The final full weekend of the non-league calendar and plenty on the line. Despite quite a few clubs having titles, promotions or relegations confirmed prior to the last weekend there was much to still get your teeth into and keep your eyes on, in some cases watch history unfold.
All three National League divisions went to the final day as two horse races, the preview of which I posted up this time last week and a 90 minutes that none of the six sides involved could take their foot off the gas.
Two aiming for a return to the Football League, three aiming for the National League for the first time and one aiming for an instant return to the top of the non-league game.
Worthing FC I’ve watched many a times over the 20 odd years I’ve lived in Sussex, watching them rise from Step 4 to the brink of non-league’s top table only to fall short three years running in the play-offs.
This time last year they were one of six sides who could have won the title on the final day but ended up missing out and losing in the eliminators to end the season a few days later.
The return of Adam Hinshelwood after Chris Agutter left for Sutton Utd in early October saw the Rebels move convincingly up the table to the top, but an eight game run without a win derailed things for a while but the last Saturday of the season Worthing were top and needing to match or better Hornchurch’s result against Maidenhead.
The visitors to the Sussex Transport Community Stadium were Ebbsfleet Utd, themselves able to finish as high as third if they won and results went their way but remarkably able to finish outside the play-offs if those results flipped, plenty riding on this one for sure.
With the day being about history being made it began with breakfast just outside Worthing station with Pete Stone and Aarran Racine amongst others. For those of you unaware, Pete’s had a spell as chairman of the Rebels where our friendship comes from and a great supporter of what I do.
Aarran really needs no introduction, a part of the Worthing fabric and it’s wonderful to be in the company of these guys. To cap that, standing with one of your best mates to watch the match unfold, Gareth Spinks was there to share in anything that was about to happen, a guy whose watched since when a handful over 100 were inside Woodside Road to the present day a record 4002 packed inside.
The Sussex sunshine prevailed, the crowd was filling up superbly well, the stage was ready, the scene was set, 90 minutes, win the game and with it promotion to the National League for the first time in the club’s history.
The nerves and the tension you could feel around and on the pitch, Fleet started the better of the two sides and possibly should have been in front with a bit better quality and composure but Worthing slowly got a foothold in the game and took control.
The scores were being kept updated, very few in the South itself, the main emphasis on Hornchurch of course but also the other two title races playing out at the same time.
It appeared we were going into half time goal less, chances for the Rebels but none really clear cut or troubling the Fleet keeper. But then, a moment out of nothing pretty much, Joe Cook strolling forward but untouched and played a ball into Razzaq Coleman Da-Graft.
His effort ricocheted back to Cook who from 18 yards out unleashed a thunderbolt into the roof of the net, Woodside Road erupting and the nerves now seemingly settled.
What was actually poignant at that moment was two ladies came and stood behind us just before kick-off, they actually wanted seats over the other seats but couldn’t get in.
Gaz and I chatted to them throughout the game, and they turned out to be Joe Cook’s mum and girlfriend, to share that moment with them was something else really, the pride and elation in both of them when that ball hit the back of the net was just a joy.
There were a few tweaks I felt Adam Hinshelwood could make at half time, a lack of a left winger sent everything down the right or pumped up to Brad Dolaghan who wasn’t getting any change out of the Fleet centre halves, the centre of midfield not clicking and losing every second ball.
But the second half began as you were and within eight minutes some breathing space. Skipper Joel Colbran won the ball just inside his own half and fed Coleman Da-Graft in acres of space, the winger was allowed to stride forward and sent a dipping, soaring effort past Hall for number two.
With the need for points themselves Ebbsfleet had to change tack and Josh Wright made a host of attacking substitutions leaving massive gaps at the back and Worthing could easily have had another three in the net, Coleman Da-Graft managing to hit the outside of the near post with only Hall to beat the stand out one.
With the other result now irrelevant it was just a matter of playing out time and when the final whistle blew, the inevitable pitch invasion confirmed Worthing were National League South champions and promoted to the National League top division for the first time in history.
Results went against the Fleet and they missed out on the top seven altogether finishing ninth, pretty unacceptable for them given a very good budget.
But the day was all about the Rebels, some steady performances along the way with Coleman Da-Graft standing out but man of the match for me was Sam Beard.
Excellent in the tackle, composed, equally good defending and going forward I’ve known Beardy for some time and his family due to his time at Barnet.
Some of you may not know I used to write for Worthing’s website a few years ago and whilst knowing Hinsh and George Dowell since those days there has been many more along the way I’ve gotten to know.
Calvin Buckland needs a mention for the work he did alongside George when they stabilised the club, these are the days they worked hard for and laid the foundations.
Barry Hunter succeeded Pete Stone as chairman, both should get the pats on the back for starting the journey and continuing it onwards to non-league’s top table, both stand up guys who I enjoy being in the company of.
And to friends who I joined some six years ago to start off the podcasting journey I’m still on. Peter Vale and James Easton, the boys of commentary and Rebel Yell and co-founders of the Premier Non League Podcast along with myself and two other from Horsham way, we’ve seen the full highs and lows of Worthing Football Club in that time.
Sadly, Pete of course is no longer with us but I hope he enjoyed that on Saturday afternoon from wherever he’s watching on from, James and I spent the rest of the day celebrating together from mid-afternoon, through the after party and more, home by Sunday!
To have been able to capture every single moment was something else, 12 months ago I was celebrating Barnet’s return to the Football League, a record 4th time for them and first Bees side to 100 points, this year another promotion and one that will live long in the memory banks, but most importantly the company of friends I have, made the day that little more special.
