Worthing Town v Rustington

3pm 29 August 2022

Southern Combination League, Division Two
Worthing Town 4 Rustington 4 (att 125)

Worthing Town finished last season bottom of the third tier of the Southern Combination League, and defeats in both their opening fixtures suggested they might struggle again.

I expected a third loss against a Rustington side who'd gained maximum points so far. That looked nailed on at half time, when two goals, the second just before the break, gave the visitors a 2-0 lead.

But the scoreline was harsh on Worthing Town who had created, and missed, enough chances to be in front.

The hosts found their range in the second half, although after an incident-packed 45 minutes the teams had to settle for a point each.

Worthing Town scored to half the deficit, then looked to have blown their chances when they had a player red-carded. But with 10 men they scored again to level, albeit thanks to a very generous penalty.

Arguments following the penalty resulted in a Rustington player being sin-binned, temporarily leveling up the numbers. Then the visitors had a player sent off, and Worthing had one of their own sin-binned.

At some point during that chaos (I ought to keep better notes) Rustington went back in front. Nine-a-side for a while, before eventually going back to 10-a-side, meant plenty of space on the pitch and more goals.

Eventually it finished, just before 5pm, at 4-4. One of the most remarkable halves of football I've seen in a long time.

Worthing Town are based at Palatine Park in Goring-by-Sea. There's a two-storey clubhouse adjacent to a newish 3G pitch where the senior team plays. Beyond is a playing field with room for more pitches.

I don't mind caged artificial pitches generally, but I do find them frustrating when the crowd exceeds the numbers they're designed for. Palatine Park has a spectator area that runs to just beyond the halfway line on one side, but dugouts and sections of high fence reduce its useable capacity.

It was a bit of a squeeze, and tricky to get a decent view. I watched some of the match from beyond the fence behind the goal and on the far side, but despite that minor gripe it was a very entertaining afternoon.