Teams:
 
Substitutes:
 
Tooting & Mitcham
Hartburn (Hamlin 30)
Smith (Gray 53)

Kidson (Pinnock 74)
Abbey


Worthing:
Hancock (Davis 65)
Sadough (Day 82)
Pulling


Bookings:
 
Tooting & Mitcham United:
P. Vines (booked 34, sent off 81)

Worthing:
D. Lovegove (74)


Officials:

Referee: J. Wheeler
Assistants: R. Marsh & M. Lucie
 
Attendance: 424
Saturday 26th January 2008
Worthing (1) 3 Tooting & Mitcham United (0) 4
 

The Terrors twice came from behind to win 4-3 at Worthing. The second half in particular was stunning entertainment and in complete contrast to the bore draw between the sides a few weeks ago.

The Terrors were not at their best in the first half, Dave King just grabbing an early lob, and Dave just managed to clear his lines after an uncharacteristic mistake by Romuald.

Paul Vines was making his first start for some while and you immediately notice the difference he makes, he put Worthing's tall centre backs under pressure. Paul actually had a few decent first half chances, one shot was just pushed away by the fingertips of keeper Rikki Banks.

The Terrors lost Dean Hamlin after half an hour through injury, he was replaced by Colin Hartburn. Worthing were far more positive than in the recent game at Imperial Fields when they employed baffling tactics after The Terrors went down to ten men in the first half.

They took a 42nd minute lead when Joe Keehan chested down a cross and volleyed in off a post, and Scott Kirkwood went close just before the break as The Terrors defence was again exposed.

However the Terrors equalised two minutes after the break with a wonderful goal. A cross hit beyond the far post found Jamie Byatt who crashed a volley into the top corner.

It took Worthing only three minutes to regain the lead, Scott Kirkwood bundling the ball in when The Terrors failed to defend a long throw.

With Byatt and Ronnie Green pushing forward down the flanks, and roared on by the excellent away support (best in a long while), The Terrors pounded away at the Worthing defence and again levelled after 70 minutes, Jamie Byatt robbed defender Andy Alexander before firing past keeper Banks.

Byatt turned provider after 81 minutes with a run down the left and low cross which was hammered in off the underside of the bar by Paul Vines. Unfortunately Paul was yellow carded for his celebrations having been cautioned in the first half, it seemed a bit harsh to say the least. He nearly survived, the referee had forgotten about the first half booking and had to be reminded by one of his assistants.

With five minutes left a good move down the right ended with Romuald Bouadji slotting in a square pass from Dorian Smith. A few eyebrows had been raised when with the score at 2-2, Romuald had been pushed into midfield at the expense of Jason Pinnock. OK, we'll give you that one Billy. Worthing immediately pulled a goal back through Scott Kirkwood after a mix up at the back, but the Terrors held on for an epic victory.

 


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