1.Alan Mansfield
2.Mark Zydonic
3.Charlie Farmer
4.Paul Kennett 
5.Glen Woodburn
6.Karl Akehurst
7.Wayne Clarke
8.Dean Chamberlain
9.Ben Williamson
10.Jamie Brotherton
11.Brett Patton
Subs:
12.Joe Booker
14.Simon McMenemy
15.Hassan Nyang
16.Ben Johnson
17.Tony Bi-Nardo
18.Brendon Sebuliba
19.Adam Mitchell
20.Pani Ortis

Goalscorers:
Brotherton, pen (60)

1.Rob Tolfrey
2.Scott Harris
3.Mark Knee
4.Tony Acheampong
5.Sam Page (J Page,45, Davies,70)
6.Lee Carney (Nicholls,80)
7.Russell Eldridge
8.Tony Nwachukwu (Hutchings)
9.Ben Andrews
10.Pat Harding
11.Claude Seanla (Payne,65)
Subs:
12.Jack Page
14.Steve Davies
15.Ian Payne
16.Adam Hutchings
17.James Nicholls
18.Mark Hawthorne
 

Reporter: Ben Tennant
Photographs: John Lines

The Hornets' pre-season calendar began in defeat as Jamie Brotherton's 60th minute penalty kick separated them from last year’s landlords, Worthing.

Horsham fielded a strong side from the start including 3 new signings; Pat Harding, Scott Harris and former rebels’ skipper Ben Andrews and were unlucky not to score in a lively first half that saw Worthing hit the crossbar from a cross that was forced onto the woodwork by the wind. The second half was a much different affair with various substitutions unable to assist either side in gaining the upper hand until Russell Eldridge pulled down Ben Williamson to earn the match-winning spot-kick.

The Hornets got the game underway at a windy Woodside Road but it was Worthing who had the first real chance of the game when Karl Akehurst dragged his shot wide of the goal. Andrews, who received a warm welcome from his previous employers, sliced his first Horsham chance well wide of the goal but, minutes later, nearly opened his account for the yellow and greens when Lee Carney swung in a free-kick that was inches from connecting with Andrews’ head and former Hornets' custodian Alan Mansfield was able to smother the ball comfortably in the home goal.

Wayne Clarke’s cross was then turned into a shot by the heavy wind sweeping through the ground and Rob Tolfrey could only watch helplessly as  it clattered against the crossbar from a quick breakaway by the Rebels. Tony Nwachukwu showed once again why he is a valuable asset to John Maggs as he raced past Worthing's helpless left back who was given a torrid time by the Horsham youngster throughout the game. He sprinted to the touchline and produced a superb high cross towards the far post that was nearly met by Claude Seanla who seemed to have been pushed in the back and Clarke headed behind for a corner.

Horsham looked certain to break the deadlock as the game was edging towards half time when a Carney corner was cleared out to Nwachukwu who produced a fierce shot from 30 yards that had the concerned Mansfield scrambling across his goal to push the ball narrowly past the post. Carney was orchestrating Horsham’s midfield and his chipped ball over the defence saw Mark Knee head into the penalty area where the unmarked Andrews flicked on to new strike partner Pat Harding, on the penalty spot, but his shot was desperately blocked by two Worthing legs. Carney's corners were just as impressive and, when one of them found Acheampong towering above the Rebels defenders, Mansfield again came to his side's rescue by tipping the ball over the crossbar to ensure that the first half remained goalless.

H/T Worthing 0-0 Horsham

Although Horsham could consider themselves unfortunate not to be ahead at the interval, thanks to some fine saves from Mansfield, the second half proved to be a much different affair as John Maggs' side failed to register a single shot on target with Worthing enjoying most of the second half chances. Sam Page was withdrawn at the interval for his younger sibling Jack who slotted in to the midfield with Russell Eldridge filling the large hole in the centre of defence.

The visitors threatened early on but Mansfield rushed off of his line and cleared the ball to safety as Harding looked set to latch onto a ball through the Worthing defence. His clearance deceived the Horsham back four and was allowed to bounce, enabling Brotherton to get the better of Eldridge but Acheampong stepped in and was too strong for the Worthing front man whose weak shot trickled through for Tolfrey to collect.

However from the hosts' next chance, Eldridge was deemed to have pulled down Williamson in the penalty area and the linesman awarded the rebels a penalty kick. Brotherton stepped up and smashed the ball into the left hand corner of the net, giving Tolfrey no chance of keeping the scores level. Soon after breaking the deadlock, Worthing nearly extended their lead but Acheampong was on the line to prevent the ball from crossing over in to the net. Tolfrey was called into action twice in a very short space of time, rushing off of his line to prevent Brotherton from collecting his brace, the Hornets' 'keeper taking the pace off of the shot and Acheampong was again on the line to intercept the ball and clear it from danger.

Ben Johnson then tried to mimic Nwachukwu’s fierce drive from the first half to end any chance Horsham may have had of rescuing anything from this game but Tolfrey was stretching to his left and, in mid-flight, palmed it over the 'bar for a Worthing corner. Horsham’s best chance came from 17 year old Adam Hutchings when he ran onto a pass on the edge of the box but he failed to gain a decent connection with the ball and his left footed shot looped high and wide over the ball.

John Maggs will hope that his side improve in their next fixture, away to Shoreham on Thursday night. The Hornets' last visit to Middle Road ended in defeat as their youthful line-up was sent crashing out of the semi finals of the Brighton charity cup after extra time.

NEXT MATCH: v Shoreham (a) Thursday 23rd July ko 7.45pm