Worthing's National League South title bid goes to dramatic final week

At one stage the Rebels led at the Gallagher Stadium – Wiktor Makowski giving them a 13th minute lead – and Dorking, the only side who could still have caught them had they won, were losing at home to Bath.

But a Stones equaliser on the half-hour set Worthing back and the home side got a second on 69 minutes. The Rebels fought hard for an equaliser but it would not come, meaning a nervous final day.

It was Hornchurch who made the most of that Rebels setback to earn a 3-1 win at Chippenham that leaves them just one point behind Adam Hinshelwood’s side with one each to play.

Dorking lost to Bath City to end the afternoon still three points behind Worthing, while Hemel’s win at Torquay knocks the Gulls out of the equation and leaves Hemel three points behind Worthing but with a far inferior goal difference that means they will not overhaul the Rebels.

And so it goes to next Saturday – Worthing host Ebbsfleet and Hornchurch are at home to Maidenhead. Worthing’s goal difference is +45 and the Urchins have only +17 – which means a draw for the Rebels next Saturday would be enough if Hornchurch fail to win.

It means an agonising week for Worthing fans, players and staff to wait for title d-day – and see if Hinshelwood’s team can win the league and avoid what would be a fourth successive season in the National South play-offs. Their home form is superb and will give them great hope they can get the job done in front of another Woodside Road sellout crowd.

Elsewhere, Littlehampton Town could have been relegated from the Isthmian SC division but are not down yet – after their match at home to Hayes and Yeading was abandoned at half-time.

Golds were 2-1 down at the break – Josh Short having scored their goal.

One fan who was at The Sportsfield said there were incidents as the players left the field at half-time and things spilled out of the tunnel area, with spectators also involved. He said he believed the referee abandoned the game for his own safety but this has not been confirmed.

Littlehampton Town said on X: “Today’s game against Hayes & Yeading was abandoned by the referee at half-time following an incident between both sets of players in the tunnel. We are in discussion with the league and will update in due course.”

The no-result leaves Littlehampton four points from safety but with two games still to play.

On Sunday there was further news about the abandoned game when the Golds said on X: “Following yesterday’s abandonment the Isthmian League have ordered the fixture to be replayed in full on Tuesday night at The Sportsfield, 7.45pm KO. The game is to be played behind closed doors.”

In the Isthmian SE division, it looks bleak for Hassocks after a 2-0 defeat at home to Sittingbourne. The Robins are two points below Sheppey – who they’d have to overhaul to stay up – so James Westlake’s side will need to win at Ashford next Saturday and hope that Sheppey don’t win at second-placed AFC Croydon.

But Hastings United are safe – David Altendorff’s men made absolutely certain of another Isthmian SE season with a 1-1 draw at home to Herne Bay, Max Walsh their scorer.

The Southern Combination title race also goes to the final day – Steyning Town beat Peacehaven 2-0 and Haywards Heath won 4-3 versus Newhaven to take it to the last weekend, but Steyning have a three-point lead. They visit Seaford next Saturday – needing only a point – while Haywards Heath Town go to Eastbourne United.