The Shoreham won this 2nd qualifying round FA Vase tie against local neighbours Worthing Utd who will feel they did enough to earn a draw. Worthing certainly had their chances but it was Shoreham  who showed the more clinical finishing in the final third to win the tie.

The opening exchanges were fairly even as both teams closed the other down whenever they were in possession. Worthing had the first chance when Gareth Green's shot sailed over the bar after a well taken corner. As the game settled down Shoreham slowly started to dominate the midfield area and the game was played more in the Worthing half with the home team relying on counter attacks to create any real danger. Shoreham took an early lead when Lee Eastman picked up a loose ball in midfield, strode forward unchallenged and let fly with a beautiful strike into the top corner of the net from 25yards.

The quality of the strike was such that Ross Standen, a keeper of outstanding pedigree, did not make any attempt to stop the shot. 1-0 to Shoreham. Worthing could have scored almost from the restart but Gareth Green fiercely struck shot went wide of the post. Shoreham continued to boss play generally with Worthing occasionally looking to knock in balls from wide areas to unsettle the Mussels defence. As the first haf drew to a close Shoreham had to defend some well taken corners but they survived and went in at the interval having the one goal cushion. Halftime: Worthing Utd 0 Shoreham 1

Within a minute of the restart Worthing Utd equalised when a cross in by Green was headed in at the far post by ex-Shoreham player Grant Philpott. On 55 minutes Darren Annis, another ex-Shoreham player, was put through but his well struck shot was brilliantly saved by Michael Hunter. Jamie Groves came on early in the second half for Shoreham and was a threat whenever he went forward.

The winning goal came minutes later when Groves perfectly placed freekick was headed in by Josh Clayman who was having an outstanding game. Shoreham continued to play the more thoughful football but Worthing created chances which could have been converted on another day as they got the ball forward quickly to put the Shoreham defence under all sorts of pressure. On 84 minutes good play between Clayman and Eastman saw the latters shot cleared off the line Not to be outdone, Standens long punt upfield was seized on by Richard Carter, yes, another ex-Shoreham player, but his shot blazed over the bar.

With the game well and truly opened up, Ryan Bradley then saw his shot whizz wide after good work by Owen Callaghan. A relieved Shoreham saw the game out and progress to the next round. Shoreham won this game without playing particularly well- perhaps seeing so many ex-Shoreham players on the opposing side had an effect on the overall quality of the performance. Whatever the reason, we won and you take the result as always.

For Shoreham our two best players were probably our goalscorers- Lee Eastman showed great energy throughout and has been a revelation since he has become a regular starter. The MOM goes to Josh Clayman-as the second striker he often dropped back to support the midfield and his non-stop runs into the penalty box always spelt danger for Worthing. Added to this he scored what turned out to be the winning goal and deservedly gets the MOM award.

Match Reporter: Pat Callaghan

MOM: Josh Clayman