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Two weeks from the start of
the season, this was a match Pete Edwards will
probably wish hadn't happened. To face a side
from a higher league at this point is a tough
task at the best of times, but to do so without
seven first choice players is courting disaster.
This wasn't a disaster of
course, but it has hardly added to anyones
confidence, and it is probably best forgotten.
That it took place to a soundtrack of Zumba
music from the nearby Lark In The Park event,
and then Whitney Houston belting out "I Will Always
Love You", added insult to injury.
Edwards has never been a fan
of friendlies, and this match showed why. With a
number of players away on holiday, watching
other friendlies, or injured, he was forced to
field an experimental line up with Tom Levitt
alone up front ahead of a packed midfield.
Worthing have strengthened considerably over the
summer, and included Darren Budd, who played
against Peacehaven the previous Saturday for
Whitehawk.
The official opening of the
club's new stand took place before kick off, but
it was the openings in Peacehaven's defence
which will have concerned Edwards. Jamie
Brotherton was having a field day on the right,
and with Budd dominant in midfield Worthing had
established an early grip on the match. They
took the lead when Brotherton cut inside and
fired a well placed drive past Jake Buss.
Brotherton then added a second
after linking up well with Ryan McBride.
Meanwhile, Levitt was isolated up front, and
Peacehaven were unable to get enough controlled
possession to play him into the match. The
introduction of Andy Wilkinson briefly revived
Peacehaven, as he linked up well with Carl Dunk
to head 'Haven back into the contest just before
half time.
Worthing re-established their
dominance after half time, with Brotherton
completing his hat trick and Tom Lawley adding a
fourth. At that point Chris White substituted
half his team, indicating that he was satisfied
with his afternoon's work.
That was more than could be
said for Edwards who was seething on the
touchline. His mood was lifted slightly by Dunk
setting up a second goal for Levitt, but he was
a frustrated figure at the end. Ultimately the
result of this match is of no importance, but
there will need to be a considerable improvement
in the coming fortnight, when results will
seriously start to count.
Peacehaven:- Buss, B
Bowra, Gunn, Saunders, Hill (Wilkinson), O'Toole
(Snell), Marshall (S Bowra), Millis (Cullinane),
Tyler (Wiltshire), Dunk, Levitt |
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