REBEL YELL AS PEARCE DRIVES ON WORTHING
WORTHING strengthened their position as the leading chasers behind topof-the-table Yeovil with a hardfought win at Longmead.
The Rebels had an early shout for a penalty waved away when Ollie Pearce went to ground after contact with Tariq Hinds.
Home goalkeeper Jonny Henly was called into action in the fifth minute after Jake Robinson was fed through. He found a gap to shoot but Henly saved with his legs.
Jordan Higgs looked to replicate his recent wonder goal against Maidstone in the 14th minute with a volley from the edge of the box which went wide.
Angels fired a number of shots narrowly high or wide in the first half and struggled to capitalise on several good crosses. Danny Cashman found himself in a decent position but with Henly coming out, the winger blazed over the bar.
Worthing started the second period well. Pearce thundered the ball into the side netting, an early warning of what was to come.
On 62 minutes, the striker clinically headed home after the ball had been ricocheting around the six-yard box. Nathan Odokonyero showed positive signs on his Tonbridge debut, combining nicely with Paris Lock who, after driving into the box in the 80th minute, danced around a number of defenders and won a penalty for Tonbridge.
However, Lewis Gard, who had an excellent record from the spot this season, rifled over.
Angels – despite their best efforts in the closing stages – couldn’t equalise. Worthing took three points back to the south coast and Tonbridge’s nine-match unbeaten run at home came to a conclusion.
Tonbridge boss Jay Saunders said: “I felt we created chances in the first half, didn’t get going in the second and they’ve scored. I feel for Gardy with the penalty, I thought he had a good game.”
Worthing manager Adam Hinshelwood added: “It’s a good win, good to come away from home and keep a clean sheet. We were a bit wasteful first-half, it was quite an even game, but we just did enough to win it.”