CHAMPIONS CHASING THE DOUBLE CENTURY
WORTHING manager Adam Hinshelwood called it “a long time coming” as Worthing secured the league title many believe they were denied by the disruption of the Covid years.
Hinshelwood was quick to praise his players, telling The NLP: “The professionalism they’ve shown for three years is phenomenal.
“In lockdown they wanted to come in even though they weren’t being paid and just full credit to them.
“Full credit to them. They have been exceptional.
Ollie Pearce opened the scoring with his 34th goal of the season, prompting Hinshelwood to say: “Anyone that scores that amount of goals is an important player.
“He’s tucked them away at vital times for us this year and it was the same today.”
And seven minutes from the end, Jasper Pattenden completed the victory.
Unsurprisingly, Worthing dominated possession from the outset against a Bowers side allbut-safe from relegation.
And the Rebels thought they were ahead on 33 minutes when Callum Kealy fired home at the second attempt, only for the goal to be swiftly ruled out for handball against Kealy himself.
Worthing weren’t to be denied a half-time lead though. And three minutes before the break,
Pearce hooked home Aaron Racine’s headed knockdown from eight yards.
The Rebels completely dominated second half possession with Bowers rarely threatening.
Bowers keeper Mitchell Beeney produced a smart save to deny Pearce a second of the afternoon.
But moments later, Worthing had their second when Pattenden cut in from the left and curled a cross-cum-shot past attackers and defenders alike into the bottom corner.
This sent Worthing fans wild, and seven minutes later the fulltime whistle blew, confirming the Rebels as champions.
Hinshelwood, though, has another target.
“One hundred goals and 100 points would be phenomenal,” he said. “I read a book about when Manchester City did it. It would be incredible to try and do that.”
STAR MAN: Ollie Pearce (Worthing)
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