Worthing v Southend United: no hiding place after Halifax

I still want a proper explanation of why Ben Goodliffe was left waiting to enter the field while Halifax scored their equaliser. Kieron Dyer and Anssi Jaakkola were furious at the end; I understand why. We can argue about what the officials should have done, and we probably will for a long time. But Tuesday is coming whether we have the answers or not.

Perhaps that is no bad thing. Days of stewing over Halifax would be worse than a quick chance to put it right. The difficulty is that Worthing have absolutely no intention of making it easy.

Third against fourth — and only one point between us

After 14 league games, Southend United are third with 28 points from eight wins, four draws and two defeats. We’ve scored 33 and conceded 21. That is a strong return, even if the goals-against column continues to make me nervous.

Worthing sit fourth on 27 points. Their record is eight wins, three draws and three defeats, with 29 goals scored and 19 conceded. They are not just an enthusiastic newly promoted side enjoying a few good afternoons. Adam Hinshelwood has built a team that is already competing with the clubs expected to be up there in May.

Boreham Wood are setting a remarkable pace at the top and Harrogate have moved three points clear of us in second. At the same time, Worthing and Altrincham are breathing down our necks. It feels far too early to talk about must-win matches, but a defeat on Tuesday would allow Worthing to leapfrog us. That’s the reality.

Worthing arrive with momentum

The Rebels have won three successive league matches. They beat Gateshead 2–1 away, thrashed Solihull Moors 5–0 at home and then came from behind to win 2–1 at Kidderminster on Saturday evening. That last result tells us rather more about them than the scoreline alone.

Ben Crompton had Kidderminster ahead at the break and the home side continued to create chances. Worthing goalkeeper Taylor Seymour had to earn his money. But rather than fall away, Worthing came back through Razzaq Coleman De-Graft in the 58th minute and Cory Adjetey-Brew ten minutes later. A change from Hinshelwood helped produce the winner, with Dominic Johnson-Fisher’s pace causing havoc down the right.

They can be got at — Kidderminster proved that. They can also punish you brutally if you switch off. After what happened in the final minutes against Halifax, that second point is one I would very much like Southend to remember.

Worthing players to watch

Razzaq Coleman De-Graft

De-Graft is my main danger man. Seven league goals so far, good feet in crowded areas and the confidence to turn a half-chance into something dangerous. His equaliser at Kidderminster came after he made his own shooting space and struck through a defender’s legs. Give him too much room around the box and he doesn’t need a second invitation.

Cory Adjetey-Brew

At 18, Adjetey-Brew is showing no sign of being intimidated by this level. He scored twice in the five-goal win over Solihull and then arrived at exactly the right moment to finish Johnson-Fisher’s cross against Kidderminster. His timing and energy make him a problem from wide areas and late runs. Someone has to track him all the way, not merely point at him and hope.

There is quality elsewhere too. Seymour’s saves helped protect Saturday’s win, while Johnson-Fisher offers a burst of pace from the bench. Former Southend players Charley Kendall and Noor Husin are among the familiar connections at Worthing. Kendall started the Kidderminster game, which only adds a little extra interest to Tuesday’s meeting.

What Southend have to get right

Let’s not pretend our own league form has collapsed. Before Halifax, we won at Boston with Sahid Kamara’s late goal, beat AFC Fylde 3–1 and took a point from Eastleigh. We also remain unbeaten away from home in the league. Four wins and three draws from seven trips is something to build on, especially against a Worthing side that likes to attack.

But one clean sheet in 14 league matches is not a record that fills you with confidence. We can score; Promise Omochere keeps proving that. He converted Saturday’s penalty and was involved in the move that forced Mackenzie Maltby’s late own goal. The issue is what happens when we give the ball away or lose our shape during an opponent’s spell of pressure.

I’d like to see Oli Coker and Anthony Hartigan give us control in midfield, with a clear plan for getting the ball into Omochere and supporting him. Josh Popoola and Leon Chambers-Parillon have the ability to stretch a defence, but possession has to lead somewhere. Too often we’ve made good attacks and then invited trouble straight back at us.

As for the starting eleven, I won’t invent injury updates or pretend to know which players will be cleared to play. Harry Cardwell and other members of the squad have had fitness issues, while Goodliffe’s attempted introduction against Halifax became the flashpoint of the afternoon. Whoever starts, I want balance, clear communication and a side that does not need to concede before it settles down.

A first meeting, but plenty at stake

As far as the competitive record goes, this is the clubs’ first meeting. Worthing earned their place at this level by winning National League South last season, and they have carried that belief into the National League. There is no previous head-to-head result to lean on, and no point imagining the old Football League badge on our shirt will win us a single tackle.

There should be a good atmosphere at Woodside Road under the lights. For our travelling supporters, it is another proper away night, with the promise of a noisy Southend following. I hope they get the performance they deserve. They’ve already had enough frustration in the past ten days.

Whatever the disciplinary aftermath of Saturday brings, the eleven on the pitch must concentrate on what they can control: defend the box properly, don’t hand over cheap possession, and take chances when they come. We do not need another match decided by a muddle with seconds remaining.