Worthing Rebels: A look toward the 24/45 season
As we look towards the next football season, we caught up with Will Payne, Lettings Consultant at Jacobs Steel and avid Rebels fan, who shares the latest update about our proud partnership with Worthing FC:
After a disappointing end to the season which saw Worthing narrowly lose out on promotion to the national league to Braintree Town in an entertaining play-off final, the club immediately set their sights on a third consecutive push for promotion in the 24/25 season. Interim manager Aaran Racine did a fantastic job with the squad following on from Adam Hinshlewoods shock departure to York City in February, however the veteran defender chose to take the back seat for the new season as the club appointed Hastings United’s Chris Agutter as the new first team coach, which saw Aaran take up the job as his assistant.
Chris arrived to a depleted squad after last seasons top goal scorer Ollie Pearce decided not to renew his contact and follow Hinshlewood to York City alongside star winger Joe Felix, the club also saw another 16 players head for the exit, allowing a new era to begin at Woodside Road.
The rebuilding began with goalkeeper Chris Haigh’s arrival from Ebbsfleet United and left back Sam Beards arrival from Eastbourne Borough. The reds would then continue to strength the defensive heavily throughout the rest of the summer with the additions of Joe Cook and Ollie Back after this area of the pitch proved to be a real concern for them during the last term.
Midfielder Tyrese Owen also joined the squad in midfield, meanwhile the club crucially managed to keep hold of midfielders Danny Cashman and Jack Spong.
Pearce’s departure saw 3 new forwards join the club as the club looked to replace his 40+ goals from last season. Tommy Willard rejoined the club from Aldershot town after his loan at the club was abruptly cut short last season after a couple of games due to his parent clubs lack of depth in that position, and goal scorers Jake Hutchinson and Harrison Smith joined the ranks from Queen of the South and Stevenage respectively.
This meant confidence was high as the new season started with a tough trip to Western-Super-Mare on the opening day. A slow first half display saw the rebels 3-0 down at half time, before an incredible second half turn around including two free kicks from Jack Spong and 96th minute penalty from Danny Cashman saw the away side run out 4-3 winners.
Worthing were on the road again in their second outing of the campaign due to work taking place to build a new stand at Woodside Road and saw themselves a goal down early again at St Albans City, before a Tommy Willard equaliser and another free kick from Jack Spong put the reds ahead. Unfortunately, the hosts pulled a goal back to ensure the points were shared.
The following fixtures came thick and fast as the team faced a further 4 tough away tests. The first of which, a respectable 1-1 draw at Hemel Hempstead Town before a sobering 5-0 defeat at Truro City on bank holiday Monday. The reds form quickly picked up however, as they achieved 6 points from the remaining 6 with impressive victories away at Hampton & Richmond Borough and Boreham Wood to round off the first month of the season, leaving the rebels in 11th place after 6 games.
