Never in doubt: How Worthing eased past Ebbsfleet to wrap up title and promotion

Joe Cook put the Rebels in front just before half-time with a brilliant first-time hit, before Razzaq Coleman De-Graft’s solo effort after the interval lifted the roof off the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.

A one-sided second half eased the Rebels on their way to being crowned champions of the National League South.

Ebbsfleet arrived at Woodside Road looking to cement their place in the play-offs, with Josh Wright making one change to his Fleet starting XI following their 4-0 win over Hampton and Richmond Borough last weekend as Ben Chapman stepped in for Finlay Barnes.

Adam Hinshelwood’s final team selection of the 2025/26 regular season saw three changes across the matchday squad.

Brad Dolaghan, who scored in the Rebels’ 2-1 win away at Ebbsfleet in the reverse fixture, returned to the XI alongside Sam Packham who took the place of the suspended Jack Spong. George Cox was also named amongst the substitutes for the home side.

It took nine minutes for either goalkeeper to be tested following a nervy start to proceedings, with the hosts’ first move into the opposition penalty area finding Coleman De-Graft inside the box.

The winger wriggled towards the touchline on the left side of the penalty area before fizzing a low effort across his body which required Fleet ‘keeper Matt Hall to kick the ball to safety.

The visitors promptly responded with their first real effort on the Worthing goal, as a short corner allowed right-back Charlie Seaman the chance to drift infield and set his sights on goal. The home support held its breath momentarily as Seaman whipped his effort towards Taylor Seymour’s left post, yet the strike curled marginally past the post.

Worthing were dealt an almighty scare with just under seven minutes to play before the half when Seymour’s ball forward was headed straight back towards danger into the path of Chapman. Onside with just the ‘keeper to beat, Chapman’s snapshot effort cannoned straight into Seymour’s midriff and out of harm’s way.

Hinshelwood’s side began to turn up the pressure with the interval approaching, and would come up with the crucial opener in the 41st minute courtesy of an excellent strike by Cook.

Making a customary darting run inside, Coleman De-Graft eventually took on the strike on his left side which was blocked. Pouncing on the rebound just inside the box was Cook, who rifled a first-time shot into the roof of the net at the near post.

Any early trepidation in the Worthing performance at the start of the game looked to have vanished having found the opener, with the hosts stepping out with confidence after the restart in their search to put the result beyond doubt.

In the 53rd minute, Coleman De-Graft added to his illustrious showreel for the campaign in the most important moment of the season by doubling the home side’s advantage in style.

Skipping past the challenge of Ben Coker on the right flank, the former Hornchurch man drove the ball forward to position himself at the edge of the box, before lashing an effort goalward which dipped underneath the crossbar and beyond the reach of Hall.

Ten minutes after doubling the hosts’ advantage, Coleman De-Graft spurned a gilt-edged opportunity to get his second and Worthing’s third of the afternoon.

A liquid passage from left to right exposed the Ebbsfleet backline, with intelligent play from Young to let the ball roll past him presenting Coleman De-Graft with just the ‘keeper to beat. Unchallenged with all the time in the world, the wide-man rolled the ball off the foot of Wood’s left post.

Any eyes on scores elsewhere were soon fixated on a dominant second half showing from the Reds, who could have at least doubled their lead with the amount of chances they created, with the visitors ultimately powerless to overturn the Worthing lead.

A disappointing end to the season for Ebbsfleet, whose play-off hopes were extinguished with other results going against them around the grounds.

The full-time whistle ignited jubilant scenes at Woodside Road, with players and fans united on the pitch in celebration of a hard-fought & long-awaited promotion to the National League.