Goals from Razzaq Coleman De-Graft and Cory Adjetey-Brew in the second period overturned the hosts’ advantage that they built in the first half courtesy of Ben Crompton’s close-range finish in the 43rd minute.
From last weekend’s Emirates FA Cup exit to Wealdstone, Adam Hinshelwood made a pair of changes with Dom Hutchinson and Harvey Griffiths swapped for Charley Kendall and Ashley Nathaniel-George.
Amidst blustery conditions at Kidderminster’s Aggborough Stadium, the first 20 minutes could be described as a tense affair. Despite having the lion share of possession, Paul Wotton’s side didn’t carve any meaningful opportunities with David Davis’ effort from distance following a set-piece blocked by the Reds defence.
The visiting Reds mustered their first attempt on goal 17 minutes in as Adjetey-Brew delivered a corner to the edge of the box, where Ricky Aguair’s strike from range bounced off a Kidderminster body.
Midway through the half, the most presentable chance for either side fell to Charley Kendall. Turning away from his marker, the former Southend United forward couldn’t strike with conviction on his weaker left foot and allowed Jack Wint to dive to his left and gather the ball.
Straight down the other end, the hosts came even closer to breaking the deadlock through Lewis Walker. A moment of indecision from Seymour presented Walker with possession inside the 18-yard box and, with the goalkeeper stranded, the Kidderminster number nine slotted a finish underneath his body. Unfortunately for Walker and the hosts, Jayden Moore anticipated the situation with wisdom beyond his tender years to crucially clear on the goal-line, the first of several key defensive actions from the Southampton loanee.
Seymour’s outstretched leg then denied Crompton before Walker’s slip helped his shot from distance over the crossbar.
The Kidderminster pressure continued to mount as Callum Stewart burst past his defender before dragging a shot marginally wide moments before they took the lead.
Just before the break, the Harriers found the breakthrough they had been searching for. The second phase of a set-piece wasn’t dealt with properly and Crompton’s leg emerged through a sea of bodies to stab the ball into the back of the net.
It almost went from bad to worse for Worthing, as Zak Brown beared down on goal as part of a brisk counter-attack in additional time. However, his finish was rushed and Seymour’s palms kept the deficit at just one heading into half-time.
Griffiths was introduced at the interval for the injured Jack Wadham and the recent recruit instilled some bite and tenacity into the midfield on the way to a comeback victory
The outcome of the match could’ve been very different though if Stewart managed to convert his gilt-edged opportunity two minutes after the restart. His connection from Walker’s cross fell agonisingly wide of the post.
The Rebels were much-improved in the moments following Stewart’s miss and got their reward minutes prior to the hour mark.
Joel Colbran’s clever throw-in picked out Coleman De-Graft, who cleverly created space using his guile and trickery. Twisting and turning, the 28-year-old unleashed a drive that travelled through the legs of the defender and deceived Wint in the net. Despite getting two hands to the ball, the Manchester City loanee couldn’t keep it out to hand Coleman De-Graft his seventh league goal of the campaign.
Again, Kidderminster produced chances to breach Seymour’s net for the second occasion, but the Sussex Cat was equal to everything thrown in his direction. Stewart’s attempt to catch the goalkeeper out at his near post was shut down in uncompromising fashion.
Another decisive substitution was then made by Hinshelwood, with Dominic Johnson-Fisher replacing Charley Kendall. An inspired change – our number nine would end up providing the winner.
Not before Seymour conjured up further heroics in the opposition penalty area as he bravely spread himself to thwart Walker after the ball had fortuitously fell at his feet from a deep free-kick.
The importance of that save was swiftly vindicated by Cory Adjetey-Brew’s winning goal seconds later that put Worthing in front.
Using his blistering pace, Johnson-Fisher left Richard Faakye in his dust down the right flank before sending a perfect low cross towards the run of the teenage wonderkid. Using his momentum, the 18-year-old smashed the pass into the top corner of Wint’s goal before wildly wheeling off to celebrate his third goal in two league matches.
Nathaniel-George’s tame effort quashed an opening for Worthing to net their third prior to arguably Seymour’s greatest stop of the encounter. Throwing his body across his goal, the revered shot-stopper palmed away Stewart’s shot for the umpteenth time of the evening to keep his side in the driving seat.
Johnson-Fisher the n came inches away from opening his account for the Club as his thunderous attempt from a tight angle bounced off the upright in the closing stages.
The Reds weathered a late storm on the pitch to spark superb scenes in the corner of the ground where the 169 away fans congregated – as they celebrated a third successive league win.
Another positive result in the league sends the Rebels into fourth in the National League standings, with an enticing meeting with third placed Southend United to relish on Tuesday night at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗