The Mackerels go into the match against the Tanners without a weekend fixture due to Potters Bar Town’s involvement in the FA Cup second qualifying round on Saturday – last playing seven days ago, beating a 10-man Lewes side 3-1 at The Dripping Pan thanks to a brace from Dajon Golding and and an own goal to maintain their 100% league record thus far.

Meanwhile, hosts Leatherhead have made a topsy-turvy start to their campaign which sees them in 10th position after three games.

Ten days ago, the Tanners suffered a 7-0 thumping from high-flying Bowers & Pitsea, but responded with a 1-0 win away to Haringey Borough 48 hours later to board their first league win.

While a clean sheet at to home to Margate on Saturday maintained some consistent form on the pitch, off it, Leatherhead confirmed club secretary Jeremy Smith expanded his role to become Chief Operating Officer with Daniel Hodges remaining as chairman.

Last season’s only league meeting between the two sides produced an extraordinary 5-5 draw at Woodside Road in September of last year:

Despite Worthing leading 1-0 and 3-2 curtesy of a goal from Ollie Pearce and a brace from Reece Meekums, three goals in four minutes fired the Tanners into a 5-3 lead in the 66th minute.

Although Lloyd Dawes pulled a goal back three minutes later, Worthing were running out of time to salvage a draw but Mason Doughty levelled in the 87th minute to share the spoils.

The sides also met in the Velocity Trophy back in January at Woodside Road, with goals from Jasper Pattenden and Callum Kealy helping the Mackerels to a comfortable 2-0 win.

The return league fixture at Leatherhead was cancelled amidst the abandoning of the season due to COVID-19, meaning the Reds’ last outing at Fetcham Grove was a 2-1 defeat to the Tanners suffered in January of 2019.

Tonight’s match is to be played in front of a ticket-only crowd in light of Coronavirus restrictions, with Leatherhead FC issuing the following safety procedures:

Matchday Covid-19 information

• NHS track and trace scanning will be available at the ground for app users.
• Please only congregate in groups of six or less around the ground.
• Please adhere to out one-way system in the bar.
• Face coverings will need to be worn while collecting your drinks from the bar.
• Please maintain two metre social distancing and continue to follow government guidelines.

“While we adjust to these new ways of working, we thank you for your patience and respectfully ask you to be courteous towards our staff and volunteers.

“Most importantly… enjoy the game”