Worthing manager Adam Hinshelwood admitted his side committed “woeful finishing” after being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at home to Maidenhead United. A result that does little to ease concerns they may be slipping off the pace in the National League South title race.
The Rebels were presented with a golden opportunity to make up ground after league leaders Dorking Wanderers were held to a 1-1 draw by Chelmsford City on Tuesday night. But Worthing failed to capitalise, leaving them six points adrift of the summit in third place and having played a game more than the leaders.
It could yet prove to be a costly missed opportunity, particularly with a chasing pack beginning to gather momentum behind them.
Maidstone United, Chelmsford City, Weston-super-Mare and Chesham United all sit within six points of Worthing, while Chelmsford, Weston and Chesham each have games in hand as the battle for the playoff places intensifies.
Tuesday’s stalemate will be especially frustrating for Hinshelwood, whose side played the final 25 minutes against ten men after Maidenhead’s skipper, Will De Havilland, was sent off.
Despite dominating possession and creating several clear opportunities, Worthing were unable to find the breakthrough.
Hinshelwood did not hold back when assessing his side’s finishing.
“Our finishing today… I think we’re six yards out and putting it over the bar time and time again or straight down the goalkeeper’s throat,” he said.
“When crosses do go into a good area, it’s always their head that gets on the end of it. We’ve got to show more grit, determination and more quality when we’re in front of goal.”
Maidenhead arrived at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium boasting one of the strongest defensive records in the division, having conceded just 32 goals, and Hinshelwood felt their resilience was clear to see as they battled for a point.
“You can see why they’ve got the best defensive record in the league. With ten men, their resolve and determination to defend their goal was excellent. That’s their real identity, keeping the ball out of their net and making it difficult.”
Worthing pushed hard in the closing stages but lacked composure in key moments, with Hinshelwood urging his players to remain patient rather than forcing the issue.
“You’ve got to keep your heads and keep doing the right things,” he added. “Not get sucked into just resorting to getting it in the box.”
There were positives for the Rebels to take, however. Goalkeeper Taylor recorded another clean sheet, his second in three matches, while the result extended Worthing’s unbeaten home run to 14 games. But Hinshelwood admitted those positives did little to mask the sense of frustration at another missed chance to tighten the title race.
As the season enters its decisive stretch, Worthing may need to rediscover their ruthless edge quickly – or risk seeing both the title challenge and their playoff position come under increasing pressure.
