Worthing 3 Hemel Hempstead Town 1
M Dabre 29, O Pearce 33, K Wills 42 R Grant 45
Match Report by Allan Mitchell
Worthing away for the final game was always going to be a difficult task, as they were also already guaranteed a top four finish and a home tie in the first eliminator.
The home side were clearly in no mood to take it easy against the Tudors in front of an impressive crowd of over 1600 down on the South Coast. After a fairly even first half hour, they opened the scoring after a mistake at the back by Hemel, Mo Dabre making no mistake from close range. The Rebels went two in front just a couple of minutes later when they won a penalty for a foul that saw few objections from the Tudors. Ollie Pearce rifled the spot kick home despite David Saunders going the correct way, Pearce’s power taking the ball past the young Hemel keeper.
It was game over just before the interval when a cross from the left hand side was met by Kane Wills who slotted home to make it 3-0.
Right on the stroke of half time Hemel pulled a goal back when they played some good one touch football down the right, Montel McKenzie was able to race to the byline before crossing to an unmarked Reece Grant who headed home at the back post.
HT Worthing 3 Hemel 1
There was an improvement from the Tudors in the second period although it has to be said that Worthing did take their foot of the gas somewhat. The visitors certainly created the majority of the chances with Luke Holness coming closest when his shot from the edge of the box crashed against the crossbar.
Holness also brought a fine full length save out of Harrison Male right at the death. With that, the referee brought an end to proceedings and The Rebels impressive first season in the National League South.
Manager Brad Quinton said he was disappointed with the way his side finished but any relegation worries were addressed and as in the previous season, there was an outside sniff of a play-off place but it just wasn’t to be. The Tudors Boss said he would be talking to the players in the squad before deciding on who stays with us and who moves on. Its always a difficult time for everyone but he was looking forward to putting his own mark on the squad for the coming season.
Hemel: Saunders; McKenzie, Williams (J) Roberts, Westbrook (E Grant) O’Connor-Ajayi; Brown; Williams (G); Grant; Hughes (Holness); Bright (Castliglione) . Subs not used: Smith; Mukendi
Tudors Man of the Match: George Williams.
Attendance 1652