Match Report: Worthing FC 2-2 Bath City
For the first time in Worthing’s history, the TV cameras were at Woodside Road.
The Rebels welcomed Bath City to the Sussex Transport Community Stadium, where they sat nineth in the National League South.
Interim Manager Aarran Racine made several changes to the squad that played Chippenham Town the week before, with Roco Rees making his first start since Eastbourne at the beginning of 2024. As well as Kane Wills, Jack Spong and Nicky Wheeler all returning the starting line-up.
Whilst Bath City Manager, Jerry Gill, making two changes the squad who played Welling United. With Duncan Idehen and Jack Bates replacing Tom Smith and Kieran Parselle.
It did not take long for the first card of the game with Elliot Frear being shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Worthing skipper, Joel Colbran in the third minute.
Bath City started off the game strong with the first big chance from Scott Wilson bringing down the ball before striding towards the Worthing goal, which ended up being deflected for a Bath City corner.
The Rebels first chance of the game would be from striker, Ollie Pearce, with the league’s top goal scorer narrowly missing the target from a header.
Worthing would win a free-kick on the edge of the box with Jack Spong being fouled by Duncan Idehen. Ollie Pearce would hit a fantastic strike, beating the ball however would be denied by the bar.
Racine’s men continued to push for the first goal, with a perfect touch from Joe Felix which allowed him to have a chance on goal, however just missed the far corner.
From a well-worked corner, Danny Cashman would look to score for the Rebels from a close-range header but Bath City goalkeeper, Will Buse would make good save.
The Romans would take the lead from a corner in the 30th minute. A solid save from Roco Rees, would not be enough with Scott Wilson having quick reactions to slot it in.
The Rebels would answer just seven minutes later with a beautiful goal by Cashman in the 37th minute. Cashman would start the move, with a wonderful long ball to Joe Felix, who played it back to Ollie Pearce. Pearce would then lay it off to Cashman who picked out the bottom corner, with a very composed finish. A historic goal for the Rebels, with their first ever goal on television.
Danny Cashman with Nicky Wheeler celebrating his first goal against Bath City (Credit: Mike Gunn)
Worthing would push for another in the 40th minute with a shot from Jack Spong however an important block from Duncan Idehen would prevent the Rebels from taking the lead.
The referee indicated there would be a minimum of three minutes of added time. Leading the first half to end all square.
A really quick start from Worthing in the second half with a long-range strike from Nicky Wheeler would go over.
Following the quick start by the Rebels, as in the 54th minute Joe Felix would get in behind Greenslade, however his shot would sail over the bar.
Bath City started to build up some momentum with Joel Colbran making an important block to Cody Cooke’s shot in the 59th minute.
Nicky Wheeler, continued to cause issues for the right-hand side of Bath City, with Wheeler shooting from distance against, forcing Will Buse to make a save, before Cashman’s rebound just going wide. Bath City would make the first changes of the game with Elliott Frear being replaced by Ephraim Yeboah.
Bath City would take the lead in the 65th minute, once again from a corner. Clever movement from Jordan Dyer would allow him to win a great header, impossible for a fully stretched Roco Rees to make the save.
Aarran Racine would make his first substitute of the game four minutes later, with Dylan Fage coming on for Jack Spong. As well as two minutes later, Cameron Tutt would come off for Alfie Young.
Worthing continue to push for an equaliser with an Ollie Pearce effort deflecting wide for a corner.
In the 79th minute, Dylan Fage would use a lovely fake-shot to beat Ewan Clark and place the ball to Cashman, where Cashman would score an unbelievable goal on his weak foot going into the top-left corner, giving Worthing the well-deserved equaliser.
Danny Cashman with Dylan Fage celebrating his second goal against Bath City (Credit: Mike Gunn)
Worthing would make their final change of the afternoon, with Nicky Wheeler coming off for a returning Josh Chambers, who had recently signed on loan from Gillingham.
Jack Bates would have an effort on goal for the Romans, with a volley sailing over the brand-new West Stand.
In the latter stages of the game, Dylan Fage would perfectly cross the ball into the box finding Cashman looking for his hat-trick, however, Cashman’s header would go drift wide.
The referee indicated that there would be four minutes of added time.
Before the final whistle, Ollie Pearce would get in-behind the Bath City defence, however, it would be deemed offside, and the referee would blow his whistle for full-time.
The attendance at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium, would be announced at 2119.
The Rebels will travel to Havant & Waterlooville on the Friday 29th March, whilst the Romans will travel to Weymouth the same day.
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