The hosts entered their penultimate friendly of the summer looking to preserve their unbeaten pre-season programme, following draws with AFC Bournemouth U21s, Frome Town and Enfield Town and victories over Selsey and Queens Park Rangers U21s.
Adam Hinshelwood named two debutants in his starting eleven, with QPR and Hull City loanees Cory Adjetey-Brew and Ramell Clarke being plunged straight into action, while there was also an appearance in central defence for Trialist A.
As much as the visitors controlled possession in the opening 10 minutes, it was the Reds that produced multiple opportunities to notch themselves in front early on.
Playing through the middle, 18-year-old Carter instantly imposed himself on the opposition, throwing his body into duels and pressing with intent and purpose.
The first few chances fell the teenager’s way, with his shot being blocked out for a corner following Hutchinson’s cutback before the subsequent set piece was flicked on by Joel Colbran and directed millimetres away from the forward’s left boot.
Moments after Carter’s near-miss, Brighton launched a devastating counter-attack up the other end which resulted in Caylan Vickers advancing towards Harrison Foulkes’ net. However, the retreating Hutchinson had eaten up over 70 yards of pitch to recover and execute a timely last-ditch block to prevent his side from falling behind.
The breathless start to the encounter continued, with Carter having another opening in front of goal. Midfield maestro Jack Wadham showed great composure with a gorgeous body feint deceiving his marker, which allowed him the time and space to release the newest Red through the middle. With only Michael Dike to beat, Carter attempted to slot a finish through the goalkeeper’s leg, but saw his pathway blocked by the Seagulls’ shot-stopper.
Despite their best efforts, Brighton couldn’t keep the lively Carter at bay as the recruit marked his debut by breaking the deadlock in West Sussex.
Dike went from hero to zero, as he miscontrolled a pass and presented Razzaq Coleman De-Graft with the ball six yards out from goal. Forced slightly wide by the sprawling goalkeeper initially, the winger’s shot from an acute angle ricocheted into the sky off Dike’s leg before being convincingly volleyed into the untended net by Carter.
Only 13 minutes had elapsed when the ball rippled the net. Brighton couldn’t argue they hadn’t been warned.
Worthing had chances to double their advantage with Wadham dragging a shot narrowly wide from distance and Colbran heading over either side of a nasty challenge from Brighton defender Tate Ferdinand which was penalised with a yellow card.
The Rebels were cutting through their opponents effortlessly with fast, incisive football, although their momentum was quashed on the stroke of the half hour.
Mark O’Mahony, who has spent time on loan at Portsmouth and Reading over the last few years, pounced on a loose touch from Coleman De-Graft 20 yards from goal and buried a driven finish beyond Foulkes and into the bottom corner – a stark reminder of the quality the Seagulls possessed in their ranks.
Undeterred, the hosts wasted no time in restoring their lead, as Hutchinson scored for a successive match within five minutes of conceding. Teddy Jenks was the architect behind the Reds’ second with a perfectly-weighted through ball to find the clever run of Hutchinson as he drifted from the left flank into a more central position.
The former Wealdstone man’s first touch allowed his second to be rifled into the corner, leaving the goalkeeper with little hope of stopping it. Advantage Worthing again – and deservedly so.
Shortly after, it should’ve been three. Hutchinson again anticipated the situation correctly to nick the ball off Ben Barclay before unselfishly teeing up Coleman De-Graft in the centre. Instead of attempting a shot, the National League South champion opted to perform a ball roll around the goalkeeper, but Dike smothered it and left the attacker frustrated.
Kamari Doyle then had two bites of the cherry for a second Brighton equaliser, with Colbran denying him on both occasions.
Taylor Seymour was swapped in place of Foulkes for the second period and needed to stay alert to palm Sean Keogh’s cross away from danger and thwart Doyle from close-range with a commendable save with his left foot.
Meanwhile, Hutchinson looked to add to his tally at the other end, although his effort towards the near post was gathered by Dike.
Debutant left-back Adjetey-Brew then almost capped off a Player of the Match display with a picturesque solo goal with 20 minutes to play. Running the length of the field, the QPR talent’s rasping shot flew inches wide of the post, much to the dismay of the Woodside faithful.
A plethora of changes for the visitors disrupted the flow of the match in the closing stages, as Brighton failed to mount any significant charges on goal.
Substitute Brad Dolaghan’s flick and volley move was parried by Dikes’ replacement Oliver Mayer, with Coleman De-Graft’s rebound lacking the conviction to beat the youngster.
Freddie Kokot came agonisingly close to having a memorable first senior appearance at Woodside, with the linesman’s flag ruling out an instinctual finish before the goalkeeper was equal to a well-struck attempt.
Worthing ended the friendly on top and recorded a confidence-raising performance in the process – with a positive result to match.
It’s six down, one to go for the Rebels who welcome Horsham to the Sussex Transport Community Stadium this Saturday for their final outing before next weekend’s National League curtain raiser away to Carlisle United.
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗