Two goals in the space of four stoppage-time minutes for the hosts, including a 98th minute winner, handed Tamworth their first three points of the season.
Jack Wadham’s unstoppable drive from 30 yards out was cancelled out by Dan Creaney’s second-half header before Jose Marquez restored the Rebels’ lead by finishing a flowing team move.
Wadham was then sent off in the almost immediate aftermath of Marquez’s strike for a second bookable offence and Dom Hutchinson also saw red after deliberately handling the ball on the goal-line in the dying embers.
Nathan Tshikuna converted the spot-kick before fellow substitute Morgan Roberts bundled in a late winner to break Worthing hearts.
The Reds made a solitary change for last weekend’s victory over Wealdstone, as Taylor Seymour replaced the injured Harrison Foulkes in between the sticks.
Contrasting styles was the theme in the opening exchanges, as the visitors looked to carve their opponents open with incisive combinations, while Tamworth opted for a direct approach towards the box at every possible opportunity – whether that was from a throw-in, free-kick or in open play.
For the hosts, Jordan Cullinane-Liburd headed over from an early corner, while Hutchinson’s effort was blocked following a flowing move down the right side from the Mackerel Men.
The imperious Haydn Hollis provided an aerial threat for the hosts and saw his header land on the roof of the net shortly after firing a volley into the body of Jayden Moore.
Before the first quarter of an hour had elapsed, Ramell Carter breezed past a Tamworth defender and reversed a shot that travelled marginally wide of Rhys Lovett’s post.
Andy Peaks’ Lambs continued to impose themselves and latch onto loose balls, with captain Ben Milnes’ deflected strike causing Seymour to ensure his angles were covered.
Teddy Jenks then connected with Joel Colbran’s cross and nodded just over the frame of the goal either side of two speculative attempts from full-back Luke Fairlamb that soared off target.
From out of nothing, Worthing had the frame of the goal to thank to ensure the scores stayed level. Wadham’s perfectly-executed sliding challenge inadvertently released Kieran Donnelly through on goal. The former Kidderminster Harriers forward fashioned a toe-poke that bounced off the base of the upright and to safety.
Football’s a game of fine margins and minutes later Worthing hit the front in stunning style. After being teed up by Jenks, Wadham’s powerful drive arrowed into the bottom corner of Lovett’s net from 30 yards out to give the travelling Reds something to protect heading into the second period.
Their advantage was short-lived though. Shortly after Milnes’ clever free-kick was parried behind by Seymour, the Lambs’ set-piece taker curled an inviting delivery onto the head of Dan Creaney, who made no mistake with his header eight minutes into the second half.
Adam Hinshelwood’s outfit then weathered a Staffordshire storm to prevent their opponents from turning the game on its head. Former Worthing defender Joe Rye’s volley flew through a sea of bodies and was dealt with by Seymour, while a few tactical fouls halted the Lambs’ momentum.
Up the other end, Jenks almost emulated Wadham’s magic, with his scorching shot moving at a rate of knots, but it was just missing the required accuracy.
The warning sign wasn’t heeded by Tamworth and Jenks turned provider again to set-up a second Reds goal. Cutting through with ease, the former Forest Green Rovers man fed the unmarked Marquez in the middle, who swept home a gorgeous goal to open his account for his loan club. Wheeling off to celebrate with the travelling support, no one could anticipate the drama that would unfold.
Still buzzing off the high of going back in the driving seat, a lapse of judgement from Wadham saw the midfielder commit a foul in the middle of the park, which warranted a second yellow card, equalling a red. With 15 minutes to go, the Rebels had a mammoth task on their hands.
For the remainder of regulation time and half of seven added minutes, each remaining player on the pitch valiantly defended their penalty box. Substitutes Harry Ransom, Owen Spicer and Sam Packham provided additional defensive support, with Joe Cook and Jayden Moore throwing themselves into every cross and long ball chucked towards them.
Disaster struck in minute 94, with chaos ensuing on the goal-line. A set-piece resulted in Seymour palming the ball onto the post and the rebound fell to one of several Tamworth shirts as they flooded the box in desperate search of an equaliser.
On the goal-line, Hutchinson instinctually made his body as big as possible to block the attempt, with the ball ricocheting off his elbow – resulting in a second red card for the visitors and a spot-kick for the hosts.
Nathan Tshikuna sent Seymour the wrong way from 12 yards to stage a grandstand finish in Staffordshire.
Unfortunately for Worthing, their misfortune didn’t subside there. With Cook off the pitch after receiving treatment, Tamworth completely outnumbered their counterparts, who had just seven outfield players to defend an umpteenth Tamworth free-kick.
Another goal-mouth scramble followed. Seymour produced a heroic save again to divert a shot onto the woodwork, but the ball was destined to remain a matter of yards from the goal-line. Bouncing around the six-yard box, Morgan Roberts was the Tamworth player to rifle a finish into the net to snatch their first three points of the season.
A bitter pill to swallow for the Reds, who deserved so much more than a 3-2 defeat. A quick turnaround sees the Rebels return to home soil on Monday, as they take on Boreham Wood at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗