After needing a replay to beat Jersey Bulls in the previous stage, Chris Agutter and his players will be hoping they can remain in the world’s oldest cup competition this weekend.
However, a formidable opponent stands in our way, with seventh-tier Wimborne also vying for a spot in the fourth qualifying round. The Magpies have made their stadium a fortress in recent months and haven’t tasted defeat on home soil since early February.
If Saturday’s tie was to end all square, a replay will be played between the two sides on the following Tuesday (30th September) at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
The Rebels will be looking to make amends for last weekend’s result against Tonbridge Angels, as they fell to a narrow defeat in West Sussex. With a place in the hat for Monday’s draw at stake, both sides will undoubtedly be motivated to proceed one stop closer to the coveted First Round Proper at their opponent’s expense.
THE OPPOSITION
Wimborne Town were in action during midweek as they produced a late comeback to beat Plymouth Parkway at home.
It extended their unbeaten home record to 13 matches, a statistic Worthing will be hoping to end tomorrow afternoon.
They have already beaten National League South opposition in the FA Cup this season, as they knocked out Bath City a fortnight ago.
In the league standings, the Magpies find themselves in 5th position in the Southern League Premier League South after nine games.
You have to cast your mind (or your imagination) back to the 1982/83 season to stumble across Wimborne’s best performance in the FA Cup. The Dorset-based club managed to reach the First Round Proper before exiting the competition after being defeated by Aldershot.
The Gaffer
Tim Sills has transformed the trajectory of Wimborne Town since his appointment in October 2022. Within a three-year period, the 46-year-old has guided the Magpies to promotion into the seventh-tier through a league title victory, before laying the foundations to build a team with ambitions of reaching the National League South.
His managerial career has been decorated with other successes including being in charge of Hamworthy United’s Wessex Premier League title success in 2022, while also reaching the semi-finals of the FA Vase in the same campaign.
Sills made over 700 appearances as a player, leading the line for clubs such as Torquay United, Basingstoke Town and Aldershot Town.
The striker’s goal record earned him an England C call-up in 2003, as he was part of the squad that played a Belgium U23 outfit in Ostend.
One to Watch
Since joining in the summer, Lewis Williams has already firmly established himself as a fan favourite at the Wyatt Homes stadium.
Wimborne recently secured his services following a scintillating campaign with Andover New Street, where he recorded 46 goal contributions in 46 games.
The winger has managed to carry his productivity across into his new club, having already netted five goals in nine league matches.
That’s without mentioning the four goals he has scored in the FA Cup this season, with a hat-trick in the 5-2 First Round Qualifying victory away to Bishop’s Cleeve and the decisive goal in the 2-1 win over Bath City in the previous round.
Form
Wimborne Town FC: WDW
Wimborne 3-2 Plymouth Parkway | Scorers: Lewis Williams, Joe Smith, Will Fletcher
Wimborne 1-1 Evesham United | Scorer: Joe Smith
Wimborne 2-1 Bath City | Scorers: Josh McQuiod and Lewis Williams
Worthing FC: LWD
Worthing 0-1 Tonbridge Angels | National League South
Worthing 5-0 Jersey Bulls , FA Cup Second Round Qualifying Replay | Scorers: Temi Babalola x3, Razzaq Coleman De-Graft and Brad Dolaghan
Jersey Bulls 2-2 Worthing | FA Cup Second Round Qualifying | Scorers: Razzaq Coleman De-Graft and Temi Babalola
View from the Camp- Chris Agutter
On Billy Vigar’s Passing: “I want to give my sincere condolences on behalf of the staff, players and Football Club as a whole to Billy’s loved ones and everyone involved with Chichester City.”
On Wimborne: “They are similar to Jersey, just a better version in terms of how they will set up. Obviously they beat Bath City in the previous round and they’ve also been incredibly competitive against a number of other National League South sides in recent months.
“They are at the top end of Step Three, they are very well-organised and a good side. It will be a tough game but we relish the challenge.”
Travel Guide
Please note the A27 is CLOSED WESTBOUND at HILSEA (near Portsmouth). Make sure you leave plenty of time before travelling along the coast.
The Worthing Football Club Supporters Association have arranged travel for supporters planning on making the trip to Dorset this Saturday. Minibuses will be provided for fans, with the fare costing £20 per person.
Vehicles are scheduled to depart the Sussex Transport Community Stadium at 10am.
For more information, please follow this link: WFCSAtravel.co.uk
Tickets
Tickets for the tie are on General Sale. The game will not be segregted.
Prices for the encounter are as follows:
Adult: £14.00
Concession: £8.00
Under 18s: £5.00
Under 13s: £2.00
Secure your place at The Wyatt Homes Stadium through the FanBase app: https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/ChooseQuantity?ticketId=3710&fixtureId=14941
All entry into the ground and club house is via the turnstiles, which will be open by 12.30 pm.
Parking at ground is £1.
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.
