A commanding first-half performance sadly yielded no points as Carshalton Athletic succumbed to another late goal, writes James Barrett.
Colqhoun made an early save as Harvey Sparks tested him from 25 yards, while we had a good claim for a penalty on seven minutes. Miller’s run and pass teed up Tommy Bradford inside their box but he appeared to be bundled over by Corey Heath as our man set to shoot.
We did get a spot-kick four minutes later however as Heath pushed Ricky Korboa over near the byline. Dan Summers coolly slammed the ball in for his third of the season.
Miller almost extended our lead on the quarter hour as he hit an inswinging pass on the volley from a wide angle, but the ball bounced wide of the far post.
We dealt with two Worthing free kicks awarded near our area before Korboa failed to convert two good chances before the 25 minute mark, although his low drive for the second did force keeper Rikki Banks into a low save.
But it turned out third time really was a charm for the young forward on 28 minutes. Pigden knocked a Jake Downs pass into the box which Bradford headed on. Korboa collected the flick, cut inside the last defender and lifted the ball over Banks for his second goal this week.
Korboa almost turned provider on 38 minutes as his intelligent ball on halfway got a completely free Miller away down the left. The winger managed to cut into the Worthing box but his eventual shot rattled Banks’ near post.
The last good chance of the half fell to Jack Barnes but Colqhoun managed to parry his effort from 20 yards away off target.
HALF-TIME: 2 – 0
We came within the width of a post of extending our lead yet again on 48 minutes. Adriano Moraes headed a corner delivery back into the visitor’s six yard box and Alex Penfold flicked the ball against the far post.
Worthing made two substitutions and changed their shape on 51 minutes, and by 53 minutes they’d reduced the arrears. Colqhoun managed to save a Brannon O’Neill free kick but Will Hendon reacted quickest to the loose ball and fired home from a tight angle.
Sean O’Toole was introduced for the injured Korboa shortly before we probed forward on 58 minutes. Pigden was finally fouled 20 yards from goal but Summers’ placed effort cannoned back off a post.
The two sides were exchanging attacks now but both keepers were brave in amongst crowds of players at different times to keep the score at 2-1.
Summers was left frustrated again on 75 minutes after he ran clear on a Bradford flick-on, only for the linesman on the far side to belatedly raise his flag about 15 seconds after the pass was made.
And things got worse a minute later as Ben Pope performed an overhead kick on a lofted ball from 10 yards out and beat Colqhoun all ends up. The opportunism was to be applauded but the fact he was left free to do it didn’t impress our management team.
O’Toole and fellow sub Gary Elphick tangled 35 yards from the Worthing goal and earned themselves a booking each, while Summers tried his luck on the free kick but it kept rising and cleared the crossbar.
Our opponents were now on the front foot however and both Moraes and Downs made good blocks in our area with five minutes to go.
But, as the game entered stoppage time, a long ball out the Worthing defence had O’Neill running from deep and he got between Moraes and Penfold. Colqhoun came rushing out to the edge of his box to meet him, but O’Neill nodded the ball over the keeper and the pace of the ball beat Paris Hamilton-Downes, whom was trying to chase it down.
Next up: We travel Faversham Town on Tuesday 22nd September before it’s FA Cup on Saturday 26th September as East Thurrock United visit. We take on Molesey at home on Monday 28th September.
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