Three Bridges 1 Worthing 3: Paul Faili hands six debuts for cup tie

Three Bridges 1 Worthing 3

A young looking Three Bridges side gave a promising display but eventually fell to a strong Worthing side on Tuesday night.

Manager Paul Faili fielded six of his under-18s team and handed debuts to five of them as he opted to rest most of his first choice players for this weekend’s busy schedule.

Bridges travel to Eastbourne Town on Saturday and then host local rivals Crawley Down Gatwick at Jubilee Field on Easter Monday (both 3pm kick-offs).

Worthing had the first decent chance of the game after eight minutes when they hit the post and then the bar from the follow up before Pawel Szelemej managed to gather the loose ball.

But Bridges weren’t going to defend all night and when Alfred Hammond delivered a great ball to Yves Bassala, keeper Josh James was forced to make a good save.

And it was the home side who took a 25th minute lead that they probably deserved at the time. Newcomer Kofi Appiah produced a magnificent cross and Hammond finished well to the obviious delight of Faili.

Another newcomer, Greek Yiotis Batalidis, almost added another, but after 38 minutes Kieron Joseph brought down Tom Lawley in the box and Worthing’s ace marksman Billy Medlock struck a firm penalty into the top left corner of the net.

Szelemej almost got a hand to Medlock’s spot-kick, but he hardly covered himself in glory 30 seconds before the break when he totally missed Nick Sullivan’s cross, and Josh Bryant managed to stab the ball home in the ensuing melee.

Szelemej made two excellent saves, both from Chris O’Flaherty, as Worthing tried to extend their lead, and the Bridges keeper was then hurt when the visitors did squeeze home their third, Sid Adams connecting with both a low cross and Szelemej just two minutes after coming on as a 63rd minute substitute.

Seven minutes from time James made a great block to deny Louis Bradford following another great ball by the impressive Appiah, but Worthing’s strength finally told on a night when a number of Bridges youngsters showed that they have an excellent future ahead of them.

Bridges: Szelemej, Joseph, Jemwa, Nyang, Maxwell, Bataladis (Ainine 46, Manton, 75)), Bassala, O’Hara, Hammond (Bradford 58), Appiah, Carden

Unused subs: Nicholson, Grimstone

Aerotron Man of the Match: Dean Carden