Despite the Rebels having yet to play Eastbourne Borough and Dorking Wanderers this season, it will already be the second time we encounter Farnborough in the 2025/25 National League South campaign.

The reverse fixture in August was marred by Aaron Kuhl’s serious injury in stoppage-time, on an evening where the Yellows edged a 1-0 victory.

In just the third game of the season, Mason Bloomfield waltzed into the area and slotted a finish past Seb Stacey to condemn Worthing to a first loss of the 2025/26 campaign.

Not only will a sense of revenge be on the cards in West Sussex, but Adam Hinshelwood and his players will also be looking to bounce back after last weekend’s defeat in the Isuzu FA Trophy.

A thrilling 3-3 draw away to Gloucester City culminated in a penalty shootout, which saw the Tigers hold the nerve to progress into the last 32 of the competition.

The silver lining of a disappointing exit is the fact that the Reds can now focus all of their energy on their league campaign and Sussex Transport Senior Cup exploits, which resume in the New Year.

Recent home form indicates another positive afternoon, with five wins out of five matches and four clean sheets along the way.  However, Farnborough have a track record of success at Woodside Road and have picked up three points in all three of their recent visits.

TEAM NEWS

In his weekly preview, manager Adam Hinshelwood reported that the squad was “fairly stretched” ahead of the weekend’s match.

Cheltenham Town loanee Tom King faces another spell on the sidelines after damaging his hamstring and ankle last weekend. An innocuous challenge resulted in the teenager requiring treatment deep into first-half stoppage-time before being replaced by Brad Dolaghan.

George Cox is still nursing a groin injury which has prevented him from featuring in recent weeks, while Finlay Chadwick picked up a knock in training. Sam Beard and Bailey Smith are continuing their respective recoveries from long-term injuries.

THE OPPOSITION

Farnborough have found their groove in recent weeks and are currently enjoying their most consistent period of the season so far.

The Hampshire-based outfit are unbeaten in their last four matches, which include successive league victories. Their narrow 1-0 win over Salisbury last weekend saw them record consecutive NLS triumphs for the first time since March and pulled them further away from the relegation zone.

Spencer Day’s side now have a five-point cushion from the dreaded bottom four, although they have played a couple more matches than their competitors.

A leaky defence has contributed to a largely underwhelming season heading into 2026, with only Slough Town (39) conceding more than their 38 goals this term.

There has been noticeable regression in the early stages of the campaign compared to last, where Farnborough finished in a respectable 10th place.

THE GAFFER

Farnborough manager Spencer Day is one of the longest-serving gaffers in the division, having been in charge of the Yellows since 2011.

During a turbulent 14-year spell in charge of the Hampshire-based club, Day has consolidated Farnborough’s status as a National League South outfit.

The 53-year-old’s time at the Saunders Transport Community Stadium has consisted of several promotions and demotions. However, the positives far outshine the negatives, with several of the tough spells being down to issues outside of his control.

Day has also held the manager’s post at Chertsey during a coaching career that has spanned almost two decades.

He first came to recognition as a teenager in 1989 when he saved Aldershot from closure with a £200,000 signed affidavit.  Three months later, he departed.

ONE TO WATCH

Strike partners Rakish Bingham and Dominic Poleon have struck fear into the hearts of National League South defenders for numerous seasons.

The latter is enjoying a fractionally more productive campaign, with nine goals in the league this term, one more than teammate Bingham.

Poleon may be approaching the twilight of his career, but at 32-years-old, the winger still knows where the back of the net is.

The Saint Lucia international netted four goals in four games in November, before being forced off with injury during a match where he recorded a brace away to Chippenham.

Fortunately for Farnborough, their top scorer’s return is timely, with a brief cameo in the 1-0 win over Salisbury last weekend helping him return to full fitness in time for the weekend’s action.

The Yellows’ talisman is renowned for the integral part he played in Ebbsfleet United’s record-breaking NLS campaign in the 2022/23 season. Poleon found the net on a staggering 35 occasions in the league, helping the Fleet to promotion into the fifth tier. He followed it up with 16 goals in the National League before a mixture of injuries and misfortune resulted in a dip in form and relegation for him and his side. Poleon switched up the scenery with a move to Farnborough in the summer, where he has rediscovered his prolific nature.

LEAGUE FORM GUIDE

Worthing FC | W12 D3 L5 GD: +23 | Pos: 2nd

League Form: WWLWW

MD16: Worthing 4-0 AFC Totton | Scorers: Brad Dolaghan x3 & Razzaq Coleman De-Graft

MD17: Slough Town 1-2 Worthing | Scorers: Brad Dolaghan x2

MD18: Torquay United 3-2 Worthing | Scorers: Joel Colbran & Joe Cook

MD19: Worthing 5-0 Hornchurch | Scorers: Brad Dolaghan x2, Razzaq Coleman De-Graft, Toby Byron and Nathan Odokonyero

MD20: Ebbsfleet United 1-2 Worthing | Scorers: Brad Dolaghan & Razzaq Coleman De-Graft

Farnborough FC |  W6 D6 L10 GD: -8 | Pos: 17th

League Form: WWDDL

MD18: Enfield Town 5-1 Farnborough | Scorer: Dominic Poleon

MD19: Chippenham Town 2-2 Farnborough | Scorers: Dominic Poleon x2

MD20: Farnborough 1-1 Ebbsfleet United | Scorer: Hakeem Sandah

MD21: Farnborough 4-2 AFC Totton | Scorers: Hakeem Sandah, Ollie Robinson, Rakish Bingham x2

MD22: Farnborough 1-0 Salisbury | Scorer: Rakish Bingham

VIEW FROM THE CAMP- ADAM HINSHELWOOD

“We know we have to keep our standards high and keep challenging ourselves.”

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

Buy Tickets

HOW TO FOLLOW

If you can’t be at the game, you can follow the game via live updates from the club’s official X account.

You can also listen to live commentary via the club’s official commentary service.