Rustington held to draw at United

Speaking afterwards, Worthing United boss Dominic Di Paola admitted: “We were lucky to get a draw. It was a poor game and they were arguably the better side. We had too many players below par.”

That was a fair assessment of this game and the result would probably have been 0-0 had they played well into Sunday morning.

Rustington did shade it, though, having had a period of 15 minutes before half-time when they could have gone ahead had it not been for a good save from Steve Phillips and the aid of the upright. A tally of just 13 goals in 13 league games says it all for the Blues.

It was a defence-dominated game with two sides renowned for their passing ability, and this was part of the problem. Rustington tried to pass the ball into the net and United tried to find that defence-splitting pass so often seen on satellite television.

United’s only real attempt on goal was as early as the 15th minute when Andy McCarthy had to tip a Joe Shelley header over the bar, in a safe rather than sorry fashion.

The best chances fell to the visitors, who had six genuine attempts on goal in the final quarter of an hour of the first period. Matt Huckett’s drive from the edge of the area was deflected wide and then James Bennett hit the post from the resultant corner.

Huckett had another chance blocked in the six-yard box and a Chris Darwin free-kick was punched to safety by United’s stopper.

Phillips came to his side’s rescue again when he produced a great save to tip Huckett’s volley over the bar, and then thwart Ross Adams as he was bearing down on goal.

The second half did see the home side defend resolutely but the lack of any quality on the final ball made their lives easier. United’s players consistently tried intricate passes with the outside of the boot that were easily dealt with by the Rustington back line.

Blues manager Brett Torode was pleased with his side’s performance and said: “They never really troubled us and we should have scored a couple.

“We’re lacking a little bit of confidence at the moment, but we seem to have sorted the defensive side of our game and the goals will come for us eventually.

“We just need one big win and I think the tide will turn.”

Blues travel to Loxwood in the John O’Hara Cup second round on Saturday.

RUSTINGTON: McCarthy; Bennett, Neal, Wimbleton, Green; Jones, Bibb, Clayton, Darwin; Adams, Huckett. Subs: Withers (Clayton 51), Robertshaw (Darwin 90), O’Connor.