It’s been a sobering week in West Sussex so far for Adam Hinshelwood’s side. Despite leading at half-time in both matches, Forest Green Rovers and West Ham U21s ended up prevailing at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium -resigning the Rebels to their first home defeat in over 10 months.
However, with three points already in the bank from the dramatic opening day victory over Carlisle United a fortnight ago – another triumph tomorrow would represent a positive start to the campaign heading into the Bank Holiday double header.
Wealdstone are also looking to put things right following a home loss of their own against current league leaders Harrogate Town, with the Stones yet to register a win this term.
The likes of Razzaq Coleman De-Graft, Dom Hutchinson and Ricky Aguiar were completely rested during midweek and the expectation is they will come in feeling refreshed.
The Opposition
Wealdstone are one of 10 teams that haven’t tasted that winning feeling yet after a frustrating first two outings.
Gary Waddock’s side proved their steel and resilience on the opening day, coming from behind on two occasion to salvage a draw against National League North champions AFC Fylde.
Mentality alone wasn’t enough to reproduce that performance at home the following weekend, as they succumbed to a comfortable defeat to Harrogate.
This is their seventh successive season competing in the National League since earning promotion in unusual circumstances back in 2020. Sitting atop of the National League South table with just 33 matches played, the season curtailed due to Covid-19 and the Stones were fast tracked into the top tier of Non-League football.
However, they have proved that wasn’t just a fluke or simple good fortune – establishing themselves as a mainstay in the division, despite never finishing higher than 13th place.
Outside of their league exploits they found some joy last year, reaching the final of the FA Trophy where they were agonisingly defeated on penalties by Southend United under the Wembley arch.
The Gaffer
Playing a part in paving the football philosophy of Worthing boss Adam Hinshelwood – Wealdstone manager Gary Waddock will be occupying the opposition dugout this weekend.
The 64-year-old signed the former defender on two separate occasions, and such was the strong bond between the two that Waddock made Hinshelwood his captain on both occasions while at Aldershot Town and Wycombe Wanderers.
Those two jobs happened after spells at Queens Park Rangers as Manager and Assistant Manager in the late noughties, with a Head Coach role at Oxford United ensuing.
Equally as reliable as a Number 2, he held Assistant roles at Barnet, Portsmouth and Southend with a return to Aldershot Town as First-Team Manager occurring in between, with Waddock leading the Shots to two National League play-off finishes.
Recently, spells in the Football League assisting Mark Bonner at Cambridge United and working with Mat Sadler at Walsall have only added to his impressive CV before taking the plunge in a managerial capacity with Wealdstone in February.
One to Watch
Dictating the tempo in the middle of the park, former Crystal Palace academy starlet Jack Wells-Morrison is one of Wealdstone’s leading creative forces.
The 22-year-old has completed the entire 90 minutes in both of the opening two matches of the campaign, as the Stones picked up a point away to AFC Fylde and fell to a loss against Harrogate Town.
Wells-Morrison made the switch from Scotland to England in March, as Scottish Championship side Ross County dispensed of his services and opened up the opportunity for Wealdstone to re-sign the highly-rated midfielder following a loan spell in the 2024/25 season.
Blessed with strong technical attributes and experience of the level with Solihull Moors last year, Wealdstone’s number four helped his side progress into the FA Trophy final.
It’s his time at Crystal Palace where the youngster gained plaudits, as he was the heartbeat of the Eagles U18s and U21s outfit during the formative years of his career.
League Form Guide
Worthing FC | W1 D0 L1 GD: 0 | Pos: 11th
League Form: LW
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
Wealdstone | W0 D1 L1 GD: -2 | Pos: 19th
League Form: LD
MD1: AFC Fylde 2-2 Wealdstone | Scorers: Luke Norris & Olufela Olomola
MD2: Wealdstone 1-3 Harrogate Town | Scorer: Micah Obiero
View from the Camp – Adam Hinshelwood
“We’re a team that is still transitioning into the National League, which you can see, but you have to learn quickly in this division.”
Tickets
Tickets are still available to purchase for the visit of Wealdstone 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 avoid disappointment of missing out and 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 Wealdstone Tickets
Segregation will be in place for this match. Away supporters will be housed in the North East corner of the stadium, with food and drink refreshments available, including vegetarian options.
Both Worthing FC and Wealdstone 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 or watch the match live on DAZN.
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗