Avoiding defeat this afternoon will stretch the Rebels’ streak without a loss to 11 matches, as you have to cast your minds back to Bank Holiday Monday’s narrow defeat to league leaders Boreham Wood to find the last time Worthing fell short in the Enterprise National League.
A 3-3 draw on Tuesday night against heavy-hitters Southend United has seen them temporarily drop to sixth position, but only three points separate second to seventh spot in the standings.
After a slow start, the midweek performance was filled with positives as the Reds recovered twice to earn a valuable point.
Dominic Johnson-Fisher sparked the comeback with an excellent solo effort to halve the deficit before Cory Adjetey-Brew continued his rich vein of form in front of goal to level matters. Following Tyreece Simpson’s goal to make it three for the Shrimpers, Jordan Young came off the bench to blast home a second equaliser to have the final say on an enthralling contest.
This afternoon has an added element of interest to it, as the Reds welcome former coaches Chris Agutter, Dean Hammond and Ben Cornelius to Woodside for the first time since their departure just over a year ago.
There are also plenty of former Worthing players within their ranks including Temi Babalola, Chris Haigh and Toby Byron.
The Opposition
Sutton are searching for successive league victories for the first time since August this afternoon with three points away at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
Wednesday night’s positive result over Aldershot arrested a drop in form which saw them fail to win any of their previous six league outings.
Included in that run was uncomfortable defeats to Tamworth, Boreham Wood and Harrogate Town, while they also needed dramatic late equalisers to secure a share of the spoils against FC Halifax Town, Forest Green Rovers and Kidderminster Harriers.
Victory a few days ago catapulted the U’s into 12th position, with a chance to climb as high as eighth position with another success this afternoon.
So far this season, the Amber Army have fared considerably better, as they narrowly avoided a first relegation into the National League South since 2016.
Under Chris Agutter, they finished five points above the relegation zone. This campaign with a renewed sense of hope, they’ll be hoping to mount a charge at promotion to restore themselves as an EFL side.
The Gaffer
Saturday sees the return of Adam Hinshelwood’s predecessor, as Chris Agutter is set to occupy the unfamiliar visiting dugout at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
After a successful 18-month period in West Sussex, ‘Agi’s’ services were secured by the U’s, with the former EFL outfit agreeing a deal to release the tactician from his contract in October 2025.
Under his leadership, the Reds achieved a record points total of 88 in National League South, finishing just one point behind champions Truro City.
He also guided the team to the fifth round of the FA Trophy for the first time in the Club’s history and a second successive appearance in the Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper.
Prior to his time at Woodside, Agutter worked in the youth systems at Brighton & Hove Albion, while also enjoying a successful spell as First-Team Manager of Hastings United.
One to Watch
Former Dorking Wanderers skipper Charlie Carter is a familiar foe to the Reds, with the 30-year-old midfielder quickly assuming a leadership role in the Sutton ranks.
Signing in the summer, the technically-gifted creative force netted his second goal in Sutton colours during midweek, as he breached Aldershot Town’s net inside the opening seconds in the eventual 2-0 victory at Gander Green Lane.
After a delayed start to the season due to fitness issues, the Englishman has now scored twice for his boyhood club, as he also struck in the 3-3 home draw against Forest Green Rovers.
Previously, Carter spent three successful seasons at Dorking – initially in the National League before choosing to remain at Meadowbank has they sought a return to the fifth tier.
The attacking midfielder has also donned the shirt of Woking, Chesterfield, Stevenage and Eastleigh throughout his career.
League Form Guide
Worthing FC | W8 D4 L3 GD: +10 | Pos: 5th
League Form: DWWWD
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
MD15: Worthing FC 3-3 Southend United | Scorers: Dominic Johnson-Fisher, Cory Adjetey-Brew & Jordan Young
Sutton United | W6 D3 L6 GD: -4 | Pos: 12th
League Form: WLLDL
MD11: Tamworth 2-0 Sutton United | Scorers: N/A
MD12: Kidderminster Harriers 1-1 Sutton United | Scorers: Omar Mussa
MD13: Sutton United 0-2 Boreham Wood | Scorers: N/A
MD14: Harrogate Town 3-1 Sutton United | Scorers: Ben Brookes
MD15: Sutton United 2-0 Aldershot Town | Scorers: Charlie Carter & David Ogbonna
View from the Camp – Jon Meeney
Previous Meeting
Tickets
Tickets are still available for the visit of Sutton 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 Sutton 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 Sutton 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 ↗