Champions Finish In Style - Midhurst and Easebourne vs Worthing United

The sun strikes the boot of the Worthing forward

We are now getting to the business end of the season and I was tempted by the title six pointer at Needham Market but I was put off the inevitable large crowd. This time of the year also means (or at least it should do) better weather and the fine weather gave me a good excuse to visit one of the more scenic grounds in The Sussex County League - The Rotherfield, home of Midhurst and Easebourne. The Stags were at home to Worthing United who had already won The Division Two title. These were happier times for The Mavericks then the last time I'd seen them play at home to Pagham when they were bottom of Division One. Midhurst were comfortably in mid table and had lost the reverse fixture at The Robert Albon Memorial Ground 3-0 back in November.

Kick off for the final time this season at The Rotherfield

Worthing United score with the first attack of the game. The attacker is played in on right wing and he lobs the ball over the onrushing keeper and into the opposite top corner of the goal. Midhurst's first attempt on goal is weak header over the bar from a corner. They come even closer when the forward is played in after a throw in and the Worthing keeper makes a good save. Midhurst at this point look the better side and after a Worthing move breaks down, Midhurst go the attacker and a great cross is put into the box but the header hits the bar. The home side are made to pay for not putting one of their chances away when Worthing score a second against the run of play. Worthing get in behind the Midhurst defence and although the keeper is able to save the initial effort, he cannot prevent the rebound being put away. They are further punished when a cross into the box isn't cleared and the forward is able to turn and score the third. Things look like they could get even worse for Midhurst when they concede a penalty but the home goalie makes a fantastic save. The home side win a penalty of their own almost straight afterwards and the Midhurst player makes no mistake from the spot.

Midhurst attack in the first half

At the start of the second half, the Worthing forward is able to get in on goal but the home keeper continues his fine form from the first half and saves with his legs. The Midhurst keeper has to make another save from a drilled effort shortly afterwards. Midhurst's first opening when the forward is allowed to turn in the box but his effort is saved. Midhurst continue to push and create a couple of half chances, the best being a shot from distance which goes wide. The visitors come close to extending their lead as the Midhurst keeper makes a good save but the rebound strikes the post. They do extend their lead when a free kick is headed back into the penalty area and the forward lashes the ball in to make it 4-1. This sparks a flush of goals and Worthing make it five as the forward slots home after being played in. They get a sixth when a long throw isn't dealt with and the ball is put into the net. Midhurst are still attacking and they are unlucky when a header from a corner is cleared off the line. In the closing stages, Midhurst are reduced to ten men as a Stags player receives a second yellow and Worthing add a seventh after the forward is played in. The game was not as one sided as the score suggests and Midhurst were competitive for the majority of the match. 

Wing shot with the old club building in the background

Midhurst and Easebourne are located in The South Downs National Park and there are no close by railway stations. The nearest station is Haslemere which is reached by trains from Waterloo and the journey takes about an hour. From opposite the station you can catch the hourly number 70 bus and the journey takes half an hour. Before the game I went to Midhurst which is an idyllic market located next to the ruins of Cowdray House. In terms of pubs there is The Swan Inn which is around the corner from the historic Spread Eagle Hotel. It also had a couple of ales and Sky Sports. At the top of the main street is The Wheatsheaf which also had a choice of ales and seemed popular with the locals. The Rotherfield is then a twenty walk away. The clubhouse does the job and offers and elevated view of the pitch. As I mentioned earlier The Rotherfield is a picturesque ground and one of my favourite of the season.

No programmes were produced but I was able to get one from the Oakwood game a little while ago

Side on view of the stand