Agutter’s team hand Worthing first league defeat in 11 games
Worthing tasted defeat in the Enterprise National League for the first time since August as Sutton United prevailed to claim a 3-0 victory at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
A goal from former Rebels striker Temi Babalola, an own goal by Jayden Moore and Charlie Carter’s penalty put the hosts at the base of an incredibly steep mountain, which they were unable to overcome in the second period against ex-boss Chris Agutter’s team.
After a productive display during midweek off the bench, Jordan Young was restored to the starting XI and was joined by Charley Kendall in attack, with Jack Wadham returning to the side to face his former team in place of Charlie Waller.
From the first whistle, Sutton’s game plan was evident. The frontline looked to suffocate Adam Hinshelwood’s side in possession, with plenty of full-blooded challenges flying in to disrupt any sort of momentum. Indeed, by the time referee Harry Wager had blown for half-time, the Amber Army already had four players on a yellow card.
The tone was set in the early proceedings as Babalola was booked for a late challenge and Joel Colbran caught Carter late by the dugouts, sparking a brief melee between the players.
Agutter’s team were gaining plenty of territory and took a route one approach to find their first of three goals in the opening 45.
Possessing an enormous throw-in technique, Dan Urpens hurled the ball into the middle and with a congested box and a hideous glare from the sun in their eyes, Worthing failed to deal with the danger. Moore was the unfortunate man to turn the ball into his own net as the Southampton loanee’s header was misdirected beyond Seymour.
Worthing’s afternoon went from bad to worse just over five minutes later as Babalola came back to haunt his former employers. The lively Brandon Njoku profited after Joe Cook had lost flight of a pass upfield – teeing up the imposing striker, whose sweeping finish into the top corner was executed in a devastating manner.
An abject 12-minute spell was rounded off just after the half hour mark as Sutton scored their third. Neither Cook nor Moore took control of another long ball which allowed Njoku to anticipate the situation and punish the Reds again, as he won a penalty. Seymour tried to push the ball away from safety, but could only foul the forward and leave the referee to point to the penalty spot.
The Sussex Cat couldn’t atone for his error, as Carter kept his composure to send his penalty down the middle to cause the away end to burst into raptures.
It took until the latter stages of the first period for the hosts to muster a response, as sustained possession culminated with Cory Adjetey-Brew firing straight at Spike Brits.
Despite plenty of intent from the Mackerel Men after the restart, the scoreline remained 3-0 for the remainder of the tussle.
Razzaq Coleman De-Graft’s dipping shot from long range had the beating of Brits but landed on the roof of the net, while substitutes Emmerson Sutton and Daniel Isichei combined well, only for the latter to sidefoot a shot wide.
QPR loanee Sutton came closest to notching a consolation, with his powerful strike deviating through the air and crashing off the post.
Ultimately, it was a disappointing afternoon to end Worthing’s ten-game unbeaten run in the National League. They now have a break from league action before travelling to Scunthorpe United on November 14.