Has there ever been a more bonkers season at the top of National League South? Six clubs have, at times, only been separated by goal difference, and for weeks not one of them has divorced themselves by a margin greater than three points. On Saturday, we welcome one of the protagonists, Worthing, who presently sit in fourth spot, but have played less games than any of the others.

Since Worthing finally escaped from the pandemic Isthmian Premier Division promotion race bottleneck in 2022, they have been one of the teams to beat in this league. In their first season in National League South they came fourth, reaching the play-off semi-final after beating Braintree Town before losing to Oxford City. Last season they bettered that by coming third, avoiding the play-off eliminator. They beat Maidstone United in the semi-final, but lost 4-3 to Braintree in the final.

In February of last season, manager Adam Hinshelwood departed for York City, who are now challenging for promotion to the Football League. Some of the squad over the next few months followed Hinshelwood to North Yorkshire, including 40+ goal a season striker Ollie Pearce. Aarran Racine looked after things for the rest of the season before, in the summer, Worthing appointed ex-Hastings United manager Chris Agutter.

The most familiar name to Tonbridge Angels supporters will be that of Nick Wheeler. For two seasons, 2015-2017, Wheeler made in excess of a century of appearances providing his magic and contributing a huge proportion of assists for Nathan Elder's goals and he is still doing it at the age of 34.

Forward Danny Cashman joined from Championship club, Coventry City and has 14 league and cup goals this season. He spent his formative years in the Brighton & Hove Albion Academy before spells in the EFL at Rochdale and Walsall.

Ruben Carvalho is a striker on loan from Maidenhead United. He attracted the eye of the National League side after a strong season with Wingate & Finchley, where he had 24 goal involvements in 30 games. Mo Faal, who has 15 goals in league and cup, including six in the last six games, joined soon after the start of the season from Crawley Town, whom he had joined in the summer from Havant & Waterlooville.  

This week they have added another striker to their ranks with Liam Nash joining the club from Tuesday’s opponents Hornchurch.

Tom Parkinson looked forward to the game following the draw at Hornchurch: “It’s a great game for us. Worthing are obviously going for it this year, but our home record is really good. Hopefully there will be a big crowd and we can put on a performance and get the three points at home which we have done quite a bit this year.”

Bailey Akehurst should be back in contention after missing out in midweek, but Ryan Hanson will need to be assessed at training on Thursday following a head injury at Hornchurch. Meanwhile, Garrett Kelly has left the club.

This season’s reverse fixture in October saw our customary defeat at Woodside Road with goals from Nazir Bakrin and Trevan Robinson not enough to cancel out the inevitable Wheeler winner. The game also saw our annual run-in with the referee at Worthing, this time Lewis Sandoe dishing out six yellow cards. Our games, home and away, against Worthing have rarely gone in our favour, but in 2022/23, we did manage to end our six year winless run, coming from behind to win 2-1 with one of the goals of the season, a long distance volley from Tariq Hinds and a winner from Joe Turner after Kane Wills had given Worthing a first-half lead. However the Sussex side have won our last three meetings.

Admission prices to the game are: Adults £17; Concessions £14; Youths £7 and Under-12’s free with accompanying adult with tickets available HERE

Gates open at 1 pm with the Sports Bar and Marquee Bar open from the outset with special offers of Staropramen, the favourite Czech Pilsner, reduced to £4.50 a pint and Carling reduced to £4 a pint. The Tea Hut serving burgers, hot dogs, butties, hot and cold drinks and Fries Like An Angel, serving all your favourite loaded chips are also open from 1 pm. The Pie Shack opens from 1.30 pm. After the game, the Sports Bar will be open, where for a Happy Hour, there will be £1 off all pints of draught lagers and ciders with the special offer drinks price continuing.

Our award-winning programme is available from the Programme Hut, priced at £3 and will feature reflections from Jay Saunders, club captain Scott Wagstaff, board member Phil Broad with reports from our men’s and women’s first team games plus youth teams.

Saturday’s sponsors are our friends from A B Canham and we hope that Michael Canham and his guests enjoy their day. 

Enjoy the game!