FOOTBALL: Rebels' play-off curse continues

After Worthing had lost in the Ryman League Division 1 South play-off semi-finals for the past two seasons, there was more expectation than hope that this was going to be third time lucky.

After all, Rebels have played some outstanding football under Simon Colbran this season and had beaten Godalming twice in the league.

But they never reached top gear on Tuesday, gifted Godalming their opening goal and then gave away a penalty '“ the fifth they have conceded in 10 games '“ for the winner.

Talks will need to begin soon about making sure Colbran, his assistant Simon McMenemy and the majority of the players return for another promotion push next season.

At the moment, though, the majority of the 551 crowd will still be feeling numb that Godalming, not Rebels, are heading to the play-off final on Saturday at Folkestone.

Godalming were gifted the lead on Tuesday when Glen Woodburn's header back did not reach keeper Alan Mansfield and Graeme Purdy nipped in to toe-poke the ball home on 21 minutes.

Rebels were restricted to half-chances in the opening period and Godalming kept their advantage heading into half-time. Worthing twice had opportunities to level early in the second period but Godalming keeper Rodney Chiweshe kept out Ben Williamson's effort and then Williamson side-footed wide from point-blank range, with the goal gaping, after excellent work by Chamal Fenelon.

A couple of outstanding stops by Mansfield and a superb goal-line clearance from Jamie Groves ensured Godalming did not double their lead and Rebels levelled with 17 minutes left.

Luke Denton's pass forward found Fenelon, who brilliantly turned his marker, and unleashed an unstoppable low left-foot drive into the far corner.

It was Godalming who had the better opportunities to get the winner in normal time, though.

Chances were few and far between in extra-time until an excellent run by Godalming winger Phil Williams, who beat three challenges, was only ended when Woodburn tripped him in the penalty area.

There were no complaints about the spot-kick and Glenn Stanley fired it into the top left-hand corner.

Worthing huffed and puffed for an equaliser after that but a well-organised Godalming side stood firm and they could have won even more handsomely had Mansfield not twice denied Williams.

Rebels' fans all stayed behind to applaud the team's effort afterwards and Colbran said: "I've said to all the players, a lot of whom are young, that they've all got big futures.

"They're feeling really down now but they've got to look back at how good they have been.

"The performance didn't quite happen tonight. Maybe we tried too hard as we were very tense. It just wasn't to be.

"I've no complaints about the penalty '“ it was blatant. It's just pretty ironic that, with all the penalty decisions given against us recently, that we go and lose to one."

WORTHING: Mansfield; Denton, Axten, Woodburn, Groves; Brotherton, Kennett, Woodford, Johnson; Fenelon, Williamson. Subs: Pitt (Brotherton 45), Patton (Woodford 58), Farmer (Denton 102), Archibald, Akehurst. Att: 551.

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