Maguire-Drew's hat-trick edges Rebels closer to a play-off place

Jordan Maguire-Drew hit a 35-minute hat-trick on his Worthing Football Club home debut to edge Rebels even closer to securing a Ryman League South play-off place this afternoon.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Apr 2016, 17:06 BST
Updated 9th Apr 2016, 17:12 BST
Brannon O'Neill was an unused substitute for Rebels this afternoonBrannon O'Neill was an unused substitute for Rebels this afternoon
Brannon O'Neill was an unused substitute for Rebels this afternoon

The Brighton loanee’s treble, plus strikes from Omar Bugiel and Steve Metcalf, ensured Worthing eased to a 5-1 home success over Tooting & Mitcham United.

Rebels hit four in an impressive opening 45 minute display, with the success leaving them needing three points to clinch a play-off place with two games to go.

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Rebels stay in third after the win, but with both fifth and sixth-placed Hastings United and Faversham Town respectively winning, the gap remains just two points.

Rebels started in fine fashion and were in front after just four minutes. Matt Axell’s cross was headed towards goal by Corey Heath and Maguire-Drew neatly flicked into the top corner.

It was two 16 minutes later with Maguire-Drew this time heading home from an Axell corner.

The Brighton loanee then capped off a fine first game at Woodside Road with his third on 36 minutes. He collected Steve Metcalf’s pull back, before taking a touch and firing low into the bottom corner.

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There was still time for a fourth with Bugiel getting that three minutes before the break. A fine sweeping move was capped off with Ben Pope’s cross being side-footed home by Bugiel.

Worthing made a quiet start in the second but Metcalf added a fifth with 24 minutes to go. Bugiel’s neat ball found Metcalf and the left-back cut inside before curling a shot into the bottom corner.

Tooting were awarded a late penalty after Gary Elphick handled Marcel Barrington’s cross with seven minutes left. Jake Baxter sent Rikki Banks the wrong way as his side bagged a late consolation.

Worthing make the trip to Guernsey next Saturday in what is their final away fixture of the season.

WORTHING: Banks; Hendon, Elphick, Heath, Metcalf; Bugiel, Axell; Newton, Maguire-Drew, Sparks; Pope. Subs: O’Neill, Fagan, Jackson (Maguire-Drew), Edwards (Bugiel), Piper (Elphick).