Men
National League South Sat 29 April The Crucial Environmental Stadium
Worthing
  • Dabre (29')
  • Pearce (33')
  • Wills (42')
3
Hemel Hempstead
  • Grant (45')
1
3-1

Worthing came into the final league fixture of the season off the back of a successful week, securing their spot in the play-offs before earning a place in the Sussex Senior Cup final just 24 hours later.

Hemel most recently played out a goalless draw against Chelmsford City in their final home game of the campaign.

Adam Hinshelwood included Dan Bowry and Ollie Pearce back in his starting eleven as the Rebels looked to earn themselves a home play-off tie.

It was a scrappy, stop-start half-hour before the Rebels clicked into gear. Pearce fed through Mo Dabre around the corner and the midfielder had all the time he needed and calmly slotted past keeper David Saunders for 1-0.

One became two less than five minutes later after Reece Meekums was brought down in the area. Pearce stepped up after the referee pointed to the spot and made no mistake from 12 yards, finding the top right corner with his penalty.

The Rebels, now well in their groove, made it three when Liam Vincent’s cross was turned in on the volley by Kane Wills from close range.

Hemel got themselves a goal back just before the break as Reece Grant turned in from inside the six-yard box after a nice flowing move down the right.

After a quiet start to the second half, Hinshelwood turned to his bench for the fresh legs of Ibby Akanbi in the 63rd minute. He replaced Davide Rodari.

The best chance of the half came in the 71st minute when Meekums capitalised on a loose pass from the back by Saunders. The forward advanced at goal but Saunders made a strong save to make up for his mistake.

In the final minute, Pearce was replaced by Mo Jammeh.

It was very much a typical last game of the season in the second half, with Hemel sitting in midtable and the Rebels’ sights set on an important couple of weeks in the play-offs and a cup final to look forward to.

The Rebels finish in a commendable 4th place in their first season at step 6 and welcome Braintree Town to Woodside in the Eliminator in the Play-offs on Wednesday night.