Worthing 3 Lowestoft Town 0: Blues youngsters tumble out of FA Trophy

Worthing goalkeeper Lucas Covolan comes out to claim in Lowestoft's FA Trophy defeat against Worthing. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Lowestoft were deprived of the spine of their side going into the game as injury ruled out both Dean Leacock and Jake Reed whilst Jacek Zielonka had a family commitment in his native Poland.

The squad manager Ady Gallagher cobbled together was the youngest Town have ever fielded at this level with nine of the 13 players available being 23 or under.

In a poor game with little goalmouth incident Worthing were worthy of their victory, but with two of the goals coming in added time at the end of the game, whilst Lowestoft were committing men forward, the final result was flattering for the home side.

Josh Greenleaf was given his first start in the absence of Reed but he didn't have the physical strength to cause the Worthing defence any trouble although he did have Lowestoft's only half chance in the first period when he moved onto to Sam Borrer's shrewd through ball only to have keeper Lucas Covolan dive and take the ball off his toes as he was about to shoot.

Freddie Westlake challenges a Worthing player. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Worthing took the lead moments later in the 16th minute when Jared Rance's cross deflected off the arm of Travis Cole straight to Ben Pope who swept the ball home at the near post.

Lowestoft's injury woes continued five minutes after the break with Harvey Hodd pulling up and being replaced by Cion Wren. The youngster almost created an equalising goal as his cross was headed down by Cole but Greenleaf's attempt to find the net was kept out by a wall of bodies.

Lowestoft were reduced to 10 men for a few minutes as Callum White received treatment for an ankle injury which saw the unusual sight of sub keeper Elvijs Putnins hastily changing from his keeper's kit to an outfield one before White was able to resume.

As the game reached the final quarter Lowestoft threw caution to the wind moving both Cole and Rory McAuley up front and it almost paid off as McAuley got on the end of Adam Smith's free kick only to be foiled by a superb save by Covolan.

Lowestoft's Cion Wren in action in the 3-0 defeat against Worthing. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

With the game moving into injury time a long clearance from the back saw the Town defence exposed with Pope running through unchallenged to slot past Ben Dudzinski. Two minutes later Worthing added insult to injury with Kieron Pamment heading home a third goal.

Worthing: Covolan, Colbran, Rents, Hallard, Young, Ovenden, Parsons (Wrightman 90+4), Pammant, Pope, Rance (Meekums 76), Denyer-Schneider (Sparkes 82). Subs not used: Watson, Boiling

Lowestoft Town: Dudzinski, Cole, Barker, Smith, McAuley, Westlake, White, Borrer, Greenleaf, Hodd (Wren 50), Nyadzayo. Sub not used: Putnins.

Referee: Mr C Green

Lowestoft Town's Cruise Nyadzayo in action against Worthing. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Attendance: 512

Lowestoft's Adam Smith in action against Worthing, Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Lowestoft striker Josh Greenleaf tries to find a way past a Worthing defender. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Lowestoft Town captain Travis Cole in action during the Blues' 3-0 defeat against Worthing in the FA Trophy. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)