Goal kings YM hit Worthing Utd for six

Two goals in quick succession from Liam Hunter and Kevin Burgess, early in the first period, provided the hosts with the perfect start, but it wasn’t until midway through the second half that Peter Buckland’s side really found their feet.

Brad Curtis and Nick Sullivan added a brace apiece in the final 20 minutes, although the score line could have reached double figures had the home side shown a little more composure in front of goal.

Manager Buckland said: “It wasn’t a vintage performance, but we kept at it. I couldn’t see them scoring, so at half time the worst scenario was going to be 2-0, unless we did anything disastrous.

“I said to the players that if we went out in the second half and really got at Worthing, then the game would drift away from them, and that’s what happened.”

Midfielder Hunter poked home from close range to give the hosts the lead after just 40 six seconds from Dave Brown’s pass.

An inswinging Curtis corner caused havoc in the area four minutes later, and Burgess was on hand to volley home at the far post to double YM’s advantage on five minutes.

YM Striker Sullivan then fired at the legs of Worthing stopper Steve Aufrey from stand-in keeper Simon Lockwood’s punt forward, before one of only two Mavericks’ shots on target saw Graham Martin’s tame shot parried wide.

Brown and Ash Dugdale had further first-half chances as YM went in 2-0 ahead.

After a somewhat disjointed first half showing YM sparked into life as both Dugdale and Hunter saw shots well saved. It was one-way traffic and after further chance YM finally added a third when Curtis firing in Brown’s cross.

A blocked Dan Evans shot then fell to Sullivan, who tapped in to make it 4-0 three minutes later, before Worthing’s misery was compounded with the sending off of central defender Lee Denyer.

Midfielder Curtis redeemed himself for a bad miss with another close range goal and there was just time for Sullivan to add his second of the afternoon in the dying seconds.

Assistant manager Paul Cooper said: “We had two good sessions in the week, working on some elements of play that we felt needed addressing, and the players put these into practice this afternoon.

And boss Buckland added: “This was the first of three home games, and this is our fortress down here, so we’ll be hoping for nine points.”

YM host newly promoted Newhaven on Saturday.

YM (4-3-3): Lockwood, D. Sullivan, Burgess, Crane (Day 73), Evans, Hunter, Dugdale (c), Hutchings (Cox 64), Curtis, Brown (Greig 78), N. Sullivan