RACINE FACES BIGGEST EXAM
WORTHING boss Aarran Racine insists the club are ready to take the next step into the National League – and he hopes that will also get his students off his back!
The ambitious Rebels face Braintree Town at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium tomorrow in the National League South play-off final for a place at Step 1 after two goals from Ollie Pearce fired them past Maidstone United in the semi-finals.
Racine, who only took over as manager from the long-serving Adam Hinshelwood in February after retiring as a player through injury a month earlier, led his side to their highest ever league finish of third and now they sit just 90 minutes from a first ever elevation to Non-League’s top flight.
He was named the division’s manager of the month for April last Tuesday but prefers to stay in his own lane, especially when it comes to the sports science lessons he teaches at Worthing College.
“It’s nice to receive these sort of awards but I hate the spotlight and the attention if I’m honest – I like to go under the radar,” said the 32-year-old former Forest Green Rovers defender.
“A lot of my students are Worthing fans and I got quite a lot of stick when we were losing!
“Every day I get about ten comments about football and it gets quite hard to stay under the radar.”
Having progressed steadily since ex-youth player George Dowell bought the club nine years ago, wiping out the Rebels’ debts and installing a 3G pitch at their West Sussex home, Worthing are now in sight of the National League.
Racine revealed everyone is on the same page, having welcomed a record attendance of 2,858 for their semi-final victory. Now they all want to take that last step together and take on the biggest and best in Non-League.
He added: “George has wanted this from day one and it would be great if we could reward our loyal fans and the staff.
“I’ve experienced promotions and cup wins and whatever level it is, that great feeling never changes. It’s about being progressive every year here and taking the next step. This is something the club has always wanted to do.”
Racine expects it to be a red-hot atmosphere on Bank Holiday Monday and called on his players to stick to the formula which has carried them to the final on the back of a seven-match winning run.
National League South top goalscorer Pearce scored goals No.41 and 42 to see off George Elokobi’s Stones and is sure to be key again.
“We can’t let the occasion get the
better of us but I don’t know how many cool heads there will be,” admitted Racine, who captained Forest Green in the 2016 National League promotion final which saw them lose 3-1 to Grimsby Town at Wembley. “These games are often so tense. They start with the teams iffy and wary of each other and the quicker we can play our game, the more beneficial it will be for us. We’ve got to this stage by doing things our way and it’ll be a shame if we don’t do that now.”
The Rebels will need their vocal fans to help them past the substantial challenge presented by the Iron, who finished two places and three points below their hosts in the table. The visitors also have the added bonus of having completed a league double over Worthing, winning 4-0 in Essex in September and following that up with a 1-0 victory on the Sussex coast in February.
Ex-centre back Racine said: “I didn’t play in either of the games against them actually. I’d retired by the time they came here and played us.
“But I know they’re organised, an honest team with good quality.
“They defend really well and together, and are a bit of a pain when they go forward!
“We will prepare right and playing at home is obviously a big advantage for us, with the core support we get and everyone coming out of the woodwork to add to that.
“We had a record crowd for Maidstone and I’m sure we’ll get that sort of attendance again on Monday.”