Worthing secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Hornchurch at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium, with a solitary goal from Ricky Aguiar proving decisive in this English National League encounter. The home side started brightly and were rewarded early on, before withstanding a much-improved Hornchurch performance after the break.
The opening stages of the match saw Worthing assert themselves, and their pressure paid off in the sixth minute. Cory Adjetey-Brew drove forward before sending a pass beyond the Hornchurch defence, with Charley Kendall controlling the ball superbly and delivering low from the left side of the area. Ricky Aguiar arrived to side-foot home from close range, giving the hosts an early lead. Worthing continued to create opportunities, with Ashley Nathaniel-George going close to doubling their advantage in the 24th minute after Joel Colbran’s dangerous delivery across goal.
Hornchurch looked to respond to the early setback but found clear-cut opportunities difficult to come by against a resolute Worthing defence during the opening period. As the first half drew to a close, the intensity of the contest was evident, with Henry Sandat shown a yellow card in the 45th minute for a foul as Worthing took their slender advantage into the interval.
The second half began with Hornchurch showing a renewed sense of urgency, with Josh Walker introduced for Henry Hearn at the break. The substitute quickly made an impact, producing the visitors’ first effort of the half with a low drive that was gathered by Worthing goalkeeper Taylor Seymour. Hornchurch gradually began to take control of proceedings and created a series of opportunities to restore parity.
Seymour was called upon to make a crucial save around the hour mark after Jack Powell’s free-kick rebounded back to the midfielder, allowing him to deliver into the area for Ryan Inniss, whose downward header was turned over the crossbar. The Worthing goalkeeper was required again just minutes later when Sandat’s low delivery found Walker inside the six-yard box, with Seymour reacting well to turn his goalward flick around the post.
Worthing, meanwhile, were increasingly required to manage their narrow advantage as Hornchurch applied pressure. Aaron Rowe was shown a yellow card in the 50th minute, before goalscorer Ricky Aguiar also entered the referee’s book in the 58th minute. Despite enjoying less attacking success during this period, Worthing’s defensive organisation frustrated the visitors and prevented them from turning their second-half momentum into an equaliser.
As the match entered its final stages, Hornchurch made further changes, bringing on Nathan Ferguson for Tom Wraight in the 78th minute before Dominic Poleon replaced Aaron Rowe in the 87th. Worthing responded with a double substitution in the 82nd minute, introducing Dominic Hutchinson and Sam Packham for Ashley Nathaniel-George and Cory Adjetey-Brew respectively as they looked to see out the contest.
Hornchurch continued to search for an equaliser, but Worthing’s defence held firm. The hosts made two further late substitutions, with Jordan Young replacing Jack Wadham in stoppage time and Ollie Godziemski coming on for Charley Kendall shortly afterwards. Neither side was able to add to the scoring, and the final whistle confirmed a 1-0 victory for Worthing in front of 1,657 supporters.
The result gave Worthing their first league victory of September and ended a run of four National League matches without a win, while also securing their second clean sheet of the campaign. For Hornchurch, the defeat was their third consecutive league loss without scoring, following defeats against Forest Green Rovers and FC Halifax Town, despite a much-improved second-half performance at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
