Our sixth friendly in preparation for the 2025/26 season had an added element of significance, as Chris Agutter was visiting his former side for the first time since swapping East Sussex for West Sussex last summer.
The opening exchanges were bereft of any rhythm, with both sides struggling to come to terms with the testing pitch conditions.
It took until the 20th minute for the first shot on target to occur, as Seb Stacey parried Jack Lyons’ free-kick over the crossbar.
That chance brought the game to life as the returning Joel Colbran immediately tested Fin Holter with a well-struck drive down the other end.
The Worthing skipper was continuously afforded acres of space by the opposition and the Rebels eventually capitalised to open the scoring.
Opposite wing-back Sam Beard clipped a cross towards Colbran, whose shot was blocked on the line. The long-serving defender was gifted another opportunity to strike goal-ward and more valiant defending resulted in another last-ditch clearance. However, on this occasion the clearance fell to Sam Packham, who confidently lashed into the empty net.
The deadlock was broken and the floodgates were opened as it took only four minutes for Worthing to breach Hastings’ goal for the second occasion.
Beard was undeniably the most prominent creative force for Chris Agutter’s side during the opening half hour and the full-back created our second following another foray forward. After drifting inside from the right-flank, the no-nonsense defender swapped flying challenges for defence-splitting passes and played through Bailey Smith. Full of confidence after netting in earlier friendlies against a West Ham XI and Chatham Town, the forward breezed past several Claret and Blue shirts before slotting a neat finish past Holter.
The second period commenced in similar fashion to the second, with plenty of fouls and offside offences causing several stoppages.
On the hour mark, Beard almost grabbed a goal to accompany his earlier assist, but Hastings stopper Holter reacted smartly to thwart the defender. The advanced Colbran attempted to convert the rebound, although his effort could only ripple the side-netting.
Stacey commanded his box with experience beyond his tender years to prevent the hosts from having any offensive success.
Another positive for the visitors was the introduction of Anointed Chukwu midway through the second half as the striker registered his first minutes as a Worthing player. The former Enfield man showed glimpses of his potential with some flashes of neat footwork.
Nathan Odokonyero came desperately close to adding a third and opening his account for the Club in the dying embers, only for the woodwork to deny the striker.
Our number nine was released by an incisive pass from Jack Spong and proceeded to open up his body to create the angle to shoot. His curling effort had the beating of Holter, but not the upright, as it clipped the post and bounced clear of danger.
That was the final action of the friendly as the Worthing defence held firm to preserve their clean sheet. Chris Agutter and his players conclude their pre-season schedule this Saturday, as they welcome National League outfit Braintree Town to the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
Worthing FC: Stacey, Packham, Ransom, Byron (Jordan 74′); Beard, Odei (Spong 46′), Frimpong (Odokonyero 74′), Burgess (F.Smith 87′), Colbran (C) (Coleman De-Graft 74′); B. Smith (Chukwu 74′), Babalola (Dolaghan 74′)
Subs not used: Trialist A, Thomas-Pryke
Scorers: Packham 26′, B. Smith 30′
