Worthing 1 – 0 Wealdstone

Worthing Website Match Report

Ramell Carter scored his first competitive goal for the club with a thumping effort on the stroke of half-time, with Gary Waddock’s Stones reduced to ten for the vast majority of the second half after Dylan Kadji was shown a second yellow card.

Making seven changes from the midweek side that saw defeat in the National League Cup, Adam Hinshelwood reverted to the same eleven which began the 2-1 home league loss to Forest Green Rovers a week ago.

Tuesday night’s goalscorer Remiero Moulton returned to the bench, with Razzaq Coleman De-Graft, Teddy Jenks, Dom Hutchinson and Carter forming the Reds’ attacking front.

Following a slight edge in possession through the opening exchanges, the Rebels’ first sight on goal would yield everything but the opener for the hosts with just over ten minutes on the clock.

A smart turn and clipped pass by Cory Adjetey-Brew sent Dom Hutchinson away down the left flank, with the recently-departed Stone breaking into the penalty area before driving a low effort against the foot of the post. On the rebound was Teddy Jenks whose strike was cleared off the line, before an eventual third attempt by Jack Wadham from the edge of the box was parried to safety by Dante Baptiste in the away net.

Having weathered the early Worthing pressure, Wealdstone began to make advances of their own. A flurry of set-pieces called Harrison Foulkes into action, with several deep deliveries into the area demanding assertive claims from the former Dorking Wanderers stopper.

Woodside Road held its breath in the 25th minute for the visitors’ best opening of the half when Aaron Henry’s direct free-kick was spilled by Foulkes into a dangerous area. However, captain Connor McAvoy’s follow-up was thwarted by a timely intervention from the shot-stopper before Jayden Moore hacked the ball out of play.

Growing cagier as the minutes progressed, the first half of action looked to be headed for a level conclusion if not for a goal out of nothing for the home side in the 44th minute. Quick thinking from a free-kick just inside the Wealdstone half sent Carter bearing down on goal on the right side of the box, with the Hull City loanee blasting home at Baptiste’s near left post to put the Rebels ahead at the interval.

Worthing’s task of defending their slender advantage was handed a major boost just over five minutes after the restart. A looping ball into the Reds half was contested in the air by Moore and Kadji, with the latter adjudged to have fouled the on-loan Southampton centre-back on his way up to meet the ball. Referee Tolu Sangowawa reached to his back pocket and brandished a yellow card swiftly followed by a red.

Hinshelwood’s side almost made quick use of their numerical advantage: an attacking phase landed the ball at the feet of Carter just outside the box, yet the forward’s stinging effort was tipped over the bar by the fingertips of Baptiste.

A clear holding offence from McAvoy presented Ricky Aguiar the opportunity to test the goalkeeper from a well-placed dead ball situation less than a quarter of an hour from time. The former Horsham midfielder fizzed an effort goalward which forced Baptiste to parry only as far as substitute Jose Marquez, however the striker could not keep his first-time effort from sailing over the bar.

Looking to capitalise on Wealdstone’s depleted defensive numbers, the home side had several chances to put the result beyond doubt with only minutes remaining.

Moments after coming onto the pitch, Ollie Godziemski cut onto his left foot inside the box before firing an effort passed the wrong side of the post. Soon after, a counter-attack spearheaded by Adjetey-Brew down the left side presented the fullback with an opening on the angle, forcing Baptiste into a strong save low to his left.

One goal would prove to be enough for the hosts in the end, with Carter’s finish before half-time securing the Reds’ second victory in three National League games to start the campaign.