MEET THE OPPOSITION | WORTHING
Oxford City host Worthing in a huge Vanarama National League South play-off semi-final with a place in the finals up for grabs.
We take a closer look at the Hoops’ opposition ahead of Saturday’s game.
History:
Formed as Worthing Association Football Club in 1886, Worthing would become founding members of the Sussex Football League before accumulating seven league titles in the Senior Division.
Local rivals in Worthing Athletic and Worthing Rovers were absorbed by the club alongside adopting Woodside Road as their ground. The Rebels would go on to become founder members of the Sussex County League in 1920 and were constant league contenders up until WW2 winning eight league titles.
However, less successful stints in the Corinthian League and the Athenian League were to follow for Worthing. The Sussex outfit joined the Isthmian League in 1977 where Barry Lloyd led the side to the Premier Division mounting competitive title challenges in the following seasons.
However, the Rebels would yo-yo between Division Two and the Premier Division following Lloyd’s departure despite Gerry Armstrong and John Robson guiding them back to Division One and the Premier Division respectively.
Relegation to Division One followed a first season back in the Premier with Worthing staying placed until 2004 where, despite the reorganisation of the EFL system placing them back in the Premier, the Rebels were relegated once again in 2007.
The West Sussex based side would later fall short of promotion on three occasions under fan favourite Alan Pook and Sam Colbran before former Brighton man, Adam Hinshelwood was appointed in 2013 for his first stint before later leaving before a return in 2017. In 2015, Worthing found themselves in deep financial struggle with the club’s future hanging in the balance before a former youth player in George Dowell became a majority shareholder in the club.
Worthing were denied Premier Division glory in 2020 due to the season being terminated with the club atop the table. However, 2022 saw the West Sussex side promoted to the National League South.
Current Form:
Adam Hinshelwood’s men come into the fixture off the back of a huge 2-1 win over Braintree Town in a midweek play-off eliminator. In a game pitting sides amongst the top VNLS teams this season against each other for a semi-final spot, the Rebels resisted a late onslaught to secure their place on Sunday.
A strong finish to the VNLS season saw Worthing win five out of six league games in April despite a narrow defeat at Taunton Town helping them finish fourth - level on points with the Hoops with a superior goal difference in third.
Meet the gaffer: Adam Hinshelwood
Born in Oxford, Adam Hinshelwood made 100 appearances for Brighton & Hove Albion between 2002-2009. The former centre-back would also go on to make more than 40 Championship appearances for the Seagulls as well as becoming one of the club’s youngest captains in history.
Multiple ACL injuries would shorten his playing career where Hinshelwood would later feature for the likes of Lewes, Aldershot Town and Wycombe Wanderers. Hinshelwood’s first managerial role came in 2011-12 in adopting the assistant manager role with Hastings United before going on to take the manager role at Sussex County League side, Selsey.
The former Wycombe man then left his role in 2013 for the Worthing job before eventually leaving for a full-time coaching role at Brighton in 2015. However, Hinshelwood would return for a second stint in West Sussex in 2017 before eventually leading the Rebels to Isthmian Premier Division glory in the 2021-22 season.
Club Captain: Arran Racine
An experienced centre back, Aarran Racine started out his career coming through the academy ranks at Southampton, however, was released in May 2012 before signing for Forest Green Rovers that same Summer.
The former Southampton Academy player has Wembley experience to his name having led Forest Green out in the 2016 National League play off final as captain. Loan spells would follow for Racine with the likes of York City and Torquay United where a serious knee injury hindered the defender’s playing career.
However, after joining the Rebels’ coaching team in 2017, it wouldn’t be until 2018 where Racine would make his on-pitch return against Dulwich Hamlet.
Key Player: Ollie Pearce
With Hinshelwood’s men hoping to make the final with a victory at the RAW Charging Stadium, Ollie Pearce can pose a real attacking threat on Worthing’s frontline.
Pearce was the third highest scorer in the VNLS this season accumulating an impressive tally of 24 goals across 45 appearances for the Rebels this season – only St Albans City’s Shaun Jeffers and Ebbsfleet United’s Dominic Poleon netted more.
The centre forward was particularly impressive in a 7-0 thumping of Concord Rangers in April netting twice whilst bagging an assist as well in a strong performance.
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