The stakes were high prior to kick-off. Although unlikely, there was still a chance for Worthing to finish at the summit of the National League South table while Enfield needed a point to guarantee their survival.

It was an evenly-contested opening 10 minutes with the condition of the pitch causing issues in possession for both sides.

Enfield top scorer Sam Youngs audaciously tried to chip the returning Chris Haigh after a mix-up at the back, but the stopper dealt with the danger astutely.

Despite the score remaining goalless in north London, the home faithful erupted on three separate occasions in the opening stages. News had filtered around the Dave Bryant Stadium that league leaders Truro City had raced into 3-0 lead in Cornwall against St. Albans – a score-line that would guarantee Enfield’s safety.

The contest devolved into a scrappy affair with neither side able to keep hold off the ball. Nicky Wheeler registered Worthing’s first shot on target which was blocked by the outstretched foot of goalkeeper Joe Wright.

Midway through the first half, Wheeler troubled Wright once again. The winger cut inside before arrowing a shot towards the bottom corner, but the opposition stopper was well positioned to push it out for a corner.

Minutes later, former Enfield man Mo Faal tried his luck from range, although his driving effort swerved straight into the grasp of the ‘keeper.

Temi Babalola then headed into the back of the net only for referee Dan England to rule the goal out. The official deemed that the striker had unfairly challenged Adam Thompson, much to the dismay of Babalola.

Just before the break, the Rebels broke the deadlock. Wheeler delivered another dangerous corner towards the back post where Glen Rea was left in acres of space. The midfielder effortlessly headed past Wright to give the visitors the advantage going into the interval. A second goal in three games for our number 15 following his strike on Good Friday away to Eastbourne Borough.

After the restart, the Rebels carried over their momentum from the first half and instantly searched for a second. Jack Spong burst into the box before being tripped by Enfield skipper Mickey Parcell and the referee pointed to the spot without hesitation.

In Danny Cashman’s absence, Spong assumed the responsibility of taking the pressured kick from 12 yards out. The diminutive midfielder sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and coolly found the opposite corner to double the advantage.

On the hour mark, Chris Agutter’s side extended their lead to three. A raking pass from Sam Packham was delightfully cushioned into the path of Faal by the head of Spong. The 6’5 forward composed himself before drilling a strike that arrowed into the bottom corner. A fantastic finish against his former club.

Joel Colbran almost grabbed our fourth of the afternoon but inexplicably sent a header straight into Wright’s gloves from a few yards out.

Faal was in the mood for another in the capital and proceeded to produce a very late contender for ‘Goal of the Season’. From an acute angle, Faal accurately volleyed in an unstoppable hit that flew over the head of the helpless Wright and nestled into the side-netting. A goal that defies description and was eerily similar to his strike against Torquay earlier on in the campaign. Worthing were four goals in front and in firm control.

On his return between the sticks, Chris Haigh wasn’t able to preserve his clean sheet. Billy Leonard broke clear down the right flank and crossed into the middle where Cian Dillon tapped in the consolation.

Henry Hawkins then hit the crossbar with a towering header before Liam Nash capped off a five-star display with a sensational 30-yard free-kick in second-half stoppage-time. The substitute caught out the goalkeeper, who was expecting the forward to cross into the middle, by expertly bending an effort into the back of the net.

Dan England blew his whistle for the final time to signal the conclusion of a breathless affair.

Results around the rest of the league meant the Rebels finished the season in fourth position and only a solitary point off the summit. A play-off eliminator fixture at home to Maidstone United awaits Chris Agutter and his players on Wednesday evening.