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The historic journey to Alfreton for Worthing FC's first FA Cup 1st round tie in 24 years was more than just a game; it was an experience etched in the hearts of the fans. With two coaches and the trusty green machine, fans embarked on the long trek to mid-Derbyshire, fuelled by anticipation and unwavering support.
Remarkably, this coach journey proved to be incident-free, despite the relentless bad weather that accompanied us throughout. We even had time for a 30-minute pit stop, where fans stocked up on snacks and various liquid refreshments. As for me, it was a comforting cup of tea that hit the spot.
Our arrival at 12.30 pm, a full hour before the turnstiles opened, left us with only one logical option—to explore the local Wetherspoons. After a quick pint and a rendezvous with fellow fans at "The Dog House," the anticipation was building.
Entering the pub, we were met by a sea of Worthing fans, proudly displaying their flags. The atmosphere was electric, unmatched in all my years following Worthing. The sounds of the Worthing Away-Boys songbook and the rhythmic drumming sent shivers down my spine. At one point, I couldn't resist joining the frenzy, leaping onto a bench and bouncing up and down like an excited schoolboy.
Amidst the chaos, Hayden approached me for an interview for the Club's media team. We found a little spot outside the pub, doubling as a smoking area, and managed to conduct the interview despite the clamor of around 15 Worthing fans stepping out for a smoke.
The next destination was the stadium, and our plan was to go live on RebelYell just after 2.30 pm to capture the pre-match atmosphere among the fans. As I entered the stadium reception, I had the unexpected pleasure of meeting former Derby County and Nottingham Forest player Colin Todd. It would have been remiss not to seize the opportunity for a quick selfie with him. Anyway, we managed to go live just after 2.30pm grabbing quite a few Worthing fans for their opinions of how the afternoon would unfold and you could feel the anticipation and expectations of the fans.
I had hoped to cover the game from the press box, unfortunately, the seat I intended to occupy was taken, leaving me with the only spare seat in the front row of the stand. I was now sitting next to the parents of one of Alfreton's players—specifically, Lund, the player known for his long throw-ins.
The game unfolded with two contrasting styles of play on display. Worthing adhered to their principles of passing the ball, attempting to break down Alfreton's well-organized defense, bolstered by two towering center-backs who handled most aerial challenges with ease. Worthing, however, struggled to create clear-cut chances, despite Aquiar coming close early on with a curling shot.
The best chance of the half fell to Alfreton just before halftime—a quick counterattack from a Worthing corner forced Roco Rees into a sharp save. Half-time arrived with the score still deadlocked at 0-0. Worthing had controlled the game, defended the edge of the box with precision, but had yet to truly test the opposition goalkeeper.
The second half unfolded with a similar pattern, but Alfreton appeared to enjoy more possession than in the first half. They applied more pressure on our backline with their direct style of play, but genuine scoring opportunities were rare for both sides.
As I commented on commentary, it became clear that the game would be decided by a moment of individual brilliance or skill. Unfortunately, that moment arrived for Alfreton. In the 72nd minute, Newall struck a thunderous shot from outside the area that eluded Roco Rees, and my sinking feeling grew as the goal put Alfreton ahead.
Hinsh acted swiftly, making changes to the personnel. However, it failed to alter the game's course, and the writing was on the wall. The final blow came from an Alfreton corner, with Digie, their towering center-back, heading home in the 86th minute. That sealed Worthing's fate, marking the end of their FA Cup run.
Hinsh's post-match interview resonated with me when he mentioned our struggles against physically imposing teams, such as the Yeovil game where we dominated but left empty-handed. The question then arises: should we alter our style to accommodate more physical players who might not fit a passing game? In my view, the answer is a resounding no. While the long-ball approach may be effective at times, it lacks the finesse and beauty of the game we love. Hinsh should stick to his principles, and with the style we play, victory should outweigh defeat.
The journey home, though gloomy in terms of weather and the result, was filled with the collective spirit that defines our fan base. Even as our coach had subdued spirits, it was a far cry from the poor fans on the green machine, which suffered a gearbox failure. Thankfully, they were rescued by the team coach, embodying the camaraderie that runs deep in this club.
The lasting takeaway from this day, aside from the kebab I enjoyed on the way home, was the overall experience. We have a remarkable fan base, one that we can be immensely proud of. Regardless of the results, they continue to travel and rally behind the team, looking out for one another. I cherished the day, even though I despised the result. It took 24 years to reach this stage of the FA Cup, and Hinsh promised us a cup run—and he delivered, as he always does.
So, let's lift our chins and focus on the upcoming league match on Tuesday. Let's be loud and proud for the boys as we return to the serious business of the league. If we stand behind this team and management, we can look forward to more memorable days in the future. Here's to hoping the results swing in our favour.
Up the Rebels!
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