Sam Packham was the only player for either side who failed to convert his spot-kick, with five perfect Norwich City penalties enough to win 5-4 in the shootout to double their points return for the evening.
Despite the disappointing end to the night, there was still plenty of positives to take into a double header at home in the National League, which included three debuts and more minutes for academy prospects.
Rotation was implemented but Adam Hinshelwood still named a strong squad to take on the Canaries at Woodside Road. There was place in the starting eleven for all three new signings as permanent transfers Jordan Young and Charley Kendall lined up in the forward areas with MK Dons loanee Charlie Waller being deployed at left-back. Fellow loanee Harvey Boddy was also handed a spot in the middle of the park on his 18th birthday.
An uneventful opening quarter produced half chances for both sides. Searching to make an instant impression to his new supporters, the lively Jordan Young’s clipped cross found birthday boy Boddy, whose well-struck attempt was blocked smartly by Adelusi.
It was then Harry Ransom’s turn to throw his body in the way of projectiles, as he bravely thwarted Toby Chilvers on two occasions.
The highly-rated Elliot Myles who has featured in the Championship for the senior side then carried possession past three opposing defenders and tried to pick out Fin Corke in the centre, with the tall striker unable to connect on the stretch.
Charley Kendall registered the first shot on target of the contest from an acute angle midway through the first period following a quickly taken free-kick from Ricky Aguiar. Vicente Reyes covered his near post appropriately to prevent Kendall from marking his debut with a goal.
Strike partner Jose Marquez was making a nuisance of himself and had an appeal for a red card to Theo Adelusi for denial of a goalscoring opportunity waved away by referee Adam Merchant.
Minutes later, the number 21 then had a claim for a spot-kick fall on unbothered ears, as he fell over in the 18-yard box after slight contact from the visiting shot-stopper.
The flurry of Worthing openings continued during a relentless spell, with Packham’s clipped cross attacked by Ashley Nathaniel-George at the back post. However, the 31-year-old didn’t connect cleanly and the ball bounced into the grateful Reyes’ gloves.
Young almost announced himself to the home faithful in spectacular fashion just after the half hour mark, with his swerving effort ricocheting off a combination of Reyes’ right hand and the upright. Not a goal, but a sign of things to come in a Red shirt from the recent acquisition.
The former Torquay United winger was instrumental in the next two chances, with his teasing cross forcing Sonny Rowland to clear off the goal-line with Kendall in close attendance prior to firing a 25-yard free-kick into the side-netting, with a portion of the Woodside momentarily believing it had rippled the back of the net.
Heading into half-time, the Rebels had created a strong foundation from the first half action to build upon in the second period.
Wiktor Makowski’s introduction at the interval retained the same intensity Marquez was imposing on the opposition as Worthing continued on the front foot.
The two new offensive signings almost cooperated to great effect early on after the restart with Young’s perfectly-weighted pass releasing Kendall. With Reyes caught in no man’s land, the striker rounded the ‘keeper, but couldn’t sort his feet out in time to squeeze the ball past multiple backtracking defenders.
Worthing were dominating possession, yet Norwich still posed a threat on the break and Seymour was called into action to smartly parry Myles’ curling strike out for a corner.
Norwich’s talisman was enjoying a fruitful period and jinked his way past two defenders before being denied by the ‘Sussex Cat’ once more at the near post.
On the hour mark, the creativity of Packham crafted an gilt-edged opportunity for Young, who bided his time and attempted to chip the onrushing Reyes. Lacking the correct amount of loft, Reyes palmed the finish out of harm’s way. The hosts were generating a commendable volume of openings, but were just lacking that final touch.
Makowski’s dazzling cameo was only missing a goal and the Polish forward came agonisingly close to opening his account for the season. Embarking on a mesmerising solo run, the number nine burst past several yellow shirts and saw his side-footed effort saved by Reyes.
Multiple alterations disrupted the flow of the final quarter of an hour, with Young curling over and Norwich’s Luke Towler striking a speculative effort narrowly over the crossbar.The contest fizzled out as the match edged towards a penalty shootout showdown, with an extra point up for grabs. Packham took the responsibility of stepping up first, but Reyes telegraphed his spot-kick and prevented it from breaching his net. That save ended up proving decisive, with that being the only kick from 12 yards that didn’t go in. Ollie Godziemski, Wiktor Makowski, Ashley Nathaniel-George and Jayden Moore all netted with aplomb, but there was nothing Seymour could do as Norwich converted five perfect penalties to prevail.
The Reds are back on home turf on Saturday as they host former League Two outfit Barrow at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium (12:30pm KO).
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗