CROYDON ATHLETIC 0 WORTHING 1

FA Cup 1st Round Qualifying

The Rams crashed out of the FA Cup to a solitary goal at the hands of a hardworking Worthing side at the KT Stadium.

It started well for the home side though, with Tom Bolarinwa’s diving header in the second minute of the game, which was saved well by the Worthing keeper.

Another chance for the Rams saw Ben Godfrey slot a lovely ball through to Scott Forrester, but his strike was again saved by the keeper.

At the other end of the pitch Ben Johnson saw his long range shot go wide, and an attempt by Jamie Brotherton was kept out easily by Ross Flitney.

Forrester came close again for the Rams, turning in the box and shooting from a sharp angle which the keeper got his fingers to tip wide.

As the second half began, it was Worthing that came out fighting and a goal attempt came off Justin Gregory on the line but fell to Paul Kennett who made no mistake in putting the visitors 1-0 up in the 47th.

The Rebels now had their tails up and looked sharper, while the Rams were struggling to keep in the game despite some impressive defending by Jeremy Williams and Richard Blackwell in the centre of the defence.

Danny Waldren, coming on from the subs bench, had a great free kick which was struck from 30 yards and went just wide of the target.

Towards the end of the game Joe Howe sprinted upfield and his cross found Goma Lambu but he was unable to finish and the Rams were unable to get on the scoresheet.

Worthing continued to close down the Croydon attack, and their persistence paid off as the match drew to a close and they were able to celebrate reaching the next round of the FA Cup.

Croydon Athletic: Ross Flitney, Joe Howe, Justin Gregory, Chris Piper (Danny Waldren, 70), Richard Blackwell, Jeremy Williams, Tom Bolarinwa, Karl Murray, Scott Forrester, Ben Godfrey (Gary Noel, 52), Chris O’Flaherty (Goma Lambu, 62) Subs not used: Dan Moody, Adam Peck, Bradley Duke, Jon Munday.