A brace from Teddy Jenks and yet another goal for birthday boy Brad Dolaghan helped Adam Hinshelwood’s side edged past title contenders Dorking at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.

Joe Cook saw red in the dying embers of the encounter for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity as Patrick Casey pierced through the heart of the defence. However, his teammates defended like their lives depended on it to ensure the three points belonged to the home side.

An electric atmosphere buoyed on both sets of supporters with the opening exchanges contested at a blistering speed.

Dorking had the better of the first minutes, with their game plan evident from the referee’s first whistle. Balls were being floated and arrowed deep into the Worthing half, with the likes of Patrick Casey and Jason Prior causing a nuisance. The latter proved to be a handful for Harry Ransom inside the opening 90 seconds and latched onto a cross from the right. His contact sailed over the crossbar with Josh Jeffries sprawling across his goal-line.

Seconds later, Shiloh Remy had the ball in the net but Dan Baines had blown his whistle beforehand to penalise an offside offence from Razzaq Coleman De-Graft.

Chances were arriving thick and fast, as Casey was released with an inviting through ball over the top of the defence. However, Jeffries stood firm to thwart the Charlton Athletic loanee with a strong stop.

The Reds broke down the other end and created a chance of their own, as Jenks sent a half-volley narrowly wide of Harrison Foulkes’ net.

Our number 24 wouldn’t be denied for much longer, as he broke the deadlock in the 11th minute. Toby Byron displayed  great desire to reach Remy’s pass on the by-line and cut a pass back to Jenks. The accuracy of the pass allowed the midfielder to strike first time, and despite not catching the shot sweetly, the ball spin into the bottom corner.

Dorking’s response was emphatic to falling behind and after a few near misses, they levelled matters.

Neat interchange between Prior and Casey saw the former pick out the latter, who swept a first-time finish into the bottom corner from close-range.

The visitors looked to swiftly complete the comeback but weathered the storm to prevent the concession of a second.

Slightly against the run of play, Worthing reclaimed the advantage through a familiar source. Brad Dolaghan squirmed away from Tony Craig inside the area and struck from a tight angle. Foulkes couldn’t prevent the finish from squeezing past him and Dolaghan wheeled away to celebrate his 18th league goal of the season. Not a bad way to celebrate your 21st birthday.

However, the joy was short-lived as Dorking restored parity for a second time within 60 seconds.

Captain Charlie Carter worked an angle to unleash an effort from the edge of the box, that proved too powerful to handle for Jeffries, who looked distraught as the ball crossed the line. A very rare error from a very talented goalkeeper.

Marc White’s team continued to push and Worthing had the frame of the goal to thank in the 40th minute. Jason Prior found a yard of space and beat Jeffires, but the strike skimmed the crossbar and rose over.

The first half drew to a close with the game finely poised. The Reds flew out of the traps in the second period and were much-improved.  Dolaghan, Razzaq Coleman De-Graft and Jenks were pressing with intent and their efforts yielded the winner.

Brennan Camp stumbled over the ball and gifted possession to Jenks who raced clear on goal. Dolaghan was screaming for a square pass, but Jenks ignored his cries and delicately curled a finish beyond Foulkes and into the bottom corner via the left post. Pandemonium ensued at Woodside. Worthing took the lead for the third time and this time it was for good.

Dorking were stunned by the renewed energy of their opponents and Foulkes was required to keep them in the match. Byron’s shot was parried into the side-netting, while Shiloh Remy almost sealed his full debut with a goal, but his shot from inside the box was blocked.

Ollie Godziemski was introduced on the hour mark and brought an added dynamism down the left. As the tannoy revealed a record official home attendance of 3,735, Coleman De-Graft’s curling strike was parried to the teenage substitute, although he could only ripple the wrong side of the netting.

Dan Gallagher was then slightly fortunate to escape a second booking, after illegally halting Jenks’ progress on the halfway line. The defender was swiftly taken off.

The game would still have a final melodramatic highlight, as Cook was given his marching orders in the last seconds. It would turn out to be a tactically reasonable decision from the defender as he wiped out Jake Lawrence on the edge of his own box as he beared down on goal. No love lost between our number five and his former side.

Referee Dan Baines awarded a free-kick inside the ‘D’, which was valiantly blocked. After a very late corner as the clock ticked over 100 minutes, the referee blew his whistle for the final time.

Worthing concluded 2025 with a vital three points, a result that takes them top of the National League South table heading into the New Year, as Hornchurch fell to a home defeat to Maidstone United.