FOOTBALL: Worthing striker Treleaven on going in goal

WORTHING Football Club striker Ross Treleaven hailed his side's defence as 'brilliant' after he kept a clean sheet as an emergency keeper at Godalming on Tuesday (December 9).

Regular keeper Alan Mansfield locked a knee in the pre-match warm-up, which led to Rebels joint boss Danny Bloor asking Treleaven to wear the gloves in Worthing's 1-0 win.

Treleaven, 21, who is dual-signed with Worthing and Eastbourne Borough, played in goal as a youngster, and said: "I played in goal when I was younger, and that was my position until I was about 12.

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"I then moved outfield but continued to play in goal for a Sunday team in Sevenoaks, Borough Green, so I've played in goal a bit.

"Danny Bloor knew I had played in goal, and in the warm-up said to me that Alan Mansfield had locked a knee and would I feel comfortable going in goal.

"I said yes because I wanted to do it for the team, and everyone has to do their bit. The whole team played well, and the defence were brilliant - I barely had a proper shot to save.

"They had a chance in the first half, which I blocked and that was my best save. Being a forward, you know how someone is going to shoot.

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I knew he would hit it low, so I closed him down and his shot hit my legs and ricocheted away.

"They also had a couple of shots in the second half, which went over."

Treleaven added: "Before the game, the defence and I had a chat about what's going to happen.

"The only thing I wasn't confident about was coming out for crosses and corners, so it was decided that I'd stay on the line for them.

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"And, instead of back passes, the defenders just put the ball out for throw-ins.

"They were brilliant, and made it very easy for me."

The victory increased Worthing's unbeaten run to 12 league games and Treleaven said: "Our form's really picked up since the beginning of the season.

"Last night was a really good win, especially against a side just a place below us.

"It was a really boggy pitch and looked like it would be a real battle, so it could easily have ended up being a draw.

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"But, at the moment, we're doing what we need to. In some games, we don't play well but we aren't losing, which is a sign of a decent team.

"When we play really well, we'll start to murder teams.

"The play-offs are a realistic target, but we're still looking at Kingstonian to see if they slip-up.

"They are going really well, but you never know what will happen if they have a bad run, and we have some good form."

Treleaven has hit three goals for Rebels this season, and said: "I've not set myself a goal target.

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"I hadn't had a bad injury before but did the ligaments in my ankle at the start of the season.

"It's taken a while to get fit because when you come back your ankle's not strong, and you're not sharp or match fit.

"But I'm feeling a lot better now, and will hopefully start scoring again."

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