It was a disappointing result in midweek for the Rebels as they conceded four second-half goals against the Seagulls to leave the Optima Stadium empty-handed.

The Rebels had the better of the chances in the first half but couldn’t find a way through despite creating a large number of chances.

Despite the defeat, Worthing still occupy the final playoff position in the National League South, sitting 7th and still with at least one game in hand over every other team in the playoffs at this moment in time.

The Opposition

The Saints have had a difficult run of late, winning just once in their last seven outings. However, that single win came against high-flying Maidstone United who are currently placed second in the league table.

Last time out, St Albans were beaten by Truro City on the road, losing 3-1 at Bolitho Park.

St Albans come into the fixture placed 17th in the National League South, with 25 points from 20 matches.

From
2/12 – Truro City (A) – Lost 3-1
25/11 – Maidstone United (H) – Won 3-2
21/11 – Weston-super-Mare (H) – Lost 0-1
18/11 – Bishop’s Stortford (A) – Lost 3-1 (FA Trophy)
11/11 – Tonbridge Angels (H) – Lost 2-3
7/11 – Braintree Town (A) – Lost 4-0

Familiar Faces

Saturday’s match will see the return of two of last season’s squad members, Dan Bowry and Ibby Akanbi.

Akanbi joined the Rebels in October last year and went on to make 29 league appearances for the club, scoring 7 goals.

Bowry signed in the summer of 2022 from Kings Lynn Town and went on to make 24 appearances in total last season. His only goal for the club came in the 2-2 draw with Slough Town at Woodside Road in October last year.

Previous Meetings

The sides most recently met on 11th February 2023, in what was a great match for the neutrals.
Falling 2-0 behind early on in this National League South fixture, the Rebels drew level only to go behind
again, before finding another equaliser before half-time. Worthing went behind and equalised again in the
second-half, eventually losing 5-4.

Earlier on in last season’s campaign, the Rebels secured all three points on their travels, edging past the Saints as 1-0 winners.

Worthing’s largest winning margin in this fixture is three, when the Saints were defeated 6-3 at Woodside
Road on 9th October 1982 in Division 1 of the Isthmian League; The Rebels ended the season as champions
and St Albans finished bottom.

Team News

Adam Hinshelwood anticipates that both Nicky Wheeler (ankle) and Jake Robinson (hamstring) will be back available for selection for tomorrow’s encounter with the Saints.

Kane Wills missed Tuesday’s trip to Weston-super-Mare due to work commitments but the midfielder will also be back for the Rebels tomorrow afternoon.

Hinshelwood confirmed that midfielder Jesse Starkey is likely to be out for a couple of weeks with a calf niggle that he sustained last weekend against Chippenham Town.