Much-changed Worthing progress past Arundel

Reece Hallard celebrates scoring his first senior goal in Worthings win against Arundel on Tuesday. Picture: Marcus Hoare

An own goal by Jordan Dudas and a first senior goal for Reece Hallard sealed a 2-0 success over Arundel, who play two divisions lower in the Southern Combination League Premier Division.

Having made six changes from the team that beat Kempston Rovers on Saturday, Worthing joint manager Jon Meeney was pleased with how his young guns performed and said: “It was job done. We wanted to give opportunities to young players, we wanted to rest a few and manage the squad correctly.

“We went out to dominate the ball, possession and work Arundel both mentally and physically, which we did.

“We made a couple of tactical changes to get players in the game and that’s where the goals came from.”

The opening 45 minutes saw little goalmouth action, with Arundel keeper James Fernandes forced into a couple of saves.

First, Worthing’s Luke Brodie’s cross found the unmarked Harvey Sparks but he volleyed wide on seven minutes.

Ross Edwards’ rampaging run ended with him trying his luck, only for his strike to deflect off Dudas and strike the bar six minutes later.

Edwards was once again involved ten minutes before the break; he met Brannon O’Neill’s corner but his powerful header was parried away by Fernandes.

Jack Cook nearly handed Arundel an opener seven minutes after the break. His misplaced pass went to Dion Jarvis but his dipping effort went just wide.

The game came to life in the final 20 minutes as both teams looked to progress.

Worthing’s Will Hendon and Omar Bugiel linked well, with the former scooping over Fernandes, only for his effort to be cleared off the line by Jarvis.

Arundel’s resistance was finally broken 15 minutes from time when Sparks’ teasing cross was put into his own net by Dudas.

Arundel substitute Scott Tipper almost levelled a minute later. After Reece Hallard passed straight to him, Tipper’s lobbed effort struck a post and stayed out.

Hallard made up for that error with his first senior goal ten minutes from time. Brodie slotted the winger in and he then rounded Fernandes to slot home.

WORTHING: Fagan; Boiling, Cook, Edwards; Hendon, O’Neill, Hards, Sparks; Brodie, Bugiel, Newhouse. Subs: Heryet (Hards 55), Hallard (Newhouse 72), Schneider (Brodie 85), Belward.

n Goalkeeper Rikki Banks left Worthing late last week and Jack Fagan, who recently made his 100th appearance for the club, will take over as number one. Full story on www.worthingherald.co.uk

n Worthing’s under-18 team travel to Millwall for their FA Youth Cup first round tie on Monday. The game takes place at The Den, with a 7pm kick-off.

Tickets are £5 for adults and £1 for under-16s and will be available on the day from the Millwall ticket office.