Six points from a possible nine have been collected by Adam Hinshelwood’s squad so far, with an inaugural clean sheet in the fifth tier registered last weekend.
Ramell Carter’s stunning half-volley was the difference at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium, as the Reds prevailed over a 10-player Wealdstone in a lunchtime kick-off.
Resolute and courageous defending from the likes of Joe Cook, Jayden Moore and Harry Ransom preserved the clean sheet and ensured a debut Woodside victory in the National League would be secured.
Meanwhile, tonight’s opponents Tamworth are one of six teams that are yet to triumph this season in the top tier of National League football.
It’s set to be a fascinating contest in prospect in Staffordshire. Both teams play on an artificial surface, the only two in the entire division.
Team News
In Adam Hinshelwood’s pre-match assessment, the manager confirmed winger Ashley Nathaniel-George is available for selection for the first time this season after recovering from a groin issue.
The former York City player has seen his minutes reduced by the problem, which forced him to miss the final week of pre-season and the first three league matches of the campaign.
Noor Husin, Tyrique Clarke, Matt Burgess and George Cox remain sidelined.
The Opposition
Tamworth will be a desperately craving a first three-point haul of the season at the Lamb Ground this evening following a winless start to the campaign.
A positive point picked up on the road against last term’s beaten National League play-off finalists Boreham Wood, which included a 102nd minute equaliser hasn’t been built upon, as the Lambs fell to a convincing 4-1 toppling to FC Halifax Town on the weekend.
Andy Peaks’ side have already succumbed to the enthusiasm and determination of a newly-promoted outfit, being edged out by National League North Champions AFC Fylde a fortnight ago.
After earning consecutive promotions into the fifth tier back in 2024 courtesy of two successive title wins, it has been followed up by two impressive finishes just outside of the play-offs.
Tamworth rose to national stardom in the 2024/25 term, as they hosted Premier League heavyweights Tottenham Hotspur in the Emirates FA Cup third round.
Remarkably, they held the eventual Europa League winners to a 0-0 draw in normal time, before collapsing in extra-time. They may have exited the competition, yet they earned the respect of many a football fan across the country.
The Gaffer
The man behind Tamworth’s meteoric rise up the pyramid, the unassuming Andy Peaks has continuously surpassed expectations in Staffordshire.
His tenancy commenced in February 2022 and in his first full season he masterminded a title charge – a vast improvement from the 10th place the previous campaign. Built on the foundations of an indomitable defence oriented around Peaks’ philosophy, Tamworth then won the National League North at the first time of asking – only conceding 29 times in 46 matches.
The 55-year-old’s decision to sign a full-time contract three days before the Lambs’ FA Cup third-round tie against Tottenham Hotspur has helped the manager to concentrate his full focus on coaching the side.
Prior to that, the former AFC Rushden & Diamonds boss was balancing his time as as a support worker at Tresham College in Kettering with leading the Lambs.
One to Watch
Notching three goals in his first three starts for his new team, Tamworth forward Kieran Donnelly has commenced the season in red hot form.
His brace in the thrilling 3-3 draw away to Boreham Wood on the opening day was instrumental in the Lambs picking up a hard-fought point, while the 25-year-old striker also broke the deadlock the following week in the eventual 2-1 home defeat to AFC Fylde.
Aside from a rogue three-month spell in Australia with Malvern City in 2023, Tamworth’s number has predominantly turned out for teams based in the Midlands, breaking through at Step with Halesown, Redditch and Coleshill Town
The Lambs’ current leading scorer spent the final portion of the 2025/26 season on loan at Kidderminster Harriers from Boston United – a move that proved to be magical.
Firing the Harriers into third place in the National League North with six goals and four assists in just 13 appearances, Donnelly would earn hero status at Aggborough by also netting in the Play-Off Semi-Final win over Macclesfield and Play-Off final away to South Shields.
Also amongst this evening’s opponents’ ranks is former Worthing FC striker Jake Hutchinson and numerous alumni from their memorable FA Cup tie with Tottenham Hotspur a couple of seasons ago.
League Form Guide
Tamworth FC | W0 D1 L2 GD: -4 | Pos: 22nd
League Form: LLD
MD1: Boreham Wood 3-3 Tamworth FC | Scorers: Kieran Donnelly x2 & Ben Milnes
MD2: Tamworth FC 1-2 AFC Fylde | Scorer: Kieran Donnelly
MD3 FC Halifax Town 4-1 Tamworth FC | Scorer: TJ Bramble
Worthing FC | W2 D0 L1 GD: 1 | Pos: 8th
League Form: WLW
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
View from the Camp – Adam Hinshelwood
“Tamworth is one of the toughest places to go in the division – not just because of the surface, but also the style of play and the home supporters really get behind them. We all that to take into consideration – but it’s a game we’e looking forward to ourselves.”
Tickets
Tickets are sold online in advance through Tamworth’s website, with the Ticket Office at the Lamb Ground open on the day of the fixture to purchase tickets in person. Turnstiles will open from 6:30pm. Tickets are marginally cheaper when purchased online as opposed to in person, although it does incur a booking fee.
Children aged 13 and under (U14) are not permitted to attend matches unless accompanied by a responsible adult.
Away Seating is available in the Away Main Stand and Additional Away Seating which is marked as red seating.
Prices
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 access over on our Instagram account.
You can also listen to live commentary through the club’s official commentary service or watch the match live on DAZN.
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗