Whites fall to a 3-2 defeat on the South Coast after Worthing’s second-half turn-around saw them score three.
The game started quickly. Within the first couple of minutes, Worthing striker Muhammadu Faal managed to break in behind into the Salisbury box. Some good work from Whites skipper Josh Sommerton was enough to halt the tall number nine.
Despite the hosts having the lion’s share of possession, it was the Whites who converted the first chance of the game. Noah Coppin turned in a corner in the 20th minute at the front post after winning the set piece himself moments earlier.
The West Sussex side ramped up the pressure creating chances through Nicky Wheeler, the wide man found himself with space in the box, his strike cannoned off the far post and away to safety.
Moments later, a cross from out wide finds its way into a dangerous area. The ball didn’t drop as Glen Rea would have liked, and the alert Rhys Byrne gathered it.
In the 34th, Rea missed another golden opportunity to equalise for the hosts as he guided his header just wide from the penalty spot.
The Whites did well and continued to frustrate for the rest of the half, as they went into the changing rooms with their goal lead.
Worthing came out hungry for an equaliser early in the second period. Five minutes after the restart, Faal cut in on his right and fired a strike away that was marginally wide of the far post.
Jack Spong ensured the Rebels continued to ask questions of the Whites; his venomous attempt required a full-stretched Byrne to tip it behind in the 65th.
Despite a lengthy spell of pressure from the home side, Salisbury created a golden opportunity to double their lead. Lewis Brown found substitute Ronan Silva in behind, who eventually squared it to fellow sub, Dan Fitchett. The latter couldn’t convert due to a good Lucas Covolan hand.
In the 77th minute, the Whites would finally cave under the relentless Rebels’ pressure, Joe Cook rose the highest to nod the home sides’ equaliser in after a good cross was sent into the centre of the box.
The goal inspired Chris Agutter’s side to push on. In the 81st minute, Liam Nash drove into the box, the substitute cut inside Jombati and blasted the ball home into the roof of the net to put them in front.
Three minutes later (84th), Nash doubled his tally. A long ball found its way into the path of the player, who kept his calm and slotted in Worthing’s’ third.
The fourth official signalled six additional minutes.
In typical Salisbury fashion, the Whites managed to keep the game alive until the last kick. Callum Watts finished a chance two minutes into stoppage time to ramp up the nerves of the home dugout.
A 30-yard freekick was awarded to the Whites with a minute to go, but Jaden Perez couldn’t convert what would have been a spectacular effort.
The final whistle blew, resulting in the West Sussex side taking the points after a five-goal thriller.
Focus turns to Tuesday evening for the visit of Bath City, 19:45 pm kick-off at the RayMac.
