Elphick wants a winning return to league action

Worthing Football Club joint-manager Gary Elphick looked ahead to Saturday's Ryman League Premier Division encounter at Billericay and said: 'Let's get back to winning ways in the league.'
Worthing celebrate earlier this season. Picture: Stephen GoodgerWorthing celebrate earlier this season. Picture: Stephen Goodger
Worthing celebrate earlier this season. Picture: Stephen Goodger

Following a flying start recording wins in their opening three Ryman Premier matches, Worthing have gone four games without a win in the league.

That tough run has seen them lose each of their previous three games in the league with Elphick admitting some naivety from both he and joint-manager Jon Meeney may be to blame.

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He said: “Myself and Jon are learning all the time and maybe we were a little naive after our start.

“I think after our start we thought we’d keep blowing teams away.

“After these recent defeats we’ve adapted our formation and the shape change seems to be helping us.”

A couple of cup victories in their most recent matches have helped Worthing get back on track.

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Ryman Division One South side Three Bridges were dispatched 5-0 at Woodside Road last Tuesday.

Then Worthing booked a spot in the third-round qualifying of this year’s FA Cup following a 2-0 victory over ten-man Southern League Premier Division side Hayes & Yeading on Saturday.

Elphick believes those wins could well give his side the much-needed boost needed to get back to winning ways in the league.

He added: “I think those two victories have given us a boost. We won on a difficult pitch at Hayes and we’ll expect something similar at Billericay.

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“It will be another tough challenge for us but with this new system hopefully we will come away taking a positive result.”

Worthing’s reward for progressing past Hayes in the FA Cup is a date with division-higher National League South outfit St Albans City.

Elphick was once a player with St Albans and with them currently sitting in third he knows what a test it will be.

He said: “I have some really fond memories from my time with them.

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“I know the manager really well and he gets his teams well organised.

“It’s one of the toughest draws that we could have had at this stage but it’s 
a challenge that we will 
relish.

“It gives the young players we have in the squad a chance to go to a place like St Albans and showcase what they can do.

“We’ll go into it and give everything that we have and who knows what could happen.

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“It’s a one-off game in the FA Cup, all we can do is give it our all and see what could potentially happen.”

Places still remain on the supporters’ coach for Saturday’s away trip to Billericay (3pm).

If you are interested contact the club on 07493 730307 or visit worthingfc.com for more details.

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