A remarkable second-half comeback saw Worthing win the Sussex Community Shield 5-4 on penalties following a 3-3 draw with Broadbridge Heath at Culver Road on Wednesday night.

Captain Finlay Chadwick was Worthing’s hero as he scored an extraordinary equaliser from deep within his own half before stepping up to score the winning penalty.

Broadbridge Heath dominated the first-half and led 3-1 at the break with goals from Faris Khallouqui, Ash Mutongerwa and Bradley Campbell.

Worthing were able to keep in touching distance with two penalties dispatched by Suk-jae Lee and Juan Luque before Chadwick produced his stunner to take the game to penalties.

The two teams fought hard in their first competitive games of the season, with the Sussex Community Shield being played in aid of the Sussex Disability Football League.

However, it was Broadbridge Heath that started the better of the two. Their energy and physicality seemed to take Worthing by surprise as they picked their moments to press, capitalising on any loose touch or pass.

Khallouqui was causing plenty of headaches for Worthing with his tenacity. Several times he was able to win the ball back high up the pitch to set up attacking situations, eventually resulting in the first goal of the game.

A throw-in from Worthing in their own half was pounced on by Khallouqui who raced towards goal with only one defender to beat, he shifted the ball onto his right foot and found the bottom left corner with a shot across goal.

Worthing were seeing plenty of the ball, but they were unable to work any meaningful chances when they got into the final third.

Broadbridge’s pressing continued to cause issues as a pass from Ettien Frimpong was intercepted by Jack Frankland on the halfway line with acres of space in front of him.

The right back exploited the mistake, driving into the box before finding an unmarked Mutongerwa at the back post for a tap-in.

Broadbridge were worthy of their lead, with Mutongerwa impressing upfront, his strength and hold up play provided a focal point for the midfield and wide players.

Worthing were gifted a way back into the game however, after a challenge from Frankland inside the area was given as a penalty.

Lee scored emphatically from the spot as his shot crashed into the inside of the post giving Broadbridge keeper Roshan Greensall no chance.

The goal triggered Broadbridge back to life as they looked to restore their two-goal lead before half-time.

Worthing were pinned back into their own area, and it looked like Broadbridge would score when Mutongerwa was played through one on one, but Worthing goalkeeper Faith Kaldam managed to block the shot.

Just as it looked like Worthing had held off the pressure, Broadbridge broke in behind their defence with Campbell’s sprinting on to a through ball and powering his strike past Kaldam.

The second-half though brought with it a change in fortunes for both teams, with Worthing the team that came out and imposed themselves physically on the game, pressing high up the pitch.

Chadwick epitomised their efforts in the second-half, putting in a combative and creative shift from the base of midfield.

They got their breakthrough when Frankland conceded another penalty, clipping Rocco Gamblin’s heels as he dribbled down the left-hand side of the area.

Second-half substitute Luque sent the keeper the wrong way after a stuttered run up.

Broadbridge’s Greensall was kept busy for the rest of the half as Worthing chased the equaliser.

In the end the decisive goal came in spectacular fashion, as, in 87th minute Chadwick received the ball midway through his own half, spotted the keeper off his line, and then launched a perfectly weighted shot that saw Greensall racing back towards his own goal. His efforts were in vain though, as he was unable to stop the shot landing in the back of the net.

Fans from both teams stood up to applaud as the young midfielder was mobbed by his teammates.

There was still time for further heroics from Chadwick, with the game going to penalties.

Marioa Quiasacca missed for Broadbridge leaving the Worthing captain to score the winning penalty and complete the comeback.

Worthing manager, Adam Hinshelwood, was delighted with his team’s performance in the second-half as they lifted the Sussex Community Shield for the first time since 1999.

He said: “I thought we were very placid in the first-half. I had to tell them, I know they are young, but you have to be honest with them and tell them we simply were not good enough at the start.

“We upped our intensity and our pressing and got ourselves back into the game because of that. I can’t be any more pleased for the players and their determination, the hard work that they showed in the second-half, it was brilliant and full credit goes to them.”

(Video highlights are available above and on YouTube - courtesy of Your Instant Replay)

(A selection of photographs can be found on Facebook - courtesy of Simon Roe Photography)

Stats (Worthing-Broadbridge Heath): Goals (3-3); Penalties (5-4); Shots (9-8); On Target (7-4); Corners (3-3); Offsides (2-1); Fouls (7-7); Yellow Cards (2-0); Red Cards (0-0).

Worthing: Kaldam, Jeanes, O’Brien, Cheverton, Frimpong, Lee, Chadwick, Starkey, Gamblin, Berry, Jammeh.
Subs: Jordan, Tillman, Kazlauskas, Dologhan, Luque.

Broadbridge Heath: Greensall, Frankland, Chesworth, Penfold, Scalley, Brackpool, Parmiter, Khallouqui, Mutongerwa, Lemon, Campbell.
Subs: Quiasacca, Weller, Webster, Doughty, Young.