A sell-out crowd is anticipated at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium on Sunday afternoon as Worthing and Maidstone United battle it out for a place in the National League South play-off final.
Over 3,000 people are expected to be in attendance for one of the most mouth watering ties in this year’s play-offs. The Rebels are appearing at this stage for the second successive year whilst the Stones are aiming to return to the top division at the first time of asking.
The league meetings between the two sides have resulted in home wins for both sides, Maidstone winning 4-0 at the Gallagher Stadium and Worthing running out 5-1 winners in West Sussex.
Despite their FA Cup run threatening to derail the campaign, George Elokobi’s side recovered well and missed out on the top three by just a single point after a run of five wins from the final six matches.
They are coming up against a side that themselves got back in the race for promotion after losing long serving manager Adam Hinshelwood to York City in February. Aarran Racine has led his side to six straight wins at the back end of the season and Worthing are the form team in these play off’s.
The hosts possess the league’s top scorer in Ollie Pearce with a remarkable 40 goals so far this season whilst Brad Dolaghan has recently come into the side to add more firepower alongside his strike partner, the team having plundered a remarkable 104 goals.
However, they are susceptible to conceding on a regular basis while scoring plenty and that is something the Stones will be looking to take advantage of. The Rebels have shipped four goals or more on nine occasions this season, Maidstone will sense that if they go behind or even by two goals, chances will be there to get back into the game.
In Sam Corne they possess a leader with drive from midfield. A cool, calm head that won’t let his side be pulled all over the pitch and they also have within their ranks match winners.
Mo Faal is a proven player at this level, coming off the bench to grab the very late winner on Tuesday night against Aveley to send the Stones into this semi-final. The Rebels themselves know all about their former keeper Lucas Covolan while George Fowler and Sol Wanjau-Smith will hope to stand out for the visitors.
Here’s how two of the Real EFL pundits see the game panning out.
Trevor Knell
“With both sides in excellent form at the back end of the season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a tight game. It also wouldn’t surprise to see the pendulum swing back and forth throughout the 90 minutes.
“There should be a glut of chances for strikers on both sides to make their mark. Expect Ollie Pearce to find the net at least once during the afternoon and his eye for goal should give the edge to the expectant Rebels.”
Worthing 3-1 Maidstone United
Ivan Newsome
“With a place in the National League South play-off final at stake, nerves will no doubt be present for both sides. Maidstone have been in a position like this many times before, something which cannot exactly be said for Worthing. Experience will count for a lot in this, however a packed out Sussex Transport Community Stadium should benefit the Rebels.
“We’ve been treated to plenty of goals this season in their two meetings, with Maidstone wining their home fixture in September 4-0 prior to perhaps even more impressively winning 5-1 in December, a result which really showed the quality of the current squad.
“Goals can be expected but I don’t see it being as one-sided as their two previous encounters. Worthing seem to be riding a huge wave of momentum currently and the extra rest they’ve had from not playing midweek further helps their cause.”
Worthing 3-2 Maidstone United
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