It was another positive display from the hosts, as several players continued to build up their match sharpness ahead of the 2025/26 season. Seven changes were made from the comprehensive 4-1 victory over a West Ham XI with Brad Dolaghan recording his first start of his second spell following his hat-trick heroics last weekend.
Chris Agutter’s side were in control of the encounter from the first whistle and the first chance of the afternoon fell to Dolaghan. The academy graduate’s header may have sailed over the crossbar, but it was an encouraging indication of the intent from the Reds.
Bailey Smith was causing plenty of problems for Chatham skipper Reece Butler and his frightening pace resulted in the veteran defender conceding a spot-kick. After a poor kick from Chatham goalkeeper Henry Molyneux, Glen Rea fed Jack Spong who played through Smith with an incisive pass. As the 20-year-old broke into the box, Butler unfairly hauled the forward to floor and referee James Kerten pointed straight to the spot.
Spong stepped up to take the penalty and calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from 12 yards to break the deadlock in West Sussex.
The visitors thought they had equalised within a matter of minutes as Kian Garlinge converted on the rebound from Seb Stacey’s smart stop. However, the linesman’s flag was raised almost immediately to chalk off the leveller for an offside offence.
Worthing had a few opportunities to double their advantage before the break, with Glen Rea’s mistimed header the most presentable.
After the interval, the Rebels emerged with a renewed sense of impetus. Their efforts resulted in them breaching Chatham’s net for the second occasion, albeit through a fortuitous sequence of events. A long clearance from Harry Ransom looked to be comfortably dealt with by the opposition defence, but a crucial miscommunication scuppered the prospect of safety.
Substitute Alex Giles and goalkeeper Molyneux ended up getting in each other’s way, which allowed the lively Smith to capitalise on the error. Following the mix-up, the Chatham stopper was caught outside his box and could only watch on in despair as Smith rolled into the empty net with ease.
With a two-goal cushion, the Reds were firmly in charge of the contest and were desperately trying to increase their lead.
After getting himself on the scoresheet for successive weeks, Smith teed up strike partner Dolaghan, but a timely intervention thwarted his eventual close-range effort.
Midway through the second period, Rea evaded his marker once again from a corner, but couldn’t direct the attempt on target.
Nathan Odokonyero, one of seven changes at the interval, came the closest to grabbing a third as a strike from the edge of the box clipped the upright. The former Ebbsfleet striker linked up to great effect with Razzaq Coleman De-Graft, as numerous exchanged passes created the space for the strike.
Shortly after, Temi Babalola got to the by-line and found Odokonyero, but this time a last-ditch block on the line prevented the striker from opening his account for the Rebels.
Worthing saw out the closing stages with ease to secure our second victory of pre-season. MK Dons loanee Stacey earned his first clean sheet as a Rebel, another positive from a productive afternoon.
A trip to Havant & Waterlooville awaits us during midweek, as we test ourselves with another friendly on the road.
WORTHING: Stacey, Beard (C)(Colbran 62′), Packham, Ransom, Byron (Cook 62′), Wheeler (Coleman De-Graft 62′); Burgess (Odei 62′), Rea (O’Brien 75′), Spong (Frimpong 62′); Dolaghan (Babalola 62′), Smith (Odokonyero 62′)
Scorers: Spong 10′, Smith 51′
