Needham Market 0 Worthing 2

East Anglian Daily Times: Jack Simmons of Needham, left, running the ball at the Worthing defence. Photos: BEN POOLEYJack Simmons of Needham, left, running the ball at the Worthing defence. Photos: BEN POOLEY (Image: Archant)

The Marketmen entertained Worthing in front of 262 spectators in this Bostik Premier League match at Bloomfields and suffered a shock defeat, following the euphoria of their midweek success against title favourites Billericay Town, writes John Campany.

This performance was in stark contrast to Tuesday night’s efforts and Needham were ultimately second best to the Sussex side who were languishing at the foot of the table and were seeking their first league win of the season.

Boss Richard Wilkins bemoaned this team’s performance.

“We started really well and had opportunities, but we failed to sustain our tempo,” he said.

East Anglian Daily Times: Armani Schaar of Needham with a late chance which just goes wide. Photo: BEN POOLEYArmani Schaar of Needham with a late chance which just goes wide. Photo: BEN POOLEY (Image: Archant)

“We were guilty of hitting the first man while Worthing got plenty of players behind the ball and who were intent on playing counter-attacking football which lead us to conceding two poor goals.”

Needham opened strongly with Luke Ingram testing visiting keeper Lucas Covolan and moments later Jamie Griffiths set up Adam Mills who dispatched a terrific shot that the keeper touched over.

“At the other end Jared Rance’s firmly-struck header forced Daniel Gay into a fine reactionary save.

As the game ebbed and flowed Worthing were playing good football that belied their league position as their young side grew in confidence with their neat passing game, while Needham were unable to sustain the high early intensity.

Both sides had shown resilience in defence until the 59th minute when the deadlock was broken.

A decisive Worthing move culminated with Rhyle Ovenden’s firm low cross finding the unmarked Kieron Pammett who drilled home at the far post.

Two minutes later Mills’ free kick was powerfully headed on target by Keiron Morphew but Covolan brilliantly saved.

The referee then denied two decent penalty appeals, one at each end.

With Needham searching for an equaliser Gareth Heath missed a great headed opportunity and substitute Armani Schaar, through on goal, shot tamely allowing Covolan to save.

Heath nearly atoned with a decent shot but the keeper again foiled the attempt and then another Kieron Morphew header again tested the resolve of the visiting custodian.

Worthing’s slick passing with pace always threatened and when the ball was given away cheaply another counter-attack settled the result deep into injury time with Reece Hallard scoring from close-range to the delight of the vocal travelling fans.