FOOTBALL: Colbran finds YM loss hard to take

WORTHING Football Club manager Simon Colbran blasted his side's performance after their Easter Monday 1-0 defeat at Horsham YMCA, and has told his players there is still a long way to go in their bid for promotion into the Ryman League Premier Division.

Just two days earlier, a superb performance saw Rebels beat leaders Croydon Athletic 2-1 at home and close the gap at the top, but a lack-lustre display against YM and wins for second-placed Folkestone and Croydon, saw Worthing's title hopes all but slip away.

It is now looking like Worthing will have to try their hand in the play-offs for the third successive year.

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Colbran agreed their title hopes may well be over and has warned his players they need to improve on the YM performance if they still want promotion at all. He said: "I have backed the players all season but after a performance like that, when you're a side pushing for promotion, it is very difficult to.

"I don't know how they can perform in a local derby like that. It amazed me, the lack of passion. I told them they have all got to go away and have a long, hard look at themselves and see if they still want it.

"They looked as though they all think they have done it, but with we're far from it. With five games to go and possibly two play-off games, there is a long way to go."

The game at Gorings Mead on Monday was a scrappy one, which produced few chances. There was very little to note in the first half. YM's Terry Dodd twice went close, his first chance came after breaking through on 25 minutes but he tamely shot at Alan Mansfield, before his scuffed shot was deflected wide.

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Tackles were in no short supply, however, as both sides found themselves with players in the book.

Two minutes after half-time, Mike Huckett fired YM in front from the penalty spot. Glen Woodburn clipped Matt Geard in the penalty area and Huckett placed the spot kick to the left of Mansfield who, despite diving the right way, could not get a hand on the ball.

The closest Rebels went to equalising was on 85 minutes when Ben Williamson rounded YM keeper Tony Di Bernardo. He went wide and rolled a shot towards goal but it was cleared before Jamie Brotherton could get on the end of it.

On the game, Colbran said: "It was very disappointing, I don't want to point blame as, at the end of the day, we didn't deserve anything. But the pitch was attrocious and the officials weren't much better.

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"When we are poor and beat, I'm the first to hold my hands up. The penalty was a little bit harsh, and I think players just go down too easily now at all levels. It should be something referees are looking at."

Rebels will now look to right Saturday's wrongs against Merstham on Saturday, when Colbran hopes to welcome back Ryan Adams, who twisted his knee on Saturday. Striker Chamal Fenelon is still only rated 50-50, having not fully recovered from a back problem.

Worthing will be up against former striker Gavin Gordon, who fell out of favour at Woodside Road and joined Merstham in February. He has since scored eight goals in 13 starts.

Colbran said: "It's another hard game and it will be tough.They break very quickly as a team and we'll need to be on our toes.

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"When we get Cham back it will be a massive boost. We've missed him with the presence and pressure he brings."

WORTHING: Mansfield; Denton, Axten, Woodburn, Groves; Brotherton, Patton, Akehurst, Johnson; Pitt, Archibald. Subs: Williamson (Pitt 45), Kennett (Akehurst 65), Greenfield (Groves 83), Woodford, Clarke.

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