As the final game of the regular season approaches, things are tighter than ever with all teams in the top nine still having promotion in sight, leaving all to play for in the final fixtures, writes Libby O’Connell.
For the Fleet, it’s a battle to remain in the play-off positions, currently sitting level on points with both Torquay United and Weston-super-Mare (in fifth and seventh place respectively) as the three teams are separated only by goal difference. The battle to secure entry to the play-offs does not stop there, however, with both Maidenhead and Maidstone sitting just below the play-off positions, and hopeful of stealing a march on any slip-ups above them.
Worthing make their final attempt to solidify top spot and be crowned as National League South Champions but Hornchurch remain their only competitor in the title race, sitting just one point below the Rebels after last Saturday’s results. Dorking Wanderers, who could yet miss out on a play-off place depending on results, are theoretically still in with a chance but the goal difference swing effectively rules them out.
There’s no doubt that Saturday will be a tense affair throughout the division – and at Woodside Park, the maths will likely be changing throughout the 90. minutes. Both teams can achieve what they need with a point but ideally need to go after three points. It’s no surprise in these circumstances that DAZN have chosen to broadcast the 12:30pm kick-off at Worthing.
Form guide
Worthing have had mixed results over their past 10 fixtures but have been victorious in six of them.
The most notable win of late was their 2-1 victory over Dorking on Easter Monday which allowed them to snatch the top spot in the league’s standings from the faltering Wanderers, and the Rebels have remained in pole position since.
Worthing also landed a huge 7-2 home win against Dagenham & Redbridge just days later, despite the away side taking an early lead. Over half of the home squad aided in boosting the goal difference with six different scorers across the 90 minutes.
Worthing’s first defeat in eight games came from a 2-1 loss to Maidstone last Saturday, preventing them from confirming their position as League champions.
Equally, Josh Wright’s squad have had a good run over the last 10 games and are actually in better form than their hosts, with seven wins. These include the Fleet’s past two home fixtures which both ended in 4-0 victories over Hampton & Richmond Borough and Dover Athletic.
Last time out
The Rebels visit to the Kuflink Stadium in early December (above) resulted in them returning home with the three points thanks to a 2-1 win and a late penalty award. The two teams previously clashed during the National South 2022/23 season when Fleet found the net 13 times in two games, winning 6-0 and 7-2 (below).
Who’s who?
Worthing centre-forward Brad Dolaghan rejoined the club in the summer from West Ham’s U21s squad, after previously scoring 150 goals for Worthing’s youth and academy sides. After breaking into the first-team, he earned a move to West Ham and ended last season at Aldershot on loan. He is the likely recipient of the division’s Golden Boot award with 23 goals scored across the season.
Centre-back Joe Cook is coming up to two years of service with the Rebels. The 26-year-old reached 100 appearances at their most recent fixture against Maidstone.
Manager
Adam Hinshelwood is in charge after returning to the club for the third time as first-team manager in October 2025, signing a contract through to May 2028. He was first appointed during the 2013/14 season, before departing for Brighton U18s as assistant manager. Then, following a four-month spell managing Hastings United, he returned to the Rebels in the 2017/18 season and remained at the club for seven years until early 2024, where he took over as York City’s first-team manager. In his time time at Worthing, he has taken them from the lower half of the Isthmian Premier to two play-off campaigns in the National South. Depending how results go for both York and Worthing this weekend, he could claim to have managed two promoted sides in a single season. But the Fleet will have plenty to say about that before anything’s confirmed!
Tickets
There are no ticket sales on the day so Fleet fans must purchase their tickets online in advance – those are available here. You should purchase ASAP with Worthing – who have sold out their home allocation – potentially taking sales offline during Friday. With sales pushing towards 500, Fleet fans can still help grow that number and back Josh Wright’s side for a final push. The Fleet Trust have booked a second supporters’ coach if you would like to make use of that service – more details here.
If you are unable to travel to Worthing, the game will also be shown in The Rose just up from Northfleet Station if you’d like to follow the game alongside fellow Fleet fans.
Kick-off is at the earlier time of 12:30pm and turnstiles open two hours in advance. See Worthing’s website here for more on their stadium regulations and information.
View Worthing’s Matchday Guide here.
