Mavericks Complete Double - Worthing United vs. Wick And Barnham United - Played At Shoreham FC

Main stand at Middle Road

After going to Goodwood on Saturday I was keen to see a game at a new ground on Bank Holiday Monday and The Sussex League Division Two Final between Worthing United and Wick and Barnham United at Shoreham proved ideal. The cup final pitched champions Worthing against third placed Wick and Barnham and so it promised to be a close game. And with four of the top five scorers in the division playing there was a good chance of goals. Both sides place in the top three meant they achieved promotion to The First Division for next season. I'd seen Worthing a couple of weekends ago at Midhurst and Easebourne in the league when they won 8-1. I had visited Worthing United's Robert Albon Memorial Ground for a Sussex League Division One match with Pagham a few years ago. I have also visited Wick and Barnham's Crabtree Park for a Division Two match with AFC Uckfield. 

Kick off in the 2014-15 final

Worthing United push on from the kick off and a cross from the byline is cut out by the Wick defence. Wick then are able to break out and win a corner which unfortunately doesn't beat the first man. They do better with a delivery into the box when a free kick from wide is headed towards goal but the head lacks the power to trouble the goalie. Worthing take the lead when the midfielder is allowed to run into the area and despite the keeper getting a strong hand to it the ball finds the back of the net. They double the lead when the forward is played in through the middle and despite the Wick defenders appealing for offside, he slots the ball home to make it two nil. Worthing get in again out wide but this time the shot is blocked for a corner. Towards the end of the half, the Worthing keeper gives the ball away from a free kick and the defender has to be strong to deny the forward a shot on goal. 

One nil to Worthing

Worthing are almost gifted a third early in the second half when they are let in via a miss kick but the ball is eventually scrambled away for a corner. Wick's first foray into the Worthing penalty area is a free kick which is overhit and beats everyone. Worthing's next chance comes when the winger is able to cut inside and his shot goes just over the bar. The Worthing forward is then allowed to turn in the area but the shot clips the top of the bar to the relief of the Wick defenders. Wick win a free kick on the edge of the area following a clumsy foul and the free kick is bent just over. Worthing have a decent chance to seal the game when they break from the half line but they take too long to get the ball in and have to settle for a corner. Both sides have chances in the final moments but none are taken and Worthing win the final two nil. 

Worthing attack in the second half

Shoreham is reached by trains from Victoria and the journey takes around an hour and forty minutes. Middle Lane is then a steady twenty minute walk away. Shoreham is a pleasant sea commuter town and it is worth walking through the town centre to the pebble beach. In the town centre there is The Crown And Anchor which provides a view of the river as well as BT Sports for the lunch time kick off. In between the ground and the town centre is the fantastic Duke Of Wellington which was having a beer festival but it looks like it has a brilliant selection of beers in general. The clubhouse has the usual selection of drinks and had a big projector screen. I can also recomend one of the burgers. Next to the station is The Crabtree Inn which is ideally situated for a pre train drink.     

Post foul shot of the dugout side of the ground