First half strikes from Zac McEachran and Alfie Potter were enough for the Hoops to seal their place in the final with a shot at securing National League status at stake.

City made one change to the starting XI from the final day against Bath City with Lewis Miccio replacing Jack Davies in the backline.

The game got off to an energetic start with both sides going close in the opening minutes. Joel Colbran’s searching ball over the Hoops’ defence was latched onto by Ollie Pearce one-on-one, but Chris Haigh was on to deny the forward.

The hosts went straight down the other end with a huge opportunity of their own. Josh Parker split the Worthing defence with a weighted through ball before Alfie Potter rounded Alieu Secka but was unable to convert into the empty net.

After a lively start to the contest, City went close again after McEachran’s cutback found Lewis Miccio but the defender was unable to keep his effort down.

However, the breakthrough for City came midway through the first half. Potter did well to slide in McEachran amongst a crowded Worthing box before the midfielder poked into the far corner giving his side the lead.

The Hoops then doubled their lead just before half-time with McEachran once again involved in the action. McEachran’s cross was met by the towering Andre Burley at the far post who headed down for Potter to smash in a second for City before the break.

Half time: Oxford City 2 – 0 Worthing

The Rebels were hoping to start the second half strongly and came straight out of the blocks in search of a goal. Colbran’s switched play to Akanbi on the left as the forward cut inside but his tame effort was gathered up with ease by Haigh.

The game became cagey in the second as Worthing struggled to create clear-cut opportunities with Coyle going into the book for a challenge on substitute Mo Dabre.

Adam Hinshelwood made introductions in the second in the hopes of switching the Rebels’ fortunes through the introductions of Jesse Starkey and Alex Parsons in search of a way back into the game.

Worthing went close when Starkey’s whipped free kick met Aarran Racine at the far post but his headed effort was straight at the City stopper once again.

The visitors continued in search of a goal against a stubborn Hoops defence with Myles-Meeklims firing a rebounded Colbran effort from range but failed to test Haigh.

The West Sussex outfit continued in pursuit of a lifeline as Starkey’s looped set piece flicked through a sea of bodies in the City box but Joe Rye was unable to connect unmarked. Ross Jenkins’ side held firm to see out the game and held on to secure their place in the VNLS play off final where they will meet St Albans City next Sunday.

Oxford City Starting XI: Haigh, Miccio, Ashby, Burley (Davies 73'), Coyle, Fleet (c), McEachran (Humphrey-Ewers 73'), Parker (Iaciofano 82'), Potter, Williams-Bushell, Carroll.

Subs not used: Harrison, Wilson

ATT: 2,017