Brodie's first senior goal takes Worthing to victory

Luke Brodie scored Worthing's winner at Met Police last night. Picture by Marcus Hoare

Brodie, 16, struck three minutes from time to increase Worthing’s unbeaten run to three games and move them up to tenth in the Ryman League Premier Division table.

Bottom-of-the-table Met Police went ahead through Orlando Smith on 28 minutes and that was the way things were at the break, although Worthing missed a penalty that would have taken them into the break all-square.

Omar Bugiel was tripped in the area but saw his spot-kick saved by Police keeper Nathan Baxter.

Worthing were awarded a second penalty just before the hour when Bugiel was again brought down and this time Lloyd Dawes stepped up to score his sixth goal since rejoining the club from Lewes last month.

Dawes and Harvey Sparks went close for Worthing before Brodie got the winner three minutes from time. Sam Rents’ cross found its way to the youngster, who took a touch and clinically finished from 15 yards.

Meeney said: “It’s great to see so many young players coming through. We started with Jake Heryet and Matt Boiling and Luke came off the bench to get the winner, which will be great for his confidence.

“We had to be patient for our opportunities and Luke showed great composure to win the game for us.”

Worthing have taken seven points from their past three games. They drew 3-3 with Folkestone on Saturday.

Meeney said: “This league is going to be like a lift, a lot of teams are going to go up and down during the season but that just shows the quality and the strength of the sides.

“The win against Merstham last week gave the players some much-needed confidence and seven points from three games was our target. We should have won against Folkestone as well, although that was still a big point. We had a tough run with five defeats in a row but we learned a lot from it and will be better for it now and in the future.”

Worthing travel to third-placed Needham Market on Saturday before they host Leatherhead – now managed by former Wigan and Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard – on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Meeney said: “Needham will be a tough game but let’s go for it. We’ll be on a coach for three hours but we’ll go there and embrace it and try to get something.

“It’s the first of three home games in a row for them, so the pressure is on them and we’ll go to enjoy it.

“Leatherhead on Tuesday will then be entertaining with three characters in the technical area in Jimmy, Gary (Elphick; joint manager) and I. It’s Jimmy’s first year as a manager and we wish him all the best but all we’ll be focused on is getting a positive result.”

WORTHING: Banks; Hendon, Heath, Boiling, Rents; Heryet, Wills, O’Neill, Sparks; Dawes, Bugiel. Subs: Brodie (Heryet 60), Edwards (O’Neill 75), Axell, Cook.

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