Whyteleafe 0 Worthing 2
Ryman League Division 1 South
Saturday 5th April 2008
Whyteleafe lost to a Worthing side that looked much hungrier for the game, with victory making them favorites to take the last play off place after other results went in their favour.
The first half was a dull affair with little attacking from either side. Chris O'Flaherty had one or two good runs down the left, putting in some dangerous crosses, but with Joel Greaves fighting a lonely battle up front, no real chances were created. In fact both sides each had only one attempt at goal in the first half and both of those were way off target.
First of all for 'Leafe, Sam Clayton created a bit of space for himself on the edge of the box, but shot well wide. Ben Andrews, at the other end, had Worthing's only shot of the half at goal in the 45th minute but hit it high over the bar.
The second half started in more promising fashion and 'Leafe started to open up the visitors' defence. Clayton found Alhajie Jabbie in the 51st minute, but his shot was blocked, the ball came out to Joel Greaves whose goal-bound header was headed behind by Andy Alexander for a corner. O'Flaherty took the corner which was partially cleared to Callum Maclean whose fierce shot was blocked.
Andrews had a good chance in the 68th minute, heading just wide from a Ben Johnson free kick. Worthing took the lead in the 57th minute when a flick on from a Johnson corner found Alexander in the box. His header hit the bar but came back to him and he bundled it into the net from close range.
Greaves came close to an equaliser on the hour when his header was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Rikki Banks. A minute later Greaves was again close, tipping just over from an O'Flaherty cross.
Worthing made the game safe when they scored their second in the 80th minute, when Jamie Brotherton, who had a successful loan spell at 'Leafe earlier in the season, fired the ball home from a cross from Andrews. The home side's only chance in the closing stages came when Maclean had a free kick from 25 yards, but his shot was blocked.
Whyteleafe: Tolfrey, Jabbie, O'Flaherty, Causon (Rivers 84), Spencer, Broomhead, MacLean, Smith, Clayton, Greaves, Riley (Platel 69).
Clickables:
