This morning, the Worthing Whites traveled to Ringmer FC for the SCFL Walking Cup Finals day.
In the Over 50s semi-final, we were drawn against the East Sussex division high-flyers, Hastings United. The Whites dominated the early exchanges and went one up through Ricky Dumbrell: 1-0. Hastings then upped their game, but the Whites were still creating some good chances that they didn't convert. A quick free kick by Hastings resulted in an equalizer when the rebound from a great Matthew Pettman save fell kindly to a Hastings forward, who fired home: 1-1.
The Whites still had the lion's share of possession after the restart. However, Matt Pettman was called on and produced a couple of good saves to keep Hastings at bay. Then, from a Hastings corner, a clearance from Guy Whitehead traveled upfield for Andy Burch, who calmly slotted the ball home to give the Whites a well-deserved victory: 2-1 and a place in the final.
THE FINAL
The Whites faced Shoreham, who had defeated Old Varndenians in their semi-final 4-1. It was a nip-and-tuck first 10 minutes in what turned out to be a very much stop-start match, with very few opportunities being fashioned by both teams. However, Shoreham took the lead when Mark Burt found space and fired in: 0-1. That's how it was at halftime.
The Whites started the second half with more intensity, which resulted in Steve Kennedy playing a quick one-two and grabbing a well-deserved equalizer off both posts and the keeper's face: 1-1. Shoreham then had a player sent off, which gave the Whites the initiative. However, Shoreham worked the ball well, and a break upfield found them with a man at the far post on his own, and he scored into the corner: 1-2. The Whites created several more chances, with Neil Flockton and Guy Whitehead going close.
However, Shoreham managed the game well and ran the clock down for the win. A great team effort by the Whites, who did themselves and the club proud. A big shout-out to Dave Oliver, who stepped up in Richard Gander's absence to manage the team.
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