No points target in Rebels' play-off bid

WORTHING Football Club joint boss Gary Elphick will not be setting Rebels a points tally to reach in their pursuit of a Ryman League South Division play-off place.
Rebels' Zack Newton in action against CarshaltonRebels' Zack Newton in action against Carshalton
Rebels' Zack Newton in action against Carshalton

Rebels were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Carshalton on Saturday, when the visitors scored two penalties after Worthing had led 2-0.

Worthing remain second in the table, 14 points behind leaders Folkestone and four clear of sixth-placed Faversham, who sit just outside the play-off places.

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Elphick said: “We’re not setting a points target as we just go out to win every game.

“We’ve got a young changing room and we don’t want to put any extra pressure on the boys by setting a target. We’ve got to ease the pressure as much as possible to try to get into the play-offs.”

Ben Pope is in contention for a starting spot on Saturday after injury, while summer signing Tony Nwachukwu is just a couple of weeks away from playing his first game for the club, after joining in the warm-up on Saturday.

Brannon O’Neill is also back from suspension later this month and Elphick said: “The league is taking shape now and Chatham are in the lower half but will come here looking for points. We’re at the other end of the spectrum and have players coming back into the squad but need points as well to make sure we stay in the play-off places.”

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Elphick was frustrated with the two penalty decisions which meant Rebels only drew 2-2 with Carshalton on Saturday. He said: “The first one was against me but their lad slipped over and took me down with him and the referee has given a penalty.

“Then Corey was fouled by their player, before Corey brought him down. An experience like that will be beneficial for Corey but, at 2-0 up, it’s frustrating not to win.

“We’ll learn from it, though, Jon (Meeney; joint manager) and I will look at ourselves and the decisions we made and the team will learn from a game like that, too.

“There’s going to be ups and downs for the rest of the season but we’ve got to get back to winning games consistently.”

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