The returning Remiero Moulton’s 27th-minute piledriver meant that the Rebels led at half-time, but continued pressure from Mark Robson’s men meant that West Ham would eventually prevail thanks to goals from Ryan Battrum and Josh Landers.
There were plenty of changes in Adam Hinshelwood’s starting eleven compared to the group who succumbed to defeat against Forest Green Rovers the prior weekend.
Taylor Seymour, Harry Ransom and Sam Packham all entered the frame, as well as a completely fresh front four of Ollie Godziemski, Remiero Moulton, Wiktor Makowski, and Jose Marquez.
The Reds were quickest out of the traps, with a pair of early chances falling into their path. Making his first start for the club since our penultimate match of our title-winning season away at Maidstone United, Moulton saw a cross headed away by Callum Leacock
Marquez then drew an early foul in a perilous position, but Jack Wadham’s resulting set-piece was flashed wide by Joe Cook.
The visitors were next to take a stab at net. Skipper Junior Robinson sent a ball soaring into the box, which eventually connected with Battram’s head; however, the glancing effort failed to meet the target and was deemed offside.
Packham had the crowd applauding after a trademark ball that drifted over the Irons’ backline like a feather. Colbran was the man to meet it, but his side-footed pass did not come to fruition.
Godziemski was the next Rebel to test the Hammers’ fortification. The 20-year-old burst down the right flank and drilled the ball into the box, only for Moulton’s shot to be blocked directly by a West Ham leg.
Seymour was forced to make his first save of the game halfway through the first 45, stretching his legs vastly to save Preston Fearon’s strike after it had been worked to his feet from a corner.
A minute later, the East London side almost scored again, Hargan’s free-kick hurtled past the left post and a diving Seymour before crashing off the advertising board.
It was a sprinkle of Moulton magic which finally put Worthing in front. Ransom’s threaded long ball caught West Ham off guard, and Marquez impressively managed to fight off pressing opponents to nod it down to his teammate.
Up stepped the Watford loanee, who thundered home a volley from inside the D, much to the West Ham goalkeeper’s surprise.
The National League Cup debutants continued to prove their mettle against last year’s finalists. Makowski stumbled in the box upon contact from a Packham through ball, but the referee turned away instantly, uninterested in any penalty shouts.
Ransom was called into a final piece of heroic defending before the half-time whistle, blocking a Josh Landers strike from point-blank range to maintain his clean sheet.
As the sky darkened and the second half began, Hinshelwood made four changes at the break to rest those who were playing their third half of football in as many days.
Harvey Boddy, Jayden Moore, Callum Beck, and Owen Spicer all entered the field, and replaced Colbran, Wadham, Cook, and Adjetey-Brew.
Moulton continued to be the orchestrator, pulling the strings as he stole a ball from the vistors’ defence merely outside the box, but his cutback was firmly blocked.
The exhilarating youngster was at it once again, as his sharp cut into the box and ensuing attempt forced West Ham ‘keeper into action once again.
Almost at the hour mark, errors began to filter into the Rebels’ game. Beck’s foul on Medine in the penalty area resulted in a spot-kick being given and a gifted opportunity for the guests to equalise.
Seymour saved a lacklustre shot with a dangling foot, but the delight around Woodside quickly shifted to dismay after Landers, who had taken the penalty, headed the ball in from a recycled cross into the box.
From the equalising goal onwards, the pace of the game quickened, and momentum tilted into West Ham’s favour, as Junior Robinson trialled Seymour with a forceful strike.
Worthing finally fell to the sword as the clock ticked over into the 65th minute. Stood over a free-kick incredibly close to the touchline, Riley Hargan delivered a pinpoint cross to Battrum’s head, who made no mistake in placing a header past Seymour upon the second time of asking.
Boddy, a Rebel looking to score on his competitive debut for the club, found himself in on goal in the 70th minute, but his first-time shot was palmed away by Hooper.
Another chance to make the score even followed, this time from Marquez, but Hooper stepped up to the plate yet again, which marked the end of the Forest Green Rovers loanee’s evening in West Sussex, as he was replaced by Freddie Kokot.
The final quarter of the game was reduced to a lull up until the second minute of added time. Nima Ghandali’s misplaced pass was intercepted by Wiktor Makowski, but his searching pass for Moulton was recovered well by the 17-year-old.
Makowski was then given one last chance to write his name onto the scoresheet after he latched onto a Moore long ball, but the forward handled the ball in the process of taking it down.
The Rebels are hit with a rapid return to the Sussex Transport Community Stadium when Wealdstone come to town on Saturday.
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗