RUGGLES RUFFLES BUT ROYALS REVIVE

A THIRD DRAW in three meetings was just about the right result for Worthing against Windsor & Eton on Tuesday night. But the Rebels will know it was a game in which three points could and should have been secure after they dominated the first half.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Aug 2004, 11:54 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:00 BST

Sam Francis' placement in an attacking wide-right role nearly reaped an early dividend after 10 minutes when he fired an inviting cross into the six-yard box for the onrushing Sam Rents. The timing of the run was immaculate but Rents somehow failed to connect and Windsor breathed again.

Two minutes later it was Phil Ruggles going close, firing against the post from an angle after indecision in the Windsor box.

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Rents then went near again, finding the connection he so needed 15 minutes beforehand with a superb half-volley from 25 yards that Royalist keeper Chuck Martini did well to claim.

The opening goal came after 25 minutes from a move initiated by Ruggles' refusal to recognise a lost cause. His harrying of the Windsor defence earned possession on the edge of the box and neat play between Paul Rogers and Mark Pulling culminated in a powerfully placed finish from Rogers.

Windsor's reinvention in the second half reminded all at Woodside Road why The Royalists followed Worthing into the Ryman Premier League.

The pace, guile and drive of Lewis Cook '” only hinted at in the first half '” flourished in the second and Windsor slowly stifled Worthing's midfield.

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Peter Holsgrove's 20-yard shot wasn't far over on the hour mark before Morgaro Gomis' attempt to divert Cook's dragged shot goalwards was somehow thwarted five minutes later.

An 84th minute turn and shot from 18 yards by Ruggles was as close as Worthing came before Paul Holsgrove bettered his brother Peter's earlier effort with a superb 35-yard equaliser that hit both posts before rolling in.

WORTHING: Packham; Holmes, Pullan, Lamont, Payne; Francis, Pulling, Rogers, Rents, Elouhmani; Ruggles. Subs: Knee (Elhoumani, 78), Lutwyche (Pulling, 73), Ducille, Dicker, Alexander. Att: 350.

See The Herald for a report of Saturday's match at Wealdstone.

Related topics:Royals