It was Sussex Derby action at a very wet and windy Woodside Road, to open 2025 as Worthing hosted local rivals Eastbourne Borough. 

Borough began the game brightly and came closest to opening the scoring 12 minutes in when former Rebel Michael Klass struck the crossbar with a powerful free kick from range, before Chris Haigh reacted quickly to deny Alfie Pavey on the rebound.

Six minutes later Haigh was forced into action once more. This time the keeper made himself big to deny Jack Clarke from close range. 

Worthing grew into the half and nearly caught Borough out in the 37th minute when the visitor’s goalkeeper Joe Wright miss-hit a clearance straight into the path of Nicky Wheeler who was pressing intensely. 

Wheeler managed to get a shot off, but Wright recovered well to keep the score level at 0-0. 

In first half stoppage time Rebels striker Mo Faal had his first opportunity when he looked to catch Wright off his line with a looping effort. Unfortunately, the ball sailed just wide of the mark. 

There was still time for another chance before the break though. Klass struck well from a free-kick once again and Haigh was needed down-low to prevent Chris Agutter’s side from going in a goal behind at the break. 

After the interval, Worthing began to dominate and created the half’s first chance as Danny Cashman wove free from a couple of Borough players before threading the ball through for Faal who couldn’t find the target from a tight angle.

However, the game’s biggest chance came 15 minutes from time. Nicky Wheeler delivered a trademark curling cross from the left flank in-towards captain Joel Colbran, who thought he had found the opener with his diverted effort but was agonisingly denied by another good save from Wright. 

Faal was lurking and tried to pounce upon the rebound but was a second too late as he accidentally caught Wright and found himself in the referee’s book. 

Four minutes later the Mackerel Men came close again as Jack Spong’s free-kick was flicked on well by the head of Joe Partington and onto the roof of the net. 

In the 85th minute, the Rebels were nearly made to pay for their missed opportunities as the towering figure of Borough centre back Moussa Diarra was picked out at the back post following a free kick. 

Thankfully for the hosts, Sam Beard intervened and cleared to safety to ensure that the spoils would be shared in Sussex. 

The point sees Worthing move up to fourth and to within four points of league leaders Torquay United who we host in the Isuzu Trophy on Saturday afternoon.

As for Eastbourne, they move up to sixth, joining us in the play-off spots.