Worthing hosts Braintree in the National League South playoff semi-final at Woodside Road.
This match has been described as the biggest game in Worthing's 138-year history, as the Rebels look to gain promotion to the National League for the first time in their history. Tickets went on sale last week and sold out after two minutes with promotion fever sweeping the coastal town.
Despite losing Adam Hinshelwood to York late on the season, Worthing ended the season in tremendous form, winning their last six league games of the season, before defeating Maidstone United with a dramatic last-minute winner.
After finishing third in the league, Worthing would only have a home final if Chelmsford lost their semi-final. A packed-out Woodside Road welcomes both teams on bank holiday Monday.
Worthing were by far the most entertaining team in the league, scoring 104 goals but conceding 72, for an average of 3.82 goals per game.
Ollie Pearce was fundamental for the Rebels, scoring a whopping 42 goals this season, including a brace in the semi-final triumph. The Worthing squad is brimming with talent, with players such as Jack Spong and Danny Cashman playing many leagues below their actual ability and 19-year-old academy graduate Brad Dolaghan scoring seven goals in ten appearances.
The Iron finished fifth in the league, three points and two places behind Saturday's hosts. Angelo Harrop's side ended the season with a disappointing home loss to Eastbourne Borough, halting a run of five games undefeated. It was an untypical Braintree Town performance, conceding three goals. Still, Iron ended the season with the league's best defence, only conceding 42 goals.
Angelo Harrop is relatively new to the managerial game and, at the age of 35, is sure to have many suitors after his side's strong performances this season. In his first season, he led Braintree to a seventh-place finish, before losing to Worthing away in the playoff quarter-finals. Braintree were strong at home, boasting the best defensive record and the third most points. They extended this impressive home record, edging last Bath 1-0 after extra time in the quarter-final. They showed their resilience and quality by edging past Chelmsford in the Semi-Final, despite conceding twice in extra time.
Braintree had the beating of Worthing twice this season, winning 4-0 at home, before grinding out a 0-1 away win. Last year's quarter-final playoff will allow
Worthing play on the front foot regardless of the occasion or the opponent. The Rebels overload the flanks and look to supply talisman Ollie Pearce with crosses. Therefore, they manage to force a lot of corners from their opponents. Aaran Racine's side are averaging 7.61 home corners per game, significantly higher than the 4.70 they average away.
While Braintree are only conceding 4.39 per game, Worthing should look to dominate from minute one in front of a sold-out home crowd.
Prediction: Over 5.5 Worthing Corners @1.90
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