Defensive lapses costs Rebels victory at Merstham

WORTHING Football Club boss Chris White blamed defensive frailties as Merstham hit a late leveller and twice came from behind to draw 3-3 with Rebels last Saturday.

An injury-time equaliser left Worthing travelling back from Kent with just a point, after Mike Huckett’s strike from a fine move six minutes from time, looked to have secured a Rebels victory.

White said: “There were missed chances in the first half, while their ‘keeper, who was the man of the match, made a number of fines saves in the second.

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“To score three goals away from home should be enough but it was our inability to defend, especially from corners, that has cost us.

“It is disappointing as we have been undone by two set-pieces and an individual error.

“Football-wise, we played well, started well, and missed two or three chances. They scored on about half an hour and were on top after that as we were at sixes and sevens.

“But we regrouped at half-time and dominated after the break.”

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Early chances went begging for Worthing before going one down after 30 minutes, as Tony Timms headed into his own net when trying to clear.

Five minutes into the second half, however, Worthing were level. A long John Lansdale throw was volleyed in at the back post by Tom Lawley.

Soon after, Merstham drew level as Luke Gedling missed a header, the ball wasn’t cleared and eventually the home side’s striker bundled home.

Terry Dodd restored Rebels’ lead as he headed home from Tom Manton’s cross, before Huckett finished the move of the match on 84 minutes.

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A move involving Lansdale, Ryan McBride, Manton and Dodd was finished by Huckett, in what was the goal White thought had sealed the win.

He said: “With five minutes to go we expected them to chuck everything and the kitchen sink at us, which they did. But we seemed to hold out well.

“Then in injury time we gave away a silly corner and failed to clear it.”

Despite the result, things are looking good for Rebels with McBride and Dan White coming off the bench, and Jamie Groves also returning.

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White, however, is unsure on the defender’s future due to work commitments.

He said: “Jamie’s got work issues and can’t make every game or training due to being in London.

“I don’t know what is going to happen in the long term with him. He had a decent game on Saturday, and I would love to have him always available.”

WORTHING: Hunter, Pulling, Beda, Timms, Groves; Lansdale, Huckett, Gedling, Lawley; Maton, Dodd. Subs: McBride (Pulling 60), White (Dodd 90), Townsend, Saunders, Charles.

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