Former Forest Green Rovers midfielder Ted Jenks haunted his old team with just over 100 seconds on the clock as he headed in from close-range, but the introduction of substitute Josh Osude helped the visitors collect all three points – with the winger playing an instrumental part in two second-half goals.
Adam Hinshelwood named an unchanged starting eleven from last weekend’s 3-2 success away to Carlisle United, with the ineligible Jose Marquez the only absentee from the previous squad.
It was a dream start for the hosts as they broke the deadlock inside the opening two minutes. Arising from a lapse of concentration in midfield, Ricky Aguiar profited and displayed quick thinking to swiftly release Dom Hutchinson down the left flank. A burst of pace allowed the former Wealdstone man to latch onto the ball before firing a cross towards the centre of the box.
Ramell Carter’s attempt was heroically pushed onto the crossbar from point-blank range by Rovers goalkeeper Ethan Ross, but a flat-footed defence couldn’t prevent Jenks from bursting through and nodding into the back of net. The visitors looked shellshocked – they couldn’t fathom what had hit them.
Determined to make amends for their slow start, the team hailing from Gloucestershire aimed to bounce back immediately. Harrison Foulkes was called into action five minutes after going in front, with a miraculous stop from six-yards out to prevent an almost instant leveller.
Carter was enjoying space in behind the defence and the Hull City loanee forced Ross into another smart stop low to his right hand side after being released by Jenks minutes later.
The hosts then thought their advantage had been doubled inside a quarter of an hour as Razzaq Coleman De-Graft thundered a well-struck volley into the roof of the net following a corner. Unfortunately for Worthing, the linesman’s flag was raised – signalling an alleged infringement in a sea of bodies.
Forest Green looked vulnerable from set-piece situations, particularly at the back post. Another golden opportunity went begging following another smartly executed routine, with Joe Cook getting his header all wrong with 25 minutes on the clock. Unmarked from six yards out, the defender’s contact was misdirected comfortably wide.
Growing into the contest, the away side attempted a couple of speculative efforts from distance with James Berry-McNally and Jayden Clarke firing off target.
Worthing’s lack of decisiveness in forward areas was highlighted again before the break, as a goal-mouth scramble inexplicably didn’t yield a second goal. Ross thwarted Cook prior to Jenks’ prodded attempt being cleared on the goal-line. Forest Green failed to completely clear their lines, resulting in a Coleman De-Graft header bouncing on top off the net. Frustration grew around the ground with a sense their beloved team would rue these missed chances.
More strong reflexes from Foulkes prevented the visitors from restoring parity ahead of the half-time whistle, with Tate Campbell’s close-range effort palmed over the crossbar.
Two alterations at the break proved Savage’s frustrations at his players lack of application and two more ensued 10 minutes later.
Between the substitutions, a bizarre passage of play left Carter looking to the sky with angst. Once again, Jenks looked to find the teenager, but it appeared that the forward had mistimed his run and strayed offside. Everyone inside the stadium was expecting the flag to be raised, but it never was and Carter hurriedly snatched at his finish as a result -despite having an abundance of time and space.
A reprieve for the visitors, who would capitalise. One of the four players brought off the bench – Osude – completely transformed the opposition attack and caused several issues for the backline with his blistering pace and unwavering endeavour.
Through those traits, the chaotic winger created the equaliser out of thin air. As Foulkes looked to launch the ball upfield, Osude appeared out of nowhere to close the clearance down and then had the simple task of tapping into the empty net before wheeling off to celebrate in front of the away dugout. Masters of their own downfall, the Reds didn’t recover from that error.
A tiring home side struggled to deal with the athleticism and power their counterparts possessed and began to lose duels and throw possession away carelessly. Numerous times down the left, Osude’s speed was utilised to devastating effect, resulting in multiple corners and half-chances. Campbell missed the target after a brisk turn, before Foulkes held his ground firmly and was equal to FGR skipper Kyle McAllister’s shot.
With less than a quarter of an hour to go, Hinshelwood brought on three new faces off the bench, but Sam Packham, Ollie Godziemski and Remiero Moulton couldn’t turn the tide in their side’s favour despite competing well.
It would be Forest Green Rovers’ day in West Sussex, as former Merthyr Town forward Ricardo Rees bundled in an effort in the closing stages.
Osude was the architect again as he bypassed Joel Colbran and fed the Welshman, who deftly prodded in a decisive second to complete the turn around with five minutes of regulation time to play.
Summing up their entire second half, a late cross in the middle from Moulton towards Wiktor Makowski was overhit and the 23-year-old couldn’t divert goalwards.
A jubilant away end celebrated a successive win to start the National League campaign, while the Rebels licked their wounds.
Adam Hinshelwood and his players now have two more home matches to put things right, starting with the beginning of their National League Cup exploits against West Ham United U21s on Tuesday night.
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗