Elphick relieved as losing run is halted

Worthing Football Club joint manager Gary Elphick spoke of his relief after his side halted a six game Ryman League Premier Division losing streak on Saturday.
Dan Summers celebrates after netting on his Worthing debut at Harrow BoroughDan Summers celebrates after netting on his Worthing debut at Harrow Borough
Dan Summers celebrates after netting on his Worthing debut at Harrow Borough

A first senior goal for 17-year-old Charlie Williamson and a debut effort from Dan Summers helped Worthing twice come from behind to seal a 2-2 draw at Harrow Borough.

Elphick felt the point was well deserved following a much-improved display from his team, though, he believes both goals conceded were avoidable.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “We just wanted to stop the rot and we’ve finally managed to do that. I gave the boys a bit of a rollicking at half-time but the response in the second was superb.

“That was the sort of game we’d have folded in a few weeks back, so to come from behind twice showed great character and it gives us the opportunity to turn things around now.

“It’s a good start but the boys need to show what they did in the second half at Harrow moving forward now.”

Having suffered their heaviest home league defeat at hands of Harrow last month, Worthing were eager to put that 4-0 loss right.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Harrow were off to the best possible start, taking the lead inside five minutes.

Francis Babalola was allowed too much time on the ball, before he struck a sweet left-foot effort into the bottom corner.

Williamson’s first senior goal for Worthing hauled them back level on the half-hour.

Having worked so hard to get back level, Worthing fell behind for a second time four minutes before the break.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Andy Lomas’ cross was met by Marc Charles-Smith, who rose above two opposition defenders to net his first goal of 2017.

Worthing were gifted a way back into it on the hour. Harrow goalkeeper Luke Williams spilled a cross with Summers on hand to poke home a debut goal.

After fighting back from behind twice, Elphick is hopeful this kick starts a revival for Worthing now.

In the previous two games, Will Hendon and Jack Cook have started in defence together following substantial time-out through injury.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Worthing joint boss Elphick believes having those two back in defence will be massive for the final eight games.

He added: “When we had that 14-game unbeaten run earlier in the season both Jack and Will were massive influences in that.

“It’s a relief to have them back fit and firing for us again. They’ll will be massive for us in the final few games of the season, I’m sure of that.

“Ending the losing run we were on should give us a platform to finish this season with some positive results now.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Worthing welcome Lowestoft Town to Woodside Road in the league on Saturday. Skipper Kane Wills is suspended for the fixture.

WORTHING: Thorp; Hendon, Cook, Heath, Rents; Williamson, Edwards, Wills, Sparks; Clark, Summers. Subs: Waller (Edwards, 61), O’Neill (Williamson, 62), Herbert (Waller, 86), Watson, Belward.

Don't miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you'll be amongst the first to know what's going on.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

1) Make our website your homepage at www.worthingherald.co.uk/2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Worthing.news3) Follow us on Twitter @Worthing_Herald

4) Register with us by clicking on 'sign in' (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don't miss out!

The Worthing Herald - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.