REBELS BOSS HAS A CAUSE FOR CAUTION
AARRAN RACINE admits he is not looking beyond Maidstone United as Worthing look to make it second time lucky in the National League South play-offs.
The Rebels sold all tickets for their semi-final at home to FA Cup heroes the Stones on Wednesday and over 3,000 fans are expected to pack into the Sussex Transport Community Stadium as they look to take a step closer to Step 1.
The West Sussex club have never played in NonLeague’s top flight and their first campaign at Step 2 ended at the semi-final stage last season, beaten by play-off winners Oxford City.
Even to get to this stage, they have had to overcome the loss of popular former boss Adam Hinshelwood, whose second spell in charge ended in February, when he left for National League York City.
Ex-Southampton defender Racine took the reins, a month after announcing his retirement as a player, and Worthing have continued on an upward trajectory, securing a highest-ever league finish of third in National League South with a 4-2 win over Weston-superMare.
Racine is looking forward to locking horns with Maidstone, who finished a point and a place behind the Rebels and reached the FA Cup fifth round, beating Ipswich, Barrow and Stevenage. He was also coy on the subject of his own future.
“We went up there to watch them beat Aveley 2-1 on Wednesday and we have great respect for what their manager George Elokobi has done,” said the 32-year-old, who suffered a fourth ACL injury in October, prompting him to hang up his boots.
“I haven’t even thought as far ahead as what comes next, we’re not getting carried away. I only just found it was our highest league position after we beat Weston and it’s all about the next game and then we have to see what happens next year when it comes to me.”
Racine insists Worthing have learnt from last term’s exit at this stage and won’t repeat the mistakes they made then. He also feels he has struck the right balance in the dressing-room.
“Last year we had a lot of injuries, which didn’t help, and now we have more strength in depth,” he added. “Early on in the job, I knew it wouldn’t be the same for me anymore.
“I knew I had to take my player’s hat off and put my staff hat on but that is easier said than done. I’d find myself acting like a player, a case of habit I suppose. I knew straight away I couldn’t be their mate or team-mate.”
The Rebels’ cause has been massively helped by the 40 league goals of National League South’s top scorer Ollie Pearce.
The striker ended the campaign a whole 14 goals ahead of the next highest scorer – St Albans City’s Shaun Jeffers – establishing him as one of Non-League’s hottest properties.
Racine said: “Ollie has done it consistently since he has been at the club. His goals speak volumes about him. He can play poorly and still get a goal and that says a lot about his character.”