Worthing are searching for their first win of the calendar year after being held at home last weekend against Chippenham Town.

Late goals from the recently-departed Nathan Odokonyero and skipper Joel Colbran spared our blushes after the opposition had accumulated a 2-0 lead.

Despite dropping points, the Reds remained at the top of the National League South table, with Hornchurch’s match – coincidentally against Salisbury- being postponed.

Tomorrow’s match is the first of four away games in the space of 17 days, as the Mackerel Men also visit Bath City and Hampton & Richmond Borough in the league later on in the month, with a trip to Broadbridge Heath in the quarter-final of the Sussex Transport Senior Cup also to come on Tuesday night.

Team News

Joe Cook is ruled out of contention through suspension following his dismissal in the dying embers of our 3-2 triumph over Dorking Wanderers at the end of 2025.

Due to competition rules, the central defender was eligible to play last weekend, but will now serve his one-game ban this weekend.

Toby Byron and George Cox will be assessed to determine their availability, while Sam Beard edges closer to a return to training.

THE OPPOSITION

A recent upturn in form has seen the Whites slightly distance themselves from the threat of relegation.

Aside from the anomaly of a 6-0 home trouncing to Maidenhead Untied, Brian Dutton’s side have made the Raymond McEnhill Stadium a fortress over the last few months.

Five wins out of the seven matches on home turf have temporarily eased the fears of losing their National League South status, including vital victories over fellow strugglers Slough Town and Farnborough. Currently positioned in 18th place, there is still only a three point gap between them and the dreaded dotted red line.

After surviving the drop by a single point last year, they’ll be hoping they can secure their safety once again, but with bit more comfortability this time round.

Salisbury have the advantage of a few extra days of rest compared to Worthing, with last weekend’s trip to Hornchurch being postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

THE GAFFER 

Brian Dutton has occupied the hotseat at the ‘Ray Mac since October 2022 and has extensive coaching experience under his belt.

Prior to joining up with the Whites in Wiltshire, Dutton was Assistant Manager at EFL outfits Bristol Rovers and Walsall.

The 40-year-old even had a spell as Interim Manager with the latter and navigated the Saddlers to safety amidst the limitations and difficult circumstances that the Covid-19 Pandemic brought.

Following on froma  brief spell as Academy Manager at Bristol Rovers, Dutton was appointed manager by Salisbury and steered them to middle of the pack in the Southern League Premier South. In his first full season in charge, the former Salisbury player earned promotion into the National League South via the play-offs and has helped prove they belong at this level in the years since.

ONE TO WATCH

Goalkeeper Will Buse is much-revered by the Salisbury FC faithful and has been voted as their Player of the Month for three successive months.

The 24-year-old has kept seven clean sheets in the league this term, with plenty of important saves in their other matches.

Formerly of Yeovil, Bath City and Bristol City, Buse joined the club in the summer from Weymouth.

The shot-stopper is closing in on a century of appearances in the National League South, with 98 to his name so far.

LEAGUE FORM GUIDE

Worthing FC | W15 D4 L5 GD: +32 | Pos: 1st

League Form: DWWWW

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

MD21: Worthing 5-0 Farnborough | Scorers: Brad Dolaghan x2, Jack Spong, Toby Byron & Razzaq Coleman De-Graft

MD22: Eastbourne Borough 0-3 Worthing | Scorers: Jack Spong, Brad Dolaghan, Razzaq Coleman De-Graft

MD23: Worthing 3-2 Dorking Wanderers | Scorers: Teddy Jenks x2 and Brad Dolaghan

MD24: Worthing 2-2 Chippenham Town | Scorers: Nathan Odokonyero and Joel Colbran

Salisbury FC | W7 D6 L12 GD: -13 | Pos: 18th

League Form: LWLLW

MD21: Salisbury 1-0 Hemel Hempstead | Scorers: Noah Coppin

MD22: Farnborough 1-0 Salisbury

MD23: Bath City 2-0 Salisbury

MD24: Salisbury 3-1 AFC Totton | Scorers: Josh Hedges x2 & Noah Coppin

MD25: Weston-super-Mare 1-0 Salisbury

Last Meeting 

Worthing FC 2-0 Salisbury FC | National League South | 2nd September 2025

Two goals within the space of six minutes gave the Rebels their first three points at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium of the 2025/26 season.

Joe Cook headed in from a corner towards the end of the first period, before Joel Colbran doubled the advantage with the last action of the half, as he converted from Sam Beard’s pin-point delivery in the third minute of stoppage-time.

The home defence held firm in the second half to record an important win at Salisbury’s expense.

VIEW FROM THE CAMP – Jon Meeney

“We need to match their hunger, their passion, their energy and their intensity. We’re ready and we’re looking forward to it.”

Tickets

Tickets for this match are available on Salisbury FC’s official website.

Please ensure you purchase your ticket in the desired part of the stadium. Worthing FC Supporter Tickets are labelled ‘Away Supporters’

Secure your tickets through the following link: Buy Tickets

Admission Prices for the match at The Raymond McEnhill Stadium are as follows:

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.