The fixture comes after the Reds’ top-of-the-table clash with second-placed Bishop’s Stortford was postponed at short notice due to a waterlogged pitch – one of nine league games axed in light of the effects of storm Eunice.

Worthing’s last fixture was seven days ago, which moved them six points clear at the top of the table having beaten Kingstonian by four goals to nil:

A first half brace from Callum Kealy was matched by two goals in the second period from Jasper Pattenden and Reece Meekums as Worthing cruised to victory at the Crucial Environmental Stadium.

The Pitching In Isthmian League Division One South East, however, was largely unaffected by the extraordinary conditions with Haywards Heath losing out to Three Bridges by three goals to two on Saturday, although remained in the playoffs through Herne Bay’s failure to win.

Road so far

Worthing overcame Kingstonian in the previous round thanks to a strike from academy graduate Owen Worsdell in the 88th minute, meanwhile Haywards Heath have been penalty-shootout victors on two occasions to set the tie up at Hanbury Park:

First, a 1-1 draw with Ramsgate was followed by a 7-6 win on spot-kicks in the second round, before a three-apiece scoreline was again settled by a shootout win, this time 5-4 against Ashford United in the third.

Recent meetings

The two sides last met in a “mid-season friendly” in December of 2020 after the suspension of the 2020-21 campaign at Hanbury Park, which Haywards Heath ran out 4-2 winners.

Supporter information

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults £10, Concessions £5, Under 18s £1

DIRECTIONS 

“Hanbury Stadium is located on Allen Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 3PT. It is a 10 minute walk from Haywards Heath Station and there are adequate parking spaces on site and in the surrounding roads for supporters traveling by car.”