A free-kick from midfielder Jake Evans just after the half hour mark was the difference in Wiltshire, as the visitors failed to find the back of net for a third successive game.
Chris Agutter’s side’s approach to the game was positive, as they dominated the opening 20 minutes. They were particularly threatening from set-pieces, as both Temi Babalola and Joe Cook had chances following corners. The former headed onto the roof of the net, while Cook nodded straight into the palms of goalkeeper Will Henry.
The hosts gradually grew into the contest and managed to find a way past Seb Stacey with virtually their first attempt of the contest. Evans tried his luck from 25 yards out and bent a free-kick around the wall. With pitch conditions at Hardenhuish Park far from ideal, the ball bounced awkwardly off the patchy goalmouth and past Stacey.
The Reds thought they had conjured up an almost instant response as Nathan Odokonyero smartly flicked in a dangerous cross from Razzaq Coleman De-Graft. However, after a lengthy wait, the linesman raised his flag for an offside offence.
Worthing commenced the second half in similar fashion to the first and almost restored parity within five minutes of the restart. Following a goalmouth scramble, the returning skipper Joel Colbran’s poked effort was cleared off the line by Chippenham captain Luke Haines.
While the Reds were dominating possession, Chippenham were looking to punish their opposition on the break. Quevin Castro sent a shot wildly over the crossbar and the Bluebirds tested the Worthing defence with numerous dangerous deliveries.
Gary Horgan’s men battled hard to prevent the Rebels from finding an equaliser. With 10 minutes to go, full debutant Kwaku Frimpong smashed a rasping effort past Henry, only for referee Harry Warner to disallow the goal having blown his whistle seconds before for a foul.
Despite their best efforts, a leveller proved elusive in Wiltshire and the match ended with defeat. Chris Agutter and his players will now be looking to make amends on the weekend as they welcome George Elokobi’s Maidstone United to the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
