Drawn in the more difficult group of a tournament including three National League teams they had not faced before, Worthing met one of those, Ealing, and thrashed them 7-1. They then totally outclassed The Army 16-2 in the semi-final and outshone another of the National League teams, Invicta Marlins, 5-2 in the final.

The Worthing squad seek out this fixture because of the coveted facilities and the often unfamiliar opposition. Despite the fact that they were some way short of full strength, their 10-4 victory over a strong Basingstoke got them rolling as their counter-attacking speed and the centre-forward play of Matt White and Ed Holden gave them control in the second half. The score was perfectly halved, 5-2, at the interval.

Ealing were physical but indisciplined and their attempts to contain White and Holden got them into exclusion trouble through fouls, and Worthing capitalised.

The Army were runners-up in the opposing group and, as well as struggling to hold Worthing's all-round play, they suffered at the hands of Worthing's press and many goals resulted from the turnovers. Rotation of the squad rested some Worthing players in readiness for the final, which proved an exciting climax.

The talented Marlins had emerged from a group including National League team Weymouth and Portland. Invicta scored first but Worthing fought back to lead 2-1 by the interval. Then three more strikes made it five unanswered goals until a late Marlins reply. However, this time, the Worthing defence was tested. Keeper Ben Alcorn produced some fine saves and Paul Philpott's marking of the opposition centre-forward was vital in reducing Marlins' shooting opportunities.

WORTHING squad (goals): Paul Philpott (1), Ed Holden (5), Richard Hooper (5), Matt White (12), Jon Gray, Ben Alcorn gk, Scott Martin (8), Stuart Stirling (1), Rob Osborne, Nathan Hart, Sam Abbott.
Exclusions: Hooper 3, Martin 2, Holden, Hart, Gray, Philpott.

Workmanlike was all the team needed to be at home to enthusiastic Hastings last week (July 16) when Worthing continued the defence of their Sussex Senior League title. They won 26-5 and ended the contest during the opening quarter, which they won 7-3.

Comical defending in the opening seconds handed Hastings the incentive of a goal start but Worthing were soon on top and their defence created many problems for the Hastings attack that repeatedly fell victim to the 30-seconds shot clock.

Because Ben Alcorn was unwell, Worthing had three goalkeepers taking a turn but, even so, the conclusion was soon foregone and 12 of their 13 players scored - many of the goals the simple conclusion to overwhelming team play.

WORTHING squad (goals): White (9), Holden (6), Ziggy Tate (2), Elliot Ellison (1), Hooper (1), Stirling (1), Adrian Irbe (1), Scott Orchard (1), Martin (1), Gray (1), Osborne (1), Philpott (1), Hart.
Exclusions: Osborne 2, Stirling, Orchard, Gray, Holden.


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