Worthing come into the fixture off the back of their biggest win of the season in the National League South, as they beat then-second-placed Maidstone United 5-1 in a dominant display at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.

Ollie Pearce continued his fine goalscoring form as he netted his second hat-trick in a fortnight to top the scoring charts in the division with 15 in total.

Pearce put the Rebels in front in the 15th minute as he neatly lifted the ball over goalkeeper Lucas Covolan who was rushing out, before tucking away the finish with ease.

Twenty minutes later, the Stones were reduced to ten men when Bivesh Gurung was given his marching orders after a horrific challenge on Odei Martin Sorondo. The Rebels made the extra man advantage count, scoring twice before halftime through Pearce and Danny Cashman to take a three-goal lead into the break.

The Stones made a game of it in the second half and got a goal back just after the hour mark as Matt Rush bundled it in. But, after introducing Michael Klass to firm things up in midfield, the Rebels kicked on and Pearce completed his hattrick to extend the lead back to three goals on 70 minutes.

Jake Robinson made his return from a hamstring injury and in typical fashion, scored with his only chance in added time to cap off a resounding victory for the Rebels.

Worthing climbed one place in the table to fifth with the victory and closed the gap to second place to just three points.

The Opposition

The Tudors have had a difficult time of late, losing all of their last five fixtures, most recently a 2-0 away defeat to Slough Town.

Hemel sit 17th in the league table, with 28 points from 23 games this season.

Form
19/12 – Slough Town (A) – Lost 2-0
16/12 – Torquay United (A) – Lost 3-2
13/12 – Havant & Waterlooville (A) – Lost 2-0
5/12 – Chippenham Town (H) – Lost 0-2
2/12 – Hampton & Richmond (A) – Lost 2-1
25/11 – Eastbourne Borough (H) – Won 1-0

Previous Meetings

The sides met earlier this season in the reverse fixture back in September. Joel Colbran salvaged a point for the Rebels against the ten-man Hemel on that occasion with a fantastic strike that rifled into the top right corner.

Last season, the sides were paired together on the final day of the season when the Rebels were 3-1 winners to secure a fourth-placed finish in the National League South.

The last time Hemel Hempstead were the winners in this fixture was back in September 1992 when they were 3-2 winners at Woodside Road.

Team News

Jake Robinson made his return to action last week, coming on as a substitute and scoring the final goal in the 5-1 demolition of Maidstone United. He will be available for more minutes this weekend in Hertfordshire.

New signing Udoka Chima suffered a hamstring injury which kept him out of the clash with the Stones and he will likely be out of contention for a place in the squad against the Tudors.

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased online at the link – https://www.hemelfc.com/event-details/hhtfc-v-worthing-1

• Adult: £15.00
• Concession: £10.00
• Under 18: £5.00

Alternatively, you can purchase tickets at the gate via cash or card.

Travel & Parking

By Road: Leave the M1 at Junction 8 and take the A414 towards Hemel Hempstead. Go straight across two roundabouts and then just after passing a large Travelodge Building on your right (where there is also a Toby Carvery) move over to the right hand filter lane to turn right across the dual carriageway into Leverstock Green Road. Continue straight along this road then immediately after crossing a mini roundabout, turn left into Vauxhall Road. Then turn right at the next roundabout for the ground entrance.

There is some parking at the ground, which costs £1, but it is normally full well before kick off. However there is plenty of street parking available in the surrounding streets.

By Rail: Hemel Hempstead Railway Station is located just over two and a half miles away from the ground and is a bit far to walk. There is a taxi rank outside the station and at the club itself (in the car park) is an office of a local taxi firm (Millennium Taxis) who can organise a car back to the station after the game has ended. The station is served by trains from London Euston. Alternatively, you can catch an Arriva Bus, see the Arriva website for timetables.

How to Follow

If you can’t make the game you can follow the game via the club’s official Twitter account, or through live commentary provided by rebelyell.live.