Weymouth Vs Worthing
National League South, Saturday 21 September, Bob Lucas Stadium, 15.00 BST
Welcome back to league football, Terras fans!
With two FA-Cup fixtures either side of today’s contest, this sandwich game sees us back at home for the first time since the start of the month, against fellow South-coast side Worthing.
Our mood around camp, understandably, has been a little brighter over the past couple of weeks.
First came “relief” in Dorking, then a cup crusade; a comfortable 4-1 win in Sholing has put us just one game from the FA Cup First Round Proper.
We don’t need to tell you just how much it would mean for us to get there, do we?
However, looking to strike at our imperial ground are The Rebels, who have shown their ability to fight on our turf; their 4-1 victory at our expense last season is one we are desperate to forget.
Chris Agutter’s side also boast just one league defeat this campaign, certainly the form expected of a team who just missed out on promotion last season.
They have, though, conceded 14 goals already this season; following our four-goal feast last week, The Rebels may be heading to Dorset’s death star at just the wrong time…
HOW TO FOLLOW
We are pleased to announce that commentary will be provided this afternoon by Craig Andrews; click HERE to access his in-game thoughts.
Live updates will also be posted on our social media accounts; footage and reaction will also be uploaded after the final whistle.
THE OPPOSITION
Founded in 1886, Worthing are one of the league’s most historic clubs.
But, despite their lengthy existence, their success has been relatively recent, earning themselves a promotion to England’s sixth tier for the first time only three years ago.
Their first season amongst the big boys ended in unprecedented success, finishing fourth, only behind eventual play-off winner Oxford City on goal difference.
Though the campaign ended in semi-final sorrow at the hands of The Hoops, their debut delighted suggested that we would witness a formidable football team the next campaign.
Which is exactly what happened.
The Sussex side again finished in the play-offs, only this time in third place.
The dreaded goal difference struck back once again, as they finished marginally behind Chelmsford City.
Hearts would be further broken with an extra-time defeat in the play-off finals; it’s fair to say Reggie Lambe won’t be invited to Woodside Road anytime soon.
Following the defeat, their attempt to get back on track this season has been a mixed bag, as they sit in 11th place.
However, their one defeat suggests they have lost none of their formidability.
The Rebels’ ability to strike in front of goal is their main talking point with only four less than Hemel Hempstead Town, the league’s top scorers.
Danny Cashman, scoring four of their 12 in the league, leads the armed attack, as he boasts an impressive start to the campaign.
However, the East-Sussex side have seen goals go in at both ends, conceding 14, with just the one clean sheet.
If there’s ever a wrong team for them to face, it’s a hungry group of players that have just discovered their mojo.
This afternoon may see The Mackerel Men swim away from Dorset shores empty-handed…
PREVIOUS RESULTS
Despite both clubs being founded in the late 19th Century, clashes between the sides have been hard to come by, this fixture only taking place for the first time two years ago.
Though since then neither club appears able to be apart from each other for too long, with five meetings taking place since the first encounter.
Given the Mackerel Men’s footballing feast since their ascent into the National League South, it will perhaps be of little surprise that they boast the upper hand in this fixture, comfortably, with four wins to our sole victory in December 2022.
The last time we faced off at the Bob Lucas Stadium was a day we want to forget; a 4-1 defeat saw our opponents travel back to Sussex with a deserved three points.
The previous showdown took place in Worthing, where we were once again pointless.
Fittingly enough, Sonny Fish was on the scoresheet for The Mackerel Men as they ran out 2-0 winners.
However, times have since changed for both sides, as they sit in the dugout with a change in management.
Rest be assured, though, the desire to win remains the same.
As Euan Pollock told us yesterday, “we know what we need to do.”