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Whyteleafe surrendered an early lead to be overwhelmed by a rampant Worthing side who dominated the second half, inflicting Leafe's second successive league defeat.
Missing his normal strike duo Paul Scott and Denva McKenzie, manager Stuart Massey turned to local former Crystal Palace forward Andrew Martin to return to Whyteleafe from Maidstone United, partnered up front by the versatile Asher Hudson.
Leafe started the brightest and in the 7th minute it was Martin who opened the scoring, meeting a Steve MacNamara corner to head into the top corner.
Worthing's left-back Chris O'Flaherty came up through the Whyteleafe Junior and Youth ranks and was a first team regular last season before making his move to the south coast. He and young striker Jamie Brotherton who had an impressive loan spell at Leafe last term were prominent on the night and it was Brotherton who ran down the right on 18 minutes, skipping past skipper Ali Reeve and forced a last ditch clearance by Adam Broomhead. Up to the break an even game was fought mainly in midfield with no further chances for either team.
After the break Worthing took command of the game and ran out resounding winners. On 46 minutes Nicky Greene was forced to head a goal bound shot around the post and just four minutes later Worthing equalised when Scott Kirkwood headed home a precision O'Flaherty free-kick.
Asher Hudson impressed in his unfamiliar role up front and in the 55th minute managed to turn and shoot from 25 yards the ball just clearing the cross bar whilst keeper Mansfield looked on.
On the hour Worthing took the lead when captain Paul Kennett converted a penalty after the lively Brotherton had been tripped in the area. Whyteleafe tried to rally, a strong MacNamara run and shot blocked for a corner and Jason Goodchild heading wide from the resultant corner when placed to do better.
The victory was made sure with ten minutes to go as Brotherton used his pace and trickery down the right once again before cutting inside and unleashing a magnificent shot over keeper Rob Tolfrey from 20 yards. To rub further salt in the wounds it was O'Flaherty who made it four with another trademark free-kick that cleared both the defence and Tolfrey to drop into the top corner of the net.
Whyteleafe now have a short break, the visit of Cray Wanderers on Saturday put back due to their FA Trophy progress, before a tough visit to perennial under-achievers Dulwich Hamlet next Tuesday. Manager Massey will be pondering how to turn around the recent drop in form and confidence of his team.
Whyteleafe: Tolfrey, Hudson, MacNamara, Reeve, Broomhead, Goodchild, Green, Kabongo, Patterson-Bohner, Martin, Greene. Subs not used: Jabbie, King, Riley, Algar.
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