Optimism is at an all-time high in the Rebels’ ranks following the weekend’s 2-1 victory over Kidderminster Harriers at Aggborough Stadium.
A seventh league goal of the season from Razzaq Coleman De-Graft just shy of the hour mark drew his side level before Queens Park Rangers loanee Cory Adjetey-Brew tapped in following great work from Dominic Johnson-Fisher to complete the turnaround.
That result extended Adam Hinshelwood’s side’s unbeaten league streak to nine matches, while also sealing a third successive win in the competition alongside the triumphs over Solihull Moors and Gateshead.
Despite enjoying another productive season, tonight’s opponents Southend enter the contest off the back of a tricky fortnight.
An embarrassing Emirates FA Cup exit at home to seventh tier outfit Berkhamstead preceded a point at home to FC Halifax Town, with Kieron Dyer’s team conceding a 90th minute equaliser at Roots Hall on Saturday afternoon.
However, with the Shrimpers yet to taste defeat on the road in seven league matches this campaign, they will feel confident of recording a positive result in their first-ever visit to Woodside Road.
The Opposition
Recognised as one of the favourites for the league title, three points this evening could see Southend United temporarily jump into second position, with Harrogate Town travelling to Carlisle United tomorrow night.
On the whole, the reigning FA Trophy champions have commenced the season in typically strong fashion in their quest to earn a spot back into the Football League for the first time sine 2021.
The early stages under the stewardship of Dyer hasn’t been without its inconsistencies, with losses on home soil to Kidderminster Harriers, Barrow AFC and Step Three side Berkhamstead clear indications that the Shrimpers are not the finished article.
But a current record of invincibility on the road is a hallmark of any successful team, a run that included a comprehensive 6-1 win at Gateshead in which the Shrimpers were 6-0 up at half-time.
This season, Dyer and his team will be looking to avoid a third successive play-off finish and take the direct route back to League Two by winning the title, although they already trail leaders Boreham Wood by 10 points.
Despite being knocked out of the play-offs last term by Scunthorpe United, the campaign ended on a high with a penalty shootout victory in the FA Trophy final against Wealdstone under the Wembley arch.
The Gaffer
Life in the dugout for former England midfielder Kieron Dyer has begun with relative success, with the ex-Newcastle United, Ipswich Town and West Ham United man determined to send Southend back into the Football League.
Succeeding Kevin Maher in the summer , Dyer holds a 57.14% win rate in the league which has seen his side emerge as one of the early frontrunners for the title.
Only league leaders Boreham Wood have scored more than their 33 goals this season, a clear indication of the attacking ideaology Dyer is adopting and instilling into this group.
Following the end of his playing days in 2013, Dyer took up his first coaching role in the Ipswich Town youth set-up, later becoming the Head Coach of the club’s Under-23 side. His most recent coaching position prior to the Southend job occurred in 2023, where he joined up with former Ipswich boss Paul Cook as a First-Team coach at Chesterfield.
Appearing 33 times for this country, Dyer is most notably remembered for turning out over 200 times for Newcastle, with a reputation as one of the more reliable midfielders in the early noughties of the Premier League.
One to Watch
Since arriving on loan from Bristol Rovers, Promise Omochere has brought an extra attacking threat to the Shrimpers frontline.
A clinical kick from the penalty spot opened the scoring in their weekend’s stalemate with FC Halifax Town, taking the 26-year-old’s tally to five for the season in a Blue shirt.
Marking his Southend debut with the winner off the bench in September’s thrilling 3-2 success over Yeovil Town, Omochere has also found the net in the wins over Tamworth and Boston, while also breaking the deadlock in the eventual 1-1 draw away at Eastleigh.
Multiple muscular injuries has plagued the Irishman’s time at parent club Bristol Rovers thus far, reducing him to only 39 appearances across two full campaigns.
Omochere came through the ranks in the Irish League with Bohemians as a teenager before moving to England with Fleetwood in 2022.
League Form Guide
Worthing FC | W8 D3 L3 GD: +10 | Pos: 4th
League Form: WWWDW
MD10: Worthing FC 2-1 FC Halifax Town | Scorers: Joe Cook & Jordan Young
MD11: Yeovil Town 1-1 Worthing FC | Scorer: Razzaq Coleman De-Graft
MD12: Gateshead 1-2 Worthing FC | Scorers: Jack Wadham & Alex Lankshear (O.G)
MD13: Worthing FC 5-0 Solihull Moors | Scorers: Cory Adjetey-Brew x2, Razzaq Coleman De-Graft, Ricky Aguiar & Dom Hutchinson
MD14: Kidderminster Harriers 1-2 Worthing FC | Scorers: Razzaq Coleman De-Graft & Cory Adjetey-Brew
Southend United | W8 D4 L2 GD: +12 | Pos: 3rd
League Form Guide: DWWDL
MD10: Southend United 2-4 Barrow AFC | Scorers: Ryan Colclough & Leon Chambers-Parillon
MD11: Eastleigh 1-1 Southend United | Scorers: Promise Omochere
MD12: Southend United 3-1 AFC Fylde | Scorers: Darren Oldaker, Ryan Colclough & Ben Goodliffe
MD13: Boston United 1-2 Southend United | Scorers: Promise Omochere & Sahid Kamara
MD14: Southend United 2-2 FC Halifax Town | Scorers: Promise Omochere & Mackenzie Maltby (O.G)
Tickets
Tickets are still available for the visit of Southend United and are able to be purchased online through the FanBase app/website and on the turnstiles.
However, supporters are encouraged to purchase their tickets online in advance to minimise the disruption when entering the ground. The Club can never guarantee the availability of tickets at the turnstiles in the event of a sell-out. Buy your tickets here: Worthing FC vs Southend United Tickets.
Segregation will be in place for this match, with limited tickets remaining in the away section of the Sussex Transport Community Stadium. Please note for this match, the away end has been marginally extended up to the Club Shop in the North East Corner of the stadium.
Both Worthing FC and Southend supporters can purchase their tickets online via Fanbase.
Please note as part of a newly-introduced league rule, children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult, otherwise they will be refused entry. Refunds are awarded at the Club’s discretion.
Pricing
Prices
Adults – £22.00
Concessions – £18.00
U22 – £16.00
U19 – £9.00
U14 – £6.00
U7 – £1.00
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.
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗