Delayed derby day is a delight for Worthing - and sobering for Bognor

By Steve Bone
Published 28th Dec 2021, 19:02 BST
Updated 29th Dec 2021, 08:46 BST
Ashton Leigh tries to block a Harrison Male clearance in the Bognor-Worthing derby at Nyewood Lane / Picture: Lyn PhillipsAshton Leigh tries to block a Harrison Male clearance in the Bognor-Worthing derby at Nyewood Lane / Picture: Lyn Phillips
Ashton Leigh tries to block a Harrison Male clearance in the Bognor-Worthing derby at Nyewood Lane / Picture: Lyn Phillips
Worthing moved seven points clear at the top of the Isthmian premier table as they came from a goal down to beat Bognor with a commanding second-half performance.

The Rocks led through a sublime Jordy Mongoy finish but Callum Kealy cancelled it out before the break – then Ollie Pearce netted a second-half double to deflate his old team.

It means Worthing end 2021 on a real high and look well on their way to the tile and promotion to National South, while the Rocks go into the new year needing an upturn in form and fortunes if they're to mount a serious bid to get into the play-offs.

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It was 12th v 1st at a packed Nyewood Lane – the biggest gap in the table between the sides on a derby day for some time, this for a game scheduled for Monday afternoon but rearranged for 24 hours later when a waterlogged pitch put paid to the original plans.

Worthing have had a great season so far but Bognor's has been up and down, with defensive frailties holding them back in their quest for promotion or at least a play-off spot.

With top scorer Nathan Odokonyero out through illness, Pompey academy loanee Dan Gifford came into the Rocks forward line for his debut – and his fellow Fratton Park youngster Harvey Hughes was also in the side, in place of injured full-back James Crane. Calvin Davies and Harvey Whyte were also missing through injury.

The home defence were under pressure in the first minute in a Worthing move that ended with Jasper Pattenden having a clear sight of goal but his shot was blocked. There was an early flashpoint when Pearce went down on the halfway line claiming to have been struck and was angrily told by Ashton Leigh to get up. The referee took no action other than the Rebels free-kick.