Elphick: Roar us on and be our 12th man

Roar us on to the final. That is the message from Worthing Football Club joint boss Gary Elphick ahead of tomorrow's Ryman League South Division semi-final with Hythe.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Apr 2016, 10:59 BST
Updated 25th Apr 2016, 12:04 BST

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Action from Rebels' win against Ramsgate on Saturday.Action from Rebels' win against Ramsgate on Saturday.
Action from Rebels' win against Ramsgate on Saturday.

Worthing entertain Hythe in the semi-finals, with a 7.45pm kick-off at Woodside Road. Rebels beat Ramsgate 2-1 on Saturday to move above Hythe, who went down 4-0 at Faversham, and seal a home play-off tie.

Elphick said: “Having the home fans behind us is always a bonus. The crowds have been the most pleasing part of this year and, fingers crossed, we’ll have another big crowd to support the team.

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“It definitely helps having the crowd behind you and they can be our 12th man and roar us on to the final.”

This is Rebels’ first time in the play-offs since the 2009-10 season, when they lost 2-1 at home to Godalming in the semi-finals.

Worthing had also lost in the play-off semi-finals in the previous two seasons, 1-0 at Cray Wanderers in 2008-09 and 2-0 away to Tooting in 2007-08.

Elphick said: “We beat Hythe convincingly at home this season but got a bigtof a drubbing away. However, with the play-offs, it’s all about who turns up on the day.

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“Apart from Folkestone, it’s been a very tight, competitive league and anyone can beat anyone. We respect whoever we play and will hopefully have two games left to play this season but, first and foremost, we’re concentrating on Hythe.

“We’ve been preparing for this game for months, if I’m being honest. This is where we wanted to be and preparation is key.

“Hopefully we’ll have a game plan to nullify their threats and impose ourselves on the game.”

Lloyd Dawes is ruled out of the game but Rebels otherwise have a full squad available.

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The winners of the game will meet Dorking Wanderers or Faversham in the final on Saturday.

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