed a considerable amount of possession in the first period but a crucial goal proved elusive.Jack Spong saw a couple of free-kicks saved by Forster while Temi Babalola couldn’t find the target from an acute angle.
Enfield were producing several last-ditch blocks to prevent their clean sheet from dissipating, and were frustrating the hosts in the process.
After the break, neither team could keep hold of the ball for a sustained period. This heavily suited the visitors, who were desperately defending their box in hopes of a vital away point.
Agutter opted to make a triple alteration midway through the half in an attempt to inject some urgency into the match. Bailey Smith, one of the three changes, looked lively and sent a header just over the crossbar with 20 minutes to play.
The highlight of the match arrived in the dying embers with Enfield’s skipper Mickey Parcell being shown a straight red card by referee Richard Wharton for a poorly-timed challenge on fellow substitute Kwaku Frimpong. Unfortunately for the hosts, there was only two minutes left of the allotted eight additional minutes and they were unable to find a breakthrough at the death.
MK Dons loanee Stacey recorded his first competitive clean sheet as a Worthing goalkeeper – a positive on an incredibly frustrating afternoon in West Sussex.
Worthing are back in action in less than 48 hours as they make the gruelling trip to Chippenham Town on Bank Holiday Monday.
