Rebels relegated

WORTHING Football Club have been relegated from Ryman League Premier Division after a 2-1 home defeat to Harrow Borough on Saturday. Rebels will now start next season in Division 1 South.

In a must-win game, Worthing gave themselves an uphill task when they conceded the opener after just four minutes.

Albert Adomah threaded a pass through Worthing's defence which Elliott Onochie ran on to and he curled his effort home from 18 yards.

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Rebels failed to get into the game as an attacking force in the opening period and Harrow always looked the more likely to score. Only Andy Lutwyche's excellent last-ditch tackle denied Adomah from doubling Harrow's lead on 21 minutes.

Two minutes later, Harrow defender Daniel Leech headed Gary Meakin's corner wide from six yards.

Central midfielder Andy Alexander and striker James Fraser swapped positions on the half-hour mark and three minutes before half-time, Alexander should have equalised. Sam Francis' cross was punched clear by Harrow keeper Ashlee Jones only to Alexander eight yards out, but he blazed well over.

There was a change in referee at half-time when Steve Briffitt decided he could no longer continue owing to a wrist injury. Assistant-referee Anthony Foster took over in the middle.

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Great tackles by Lutwyche and Keehan and a superb save by Worthing keeper Rikki Banks denied Harrow at the beginning of the second period. But, on the hour, they did make it 2-0. Meakin found James Bent, who cut in from the left and shot past Banks into the far corner.

Within two minutes, Rebels made it 2-1 when captain Jamie Lawrence headed home Mark Knee's free kick.

Worthing striker Omari Coleman then missed two great chances to draw his side level. He was through one-on-one on 66 minutes but his tame effort came back off Jones onto him and went out for a goalkick.

Two minutes later, he headed Francis' excellent cross over from six yards.

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Alexander then glanced a header wide and Francis delayed his final shot too long but as the game entered the final 10 minutes, it was Harrow who looked the more likely to add to the scoring.

Worthing coach Paul Rogers said: "We've got relegated, not just today, but because of our performances throughout the season. We've lacked that bit of quality in both boxes.

"For a game of this importance, we just didn't get going in the first half. We had chances to get it back to 2-2 and two quick goals would have given us the momentum.

"It was a big game and I don't think everyone gave it their all. We were waiting for things to happen. Jamie Lawrence, the oldest player on the pitch, was showing the most enthusiasm.

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"After we had a good spell at Christmas, we've given oursleves an uphill task the last few weeks. We had a good win at Walton but then conceded in the last 30 seconds to only draw at Slough. We were on a role then and, had we held on, it could have been different.

"The Sussex Senior Cup final gives us something to look forward to. Everyone needs to show effort and commitment in the next two league games to show that they want to play in the final."

Worthing captain Jamie Lawrence said: "The performance wasn't good enough. But that's why we are where we are in the table.

"We weren't relegated by today's performance but it summed up our season in the way that we gave away two sloppy goals."

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WORTHING: Banks; J.Keehan, Axten, Lutwyche, Simpson; Francis, Lawrence, Alexander, Knee; Coleman, Fraser. Subs: Lawley, Brotherton (Keehan, Simpson 61), Day, Rogers, Hunter gk.

For full match report plus more reaction from Rogers and Lawrence and Worthing boss Danny Bloor, see this week's Worthing Herald.