With the season still very much in its infancy, the Rebels will be searching for a statement victory following a tough start to the campaign.
This week offered the coaching staff an opportunity to reassess after the squad endured a gruelling schedule of four games in just nine days. During that period, we picked up our first three points of the season away to Horsham before drawing to Enfield and narrowly losing to Farnborough and Chippenham Town.
A sense of revenge may play a part in the proceedings, as tomorrow’s opponents were the side to knock us out of the play-offs last season at the Eliminator stage. They ran out 2-0 winners that day in West Sussex, courtesy of two penalties that were both dispatched by Ben Brookes.
Despite the sense of frustration thus far, the Rebels are undefeated at home following their draws with Bath City and Enfield Town.
TEAM NEWS
Odei Martin Sorondo and Aarran Racine will be assessed after the pair were absent from the squad in the defeat to Chippenham Town on Bank Holiday Monday.
Goalkeeper Taylor Seymour was named in the 18-man squad at Hardenhuish Park, a first inclusion in a matchday sqaud for the 23-year-old in over a year. The ‘Sussex Cat’ is now back in training following his anterior cruciate ligament injury.
FORM
Worthing FC | W1 D2 L2 | GD: -1 | Pos: 15th
Form: LDLWD
MD1: Worthing 1-1 Bath City | Scorer: Brad Dolaghan
MD2: Horsham 3-4 Worthing | Scorers: Temi Babalola, Sam Beard, Jack Spong (Pen), Sam Packham
MD3: Farnborough 1-0 Worthing
MD4: Worthing 0-0 Enfield Town
MD5: Chippenham Town 1-0 Worthing
Maidstone United | W2 D3 L0 | GD: +3 | Pos: 6th
Form: DWWDD
MD1: Hemel Hempstead 1-1 Maidstone United | Scorer: Dayshonne Golding
MD2: Maidstone United 1-1 Torquay United | Scorer: John Gilbert
MD3: Maidstone United 2-0 Hampton & Richmond Borough | Scorers: Deon Moore & Own Goal
MD4: AFC Totton 0-1 Maidstone United | Scorer: Deon Moore
MD5: Maidstone United 0-0 Chelmsford City
THE OPPOSITION
Maidstone United are looking to preserve their unbeaten record this season, as they are one of only two teams in the National League South that are yet to taste defeat.
The Stones have picked up nine points from their opening five games, with two wins and three draws. They find themselves in sixth position prior to the weekend’s action.
Worthing have a tough test in store this weekend, as Maidstone currently possess the strongest defence in the division. George Elokobi’s men have only conceded twice in their first five encounters and have kept three successive clean sheets.
Tomorrow’s opponents undoubtedly have ambitions of promotion and returning to the fifth tier of English football. They fell at the final hurdle a few months ago, as they were defeated in the National League South play-off Final against Boreham Wood.
Maidstone gained national attention in 2024 as they became the first club outside of the top five tiers of English football to reach the FA Cup fifth round since Blyth Spartans in 1978. A historic run included beating Ipswich Town 2-1 at Portman Road in the fourth round of the prestigious competition before they were eliminated by eventual semi-finalists Coventry City.
THE GAFFER
Former Wolverhampton Wanderers centre-back George Elokobi has been at the helm at the Gallagher Stadium since 2023.
The Cameroonian defender was revered at Molineux for his colossal performances, charming personality and eccentric dance moves, as he made 85 appearances for the Premier League outfit during a six-year spell.
He intiially commenced his playing career at Dulwich Hamlet before turning out for the likes of Colchester United, Oldham Athletic and Nottingham Forest.
The 39-year joined the Stones at the twilight of his career in 2019 before retiring three years later. He was then appointed as the Caretaker Manager following Hakan Hayrettin’s dismissal and was subsequently named First-Team manager after an encouraging spell.
Under Elokobi, Maidstone have continuously challenged at the top of the table and fought in all competitions.
Elokobi is part of an exclusive group of footballers. Despite being a defender, he scored in every division from the Premier League to the National League South. He also won promotion on four separate occasions.
ONE TO WATCH
Deon Moore is in fine form for the Stones, having netted twice in his last three outings. He opened his account for his new employers in the 2-0 victory over Hampton & Richmond Borough before notching the winner against AFC Totton.
The 26-year-old made the switch to Kent this summer following his release from National League outfit Woking. Moore is familiar with this division having spent the second half of the 2025/26 campaign at Welling United, as they were relegated from the National League South.
A former EFL player, the Stones’ new hero has also been on the books at Bristol Rovers and Peterborough United.
Born in Croydon, Moore represents Guyana on the international stage. The forward has made 12 senior appearances for the Golden Jaguars, and has found the net five times. His first international goal came in October 2023, as he scored against Puerto Rico in a CONCACAF Nations League match.
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate for tomorrow’s match, although supporters are advised to purchase their ticket in advance via the Fanbase app.
- Adults: £18
- Concession: £14
- Under-18: £8
- Under-12: £5
- Under-6: Free entry
HOW TO FOLLOW
If you can’t be at the game, you can follow the game via live updates from the club’s official Twitter account.
You can also listen to live commentary via the club’s official commentary service.
