In a first half dominated by the home side, Georgie Kelly gave the Cumbrians a half-time lead with a headed effort minutes before the break. The travelling Reds sprung into life in the second 45, with goals from Dom Hutchinson, Razzaq Coleman De-Graft and Ricky Aguiar propelling the visitors to ecstasy on opening day.
Adam Hinshelwood handed full debuts to five new signings from the off: Harrison Foulkes started in goal with the loanee pairing of Cory Adjetey-Brew and Jayden Moore ahead of him in defence. In the forward areas, Hutchinson and Ramell Carter both got the nod, while the midfield duo of Wadham and Aguiar both made their third debuts for the Club.
Having dominated possession through the opening exchanges, Carlisle’s first real foray into the Rebels box came in the 10th minute of play. A long ball into the left channel by Toby Mullarkey was touched down superbly by former Rebel David Ajiboye, who fed the ball infield for Regan Linney to blast a first-time effort over the bar.
Worthing acquitted themselves well defensively for large phases of the first half, with youngsters Moore and Adjetey-Brew both showing maturity in handling different pressured scenarios. However, the visitors’ few opportunities to venture into the Blues’ half failed to amount to anything worthwhile.
With Carlisle looking to turn the screw in the minutes leading up to the interval, the Rebels’ defensive stability showed signs of faltering as the first half came to an end as the hosts broke the deadlock with three minutes of normal time remaining.
Picking up an advanced position on the right flank, defender Harvey Bunker stood up a cross to the centre of the Worthing penalty area. With Foulkes rooted to the spot, Kelly nodded the ball across goal and into the side netting.
Only two minutes after the opener, Rob Elliot’s side were almost gifted a second. A misjudged back- pass by Jayden Moore allowed Linney the chance to drive goalward on the right-inside channel, with the former Altrincham striker crashing an effort against the woodwork at Foulkes’ near left post.
Worthing immediately found more joy in possession following the break, making more assured decisions in the final third to push Carlisle further back inside their own half.
In the 66 h minute, the Rebels made the most of their renewed attacking intent as Hutchinson made history by becoming the Club’s first goalscorer in the fifth tier of English football. A build-up of play down the left flank eventually saw the former Wealdstone man pick up the ball inside the box, twisting and turning before rifling an effort into Archie Mair’s top left corner.
Any hints of attacking indecision were soon dispelled with the Rebels taking the game into their own hands upon finding the equaliser, and in the 82nd minute, the travelling contingent were sent into euphoria.
A low free-kick delivery by Wadham from the right hand side wasn’t dealt with by the hosts backline, with Coleman De-Graft able to pick up possession just inside the box on the right. After holding off his marker, the winger shifted the ball onto his stronger left side before arching a curled effort beyond Mair and into the far corner.
Reeling in the aftermath of seeing their lead overturned, the hosts’ concentration began to fade heading into the final stages, with the Rebels taking full advantage. Pressing inside the Carlisle half, Aguiar pickpocketed his man before driving into the penalty area. After evading several challenges, the returning midfielder slotted the ball across the face of goal with a deft finish to give the visitors a two-goal advantage.
Carlisle managed to pull one back with regulation time close to expiring, Kelly getting his second of the game after miscommunication between Foulkes and his backline allowed a loose ball in the six- yard box to fall kindly to the former Harrogate Town man.
The Rebels dug in to see out the remaining waves of pressure from the Cumbrian outfit, securing a stunning comeback to claim their first ever three points in the National League.
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗