Match Preview

Worthing play Faversham Town in the Ryman Division One South on Saturday in what will be a historic occasion for the football club.

With Wednesday night’s first ‘home’ game of the season played at Bognor’s Nyewood Lane, the clash with Faversham will be the first ever competitive match on the new 3G pitch.

The Rebels won 2-0 in midweek against Walton & Hersham with Brannon O’Neill scoring from the penalty spot after Omar Bugiel opened the scoring after just 25 seconds.

But the fixture was played at a neutral ground as a result of a delay in obtaining a required test certificate for the new artificial surface at the Photronix Stadium.

It was a bitter blow for new chairman George Dowell, who worked hard over the summer to ensure that the ground was ready for the start of the new Ryman League campaign.

Given the numerous issues the club have had to overcome along the way, Dowell is relieved that the focus will now be on the football.

“I’d like to thank everyone for all of their hard work behind the scenes during this busy off-season,” he said.

“It’s been a long time coming, but hopefully we will have a bumper crowd tomorrow and get another win to kick-start the new era at Worthing FC. I can’t wait!”

Worthing will be hoping for a more significant home advantage than ever before on Saturday having played the majority of their pre-season friendlies on the new 3G pitch.

Player-manager Gary Elphick said: “Hopefully it’ll be an advantage to be back on our pitch as we’re used to the surface. It should stand us in good stead this season.”

The Rebels only have one fresh injury concern ahead of the match with Elphick, who played the majority of Wednesday night’s game, having picked up a slight hamstring strain.

Besides that Tony Nwachukwu (long-term stomach problem) and Harvey Sparks (holiday) are the only absentees.

On Thursday the club were pleased to confirm the loan signings of Liam Kimber and Casey Johnson, and both should also be in the squad to face Faversham.

“Liam and Casey are both signed on season long loans now from their respective clubs and both were excellent (on Wednesday) and showed a lot of energy,” said Elphick.

Saturday’s visitors Faversham currently sit one place below Worthing in the Ryman Division One South league table having also won one game and lost one.

Matthew Bourne scored an 89th minute winner for the Lilywhites in their opening encounter against Whyteleafe last weekend, of which match highlights can be found here.

They were then beaten 1-0 away at Ramsgate on Tuesday night as Joe Taylor scored the winner in just the third minute for the hosts.

Kick-off for Saturday’s game is at 3pm with admission costing £8.00 for adults, £6.00 for concessions and £3.00 for 12-16 year olds with under-12s free.

The club are hoping for a large crowd on Saturday, so ensure to arrive in plenty of time for kick-off. We look forward to seeing you!

Worthing possible squad from: Rikki Banks, Jack Fagan, Matt Piper, Will Hendon, Matt Hurley, Corey Heath, Steve Metcalf, Jazz Rance, Matt Axell, Brannon O’Neill, Ryan Quirke, Harry Smith, Jack Barnes, Mark Goldson, Liam Kimber, Ryan Morey, Lloyd Dawes, Omar Bugiel, Casey Johnson, Ben Pope.

Faversham Town possible squad from: Simon Overland, Robert French, Tom Benham, Matthew Bourne, Ashley Brown, Jamie Maxted, John Scarborough, Ryan Cooper, Dan Carrington, Freeman Rogers, Chris Webber, David Botterill, George Monger, Wayne Wilson, Daniel King, Taser Hassan, Charley Robertson, Mobolaji Dawodu, Dean Grant, Stuart King, Renford Tenyue, Joe Lester.

Match preview by Sam Skilton. Photo by official club photographer Studio IV.