It was an overcast afternoon on the south coast as we faced Worthing for the second time this season – a crucial clash in the National League South promotion race. Jack Young got us underway in our blue and black stripes, and the game sparked into life early on.
Worthing threatened first when Mo Faal dispossessed Rob Milsom and surged forward, only for his shot to be deflected behind by Harrison Foulkes. The resulting corner came to nothing, allowing us to settle and begin imposing our passing game on the contest.
Our first real opening came courtesy of Niall McManus, whose relentless pressing forced Covolan into a rushed clearance. The ball fell to Charlie Carter, whose cushioned header found Alfie Rutherford. Alfie struck the bouncing ball first time, attempting to catch the keeper off his line, but his effort flashed narrowly wide.
Moments later, Carter picked up the ball and drove into the box, curling a shot towards the near post that just drifted the wrong side of the upright.
Rutherford was involved again in our third chance of the opening 15 minutes. Starting on the left, he drove at the defence, skipping past one, two, maybe even three Worthing players, before his low shot was safely gathered by Covolan.
Worthing nearly found a way through when Cashman broke centrally and looked to slide in Faal. His pass was expertly cut out by a stretching Jimmy Muitt. In the same passage of play, Cashman appeared to pull his hamstring. Though he returned to the pitch briefly with heavy strapping, he was soon replaced.
We had a major scare when George Francomb was caught on the edge of our area by Faal. His effort was bravely blocked by Brennan Camp. Worthing kept coming – Nicky Wheeler cut in from the left and let fly with a curling strike, which was met by the head of Tony Craig. The danger wasn’t over, though – the ball fell to Faal, whose low shot was brilliantly saved by an outstretched Foulkes.
The pressure from the hosts continued with a wave of crosses and corners. Faal found himself one-on-one with Tony Craig, jinking left, right, then left again, but his shot was stopped by the foot of Rob Milsom.
Eventually, the breakthrough came. Spong stood over a free-kick on the left side of our box and whipped in a delivery that evaded everyone, nestling into the bottom corner of Foulkes’ net. 1-0
Immediately after the goal, Rob Milsom – who had just received a yellow card – was replaced by Jordan Norville-Williams.
As half-time approached, Alfie Rutherford curled in a superb cross to the back post, meeting Prior’s head. Chaos ensued, with both Prior and Camp ending up on the ground after the ball was blocked on the line.
Half Time: Worthing 1-0 Dorking Wanderers
Manager Marc White, overseeing from the top of the stand, made his second change of the afternoon at half-time – Jack Young was replaced by Matt Briggs, with Niall McManus dropping into midfield from the wing.
We began the second half with real intent and were rewarded almost immediately. A cross into the Worthing box found Alfie Rutherford, who was on hand to finish from close range and bring us level. 1-1
In the ten minutes following our equaliser, we controlled possession but struggled to carve out any clear chances. Worthing responded with a rare opening – a weak backwards header from Jordan Norville-Williams gave Faal a sight of goal, but Harrison Foulkes was equal to the effort and the resulting corner was dealt with comfortably.
Worthing continued to pose a threat on the break. Spong, already on the scoresheet, found space at the edge of our area and let fly. Brennan Camp did just enough to deflect the shot, which looped harmlessly over the bar. The resulting corner again came to nothing.
Our final substitutions of the game saw George Francomb and Alfie Rutherford replaced by James McShane and Rhys Murphy, who looked to get in behind immediately but was flagged offside.
The last clear chance of the game fell to us. Jimmy Muitt cut inside from the left and curled a strike just past the far post – a whisker away from what would have been a stunning winner.
This point confirms our place in the play-offs – now all eyes are on the 26th. Join us at home as we take on Chesham and look to finish as high in the table as possible.
Full Time: Worthing 1-1 Dorking Wanderers