Our inaugural month as a fifth tier outfit conjured up a variety of results, with historical statistical landmarks achieved and several lessons learned.
An opening day win at Carlisle registered our first points, win and goals in Non-League’s top tier, while overcoming Wealdstone at Woodside sealed our first triumph on home soil in this division.
A pair of 3-2 defeats over the Bank Holiday weekend consisted of red cards, late concession of goals and letting leads slip – three aspects the young Reds can use as lessons to equip themselves to be stronger for the remainder of the campaign.
Those combination of outcomes has left the Reds in 15th position, with six league games to prepare for in September.
Tomorrow’s opponents AFC Fylde have been one of the surprise packages in the National League, with only three sides scoring more than their 11 goals – leaving them in sixth position ahead of Matchweek Six.
It will be our first ever encounter with Craig Mahon’s side, as the Rebels grace Mill Farm for the first time.
Team News
Goalkeeper Harrison Foulkes is set to spend a period of time on the sidelines due to a bicep tear he sustained during last month’s win over Wealdstone.
Despite finishing the remainder of the match after suffering the problem in the first half, the injury has forced the 25-year-old to miss our last two matches, with Taylor Seymour replacing him in between the sticks.
George Cox and Bailey Smith have stepped up their recovery and participated in first-team training, while Jack Wadham and Dom Hutchinson both served their one-match suspensions on Bank Holiday Monday.
The Opposition
Utilising the momentum from promotion, the Coasters currently sit inside the top seven at the conclusion of the first month of the campaign.
Four points from their first three games preceded the sale of academy product Danny Ormerod, but the striker’s departure hasn’t hindered their progress.
The Bank Holiday weekend saw them propel themselves up the table courtesy of a perfect pair of results, downing Robbie Savage’s Forest Green Rovers and comfortably beating Solihull Moors on the road.
Craig Mahon and his players are aiming to reinstate the club as National League regulars, having spent six of the last 10 campaigns in the division.
They may have existed for less than 40 years, but AFC Fylde were the first team to lift the FA Vase and FA Trophy and will be hoping more success at Wembley Stadium can occur at the end of this campaign.
The Gaffer
Craig Mahon’s stock continues to rise as a manager off the back of an impressive start to life as a National League manager.
The 37-year-old has navigated the Coasters through the opening matches of the season, while still maintaining an attacking and attractive brand of football. Fylde aren’t just winning, they’re winning with a flourish.
In his first season in charge, former Irish winger Craig Mahon led AFC Fylde to promotion in style, with their attack-minded style of play yielding a return of 112 goals in 46 games.
His managerial career commenced at Curzon Ashton, as he was placed in charge on an interim basis briefly in 2021, before being handed the hotseat in the dugout permanently in 2023. While at the Nash, Mahon was instrumental to an upturn in fortunes and guided Curzon to their highest ever finish in 2024, before helping them achieve their highest points tally in the National League North in 2025. As his reputation grew, so did the interest in his services, with Fylde employing the Irishman following their demotion back into Step 2.
As a player, Mahon notably made 200 appearances for Chester FC while also representing the likes of Salford City, Burscough and Vauxhall Motors.
One to Watch
In the wake of AFC Fylde’s talisman Danny Ormerod’s departure to League One Peterborough United for a reported £600,000, Harvey Broad has taken up the mantle of the Coaster’s primary source of goals.
Just 11 days off turning 21, the Englishman has struck four times in just four appearances, quickly endearing himself to his new supporters.
Joining on loan from newly-promoted Premier League side Coventry City, the left-sided defender has been an unlikely provider of goals, already doubling his tally from last season despite the season still being in its infancy as we enter September.
Broad’s first loan spell was with Dagenham & Redbridge in the National League South last season, with the then-teenager making 35 appearances in the sixth tier.
A real threat down the flank, Fylde’s number three netted a brace in the 2-0 victory over Forest Green Rovers last weekend prior to breaking the deadlock in the eventual 3-1 win away at Solihull Moors on Bank Holiday Monday
League Form Guide
AFC Fylde | W3 D1 L1 GD: +4 | Pos: 6th
League Form: WWLWD
MD1: AFC Fylde 2-2 Wealdstone | Scorers: Adam Lewis & Jack Morris
MD2: Tamworth FC 1-2 AFC Fylde | Scorers: Danny Ormerod & Cedric Main
MD3: Woking 3-2 AFC Fylde | Scorers: Danny Ormerod & Harvey Broad
MD4: AFC Fylde 2-0 Forest Green Rovers | Scorers: Harvey Broad
MD5: Solihull Moors 1-3 AFC Fylde | Scorers: Harvey Broad, Jack Morris & Luca Thomas
Worthing FC | W2 D0 L3 GD: -1 | Pos: 15th
League Form: LLWLW
MD1: Carlisle United 2-3 Worthing FC | Scorers: Dom Hutchinson, Razzaq Coleman De-Graft, Ricky Aguiar
MD2: Worthing FC 1-2 Forest Green Rovers | Scorer: Teddy Jenks
MD3: Worthing FC 1-0 Wealdstone | Scorer: Ramell Carter
MD4: Tamworth 3-2 Worthing FC | Scorers: Jack Wadham & Jose Marquez
MD5: Worthing FC 2-3 Boreham Wood | Scorer: Razzaq Coleman De-Graft x2
Tickets
Away supporters will be predominantly housed in the South Stand Terrace (Standing) with a portion of the West Stand available to fans that require/prefer a seat.
Any Worthing FC supporter planning on attending must purchase their ticket labelled ‘Away’,
Prices and the specific aforementioned allocated areas for away fans are listed below:
West Stand (Away) – Adult Seating: £22.00
West Stand (Away) – Junior U16: £9.00
South Stand (Away) – Adult: £20.00
South Stand (Away – Junior: £8.00
Restrictions
All Under-14’s must be accompanied by an adult.
Waiver
- Entrance to the stadium is at the discretion of the management of AFC Fylde. All Ground regulations and safety measures must be complied with.
- No refunds or credit will be given for any matches unattended.
- This ticket remains the property of AFC Fylde and is strictly non-transferable or saleable.
- Seats are granted at the discretion of AFC Fylde, where a seat in unavailable or a Ticket Holder asked to move then a similar priced seat will be offered.
- Ticket Holders smoking or engaging in any form of bad language or abusive behaviour will have their tickets withdrawn and future entry refused.
- Purchase of this ticket constitutes the acceptance of these terms.
HOW TO FOLLOW
If you can’t be at the game, you can follow the game via live updates from the club’s official Twitter account.
Or if you prefer, you can watch Behind- the-Scenes footage over on our Instagram account.
You can also listen to live commentary through the club’s official commentary service, sponsored by the Worthing FC Supporters Association.
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗