Ten-man Mavericks lose at Loxwood

WORTHING United Football Club's winless run in the Southern Combination League Premier Division was extended to eight games on Saturday.
United boss Nigel GearyUnited boss Nigel Geary
United boss Nigel Geary

Pat Rose fired United ahead after 13 minutes at Loxwood but strikes from debutant Ollie Moore and Michael Wood ensured the home side completed the turnaround.

United were forced to play the final 50 minutes with ten men as Grant Philpott was shown a straight red for abusive language.

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Mavericks boss Nigel Geary felt the sending off cost his side in the end.

He said: “I think in the end playing with ten men cost us.

“We were dominant for most of the game but things are just not going for us at this minute.

“I think we just need that one positive result to turn it all around.

“The pleasing part for me is that we can go to top teams in this league and match them for long periods.”

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It was far from a classic with the lengthy break since their last match clearly visible on a below-par Magpies.

They went close early on as Wood twisted and turned in the box, but his effort was blocked away for a corner on six minutes.

While an tight offside flag brought a premature end to a United attack as Paul Elliott’s through ball set Rose away one on one.

Harrison Hilfiker then pulled off a good save to deny Elliott before the visitors went ahead.

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Loxwood were caught over playing and lost possession and a shot from range was blocked, but fell into the path of Rose, who prodded home.

But just two minutes later, the Magpies levelled. A free-kick from the left found Moore 14 yards out and his looping attempt at a header came off his shoulder, but flew over Fraser Trigwell.

Harry Bachelor went close after a good flowing move and then just failed to get on the end of a teasing cross from Sam Beard.

A Elliott free-kick then caused the hosts problems as it bounced all the way though and came back off the post, Aaron Hasan then tried to finish from a tight angle, but Hilfiker managed to collect.

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At the other end, Eddie French somehow put his close-range diving header, from a Ross Swaine cross, off target.

Philpott was then dismissed by referee Nick Blogg after a decision went against the defender and he swore at the linesman.

This meant Rose, who had being causing Loxwood all sorts of problems playing in the hole, was sacrificed for Dave Marsh to play at the back.

The second half was more subdued as having a man less seemed to galvanise Worthing, who had plenty of possession in an even 45 minutes.

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On 64 minutes, a ball over the top set Owen Callaghan away and he squared for debutant Alfie Gritt, but he struck straight at Hilfiker.

Loxwood took the lead on 71 minutes as an over-hit corner fell to Wood wide left, he skipped past his man and fired into the bottom corner from outside the box, despite Trigwell getting a hand to it.

Substitute Charlie Pitcher then superbly flicked home after a great ball from Wood, but the striker was offside.

At the other end, Gritt broke the line and drew blocked save from Hilfiker and as the forward twisted to get the rebound away, it was also blocked away by Lewis Scally.

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In added time as United threw everything forwards, Callaghan struck a tame effort at Hilfiker and then had an effort blocked over after a couple of corners, as they failed to find a deserved equaliser.

WORTHING UNITED: Trigwell, Taylor, Philpott, Hasan, Hall, Callaghan, Gilmour, Rose, Nagle, P.Elliott, Gritt. Subs: Tugnutt (Hall), Joseph (P.Elliott), Marsh (Rose), J.Elliott, Evans.

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