The 2025/26 season is well and truly upon us. A sun-drenched Sussex Transport Community Stadium welcomed fans into the stands for the first time in 73 days, with word spreading fast of a West Ham XI visiting the Rebels.
Manager Chris Agutter handed teenage goalkeeper Seb Stacey his debut following his loan move from MK Dons yesterday afternoon. Elsewhere, new signings Kwaku Frimpong, Nathan Odokonyero, Toby Byron and Razzaq Coleman De-Graft also started their first appearance at their new home.
A bumper crowd of 2,694 spectators witnessed an evenly-contested start to proceedings, as both teams assessed their opposition.
Shortly after Stacey had thwarted striker Josh Ajala with a fingertip stop, the young Hammers began to find some rhythm and a flowing move culminated with them breaking the deadlock in West Sussex.
On the quarter of an hour mark, Dan Rigge found space down the left-flank and expertly cut the ball back to Ryan Battrum. The 19-year-old composed himself before sending a well-struck half-volley past Stacey.
Despite falling behind, Chis Agutter’s side were undeterred and conjured a swift response. Moments after Bailey Smith had fired an effort just wide of the post, the pacy forward bravely restored parity. The former Brighton & Hove Albion player managed to flick an effort past goalkeeper Mason Terry, and while the two players clattered into each other, the ball bounced over the goal-line.
The hosts dominated the remainder of the first period and had chances to take the lead, but Terry was equal to the attempts from Jack Spong and Kwaku Frimpong.
At the break, Brad Dolaghan was amongst several of the planned alterations for the hosts. The Worthing academy graduate was introduced against his former side after resigning for the Rebels earlier in the day and certainly had an afternoon to remember.
Midway through the second half, Dolaghan tussled with former teammate Josh Briggs inside the box before being brought down by the defender. Referee Steve Hughes didn’t hesitate and pointed to the spot.
The debutant gleefully embraced the responsibility of taking the pressured kick and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to put his new employers in front.
From that moment on, the momentum was firmly in our favour, as we controlled possession and physically overwhelmed the youthful opposition.
With five minutes remaining of the encounter, good work from Temi Babalola resulted in Dolaghan bearing down on goal once again. Confidence was evidently coursing through the veins of the forward as he effortlessly placed a finish into the corner to breach West Ham’s net for the second time of the afternoon.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the 20-year-old wasn’t satisfied yet, and claimed the match ball in the dying embers of the game. Sam Beard got to the by-line and directed a pass into the striker’s path, but Dolaghan still had plenty to do.
In a moment of pure instinct, the Englishman cleverly hooked the ball over his shoulder, a move which completely deceived the opposing defenders and goalkeeper. They could only watch on helplessly as the ball found it’s way into the net.
Improvisation of the highest degree from the striker to put the icing on what was an encouraging afternoon down Woodside Road.
Our next test of pre-season occurs next Saturday, as we welcome seventh tier side Chatham Town to BN14.
WORTHING XI: Stacey, Jordan (Packham 46′), Cook, Byron (Ransom 46′); C. De-Graft (Beard 46′), Frimpong (Odei 46′), Rea, Spong (Burgess 46′), Colbran (C); Odokonyero (Babalola 46′), Smith (Dolaghan 46′)
Scorers: Smith 17′, Dolaghan 68′, 85′, 90′, Battrum 15′
Attendance: 2,694
