It seemed fitting that Wanderers’ rollercoaster 2025 was bookended by a journey to Worthing, with a win certain to see our boys go second in the National League South. It presented our boys the chance to end the year on a high.
A 1-1 draw at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium was arguably a pivotal moment in Wanderers’ unsuccessful title bid last season, so our journey down south also offered the prospect of redemption.
A frenetic, end-to-end start culminated in Patrick Casey forcing goalkeeper Josh David-Jeffries into a good save when Wanderers counterattacked from a Worthing corner, which allowed Casey in behind one vs one.
It was less than five minutes later before the hosts were presented with a big chance of their own. Some nice build-up play down the Worthing left resulted in a cutback, finished neatly by Teddy Jenks for the Rebels to take the lead. 12’ 1-0
Our boys weathered wave after wave of Rebels attacks following the opener, but there were also promising signs that we could find an equaliser.
Dan Pybus recovered possession in midfield and gave Dennon Lewis the chance to get in behind the defence, and minutes later our number eight would turn provider and deliver a teasing ball which travelled across the Worthing box without a Wanderers player to meet it.
Those chances would prove a sign of things to come, as a slick Wanderers move, accompanied by a ruthless finish from Casey, soon saw our boys draw level. 25’ 1-1
We would shortly find ourselves behind again when the hosts worked their way into the box and Brad Dolaghan fired an effort past Harrison Foulkes. 33’ 2-1
Less than a minute later, though, we were gifted an equaliser when Carter tried his luck from outside the box and forced an error from David-Jeffries, as the ‘keeper spilt the shot and watched the ball trickle over his goal line. 34’ 2-2
Half Time: Worthing 2-2 Dorking Wanderers
The hosts flew out of the blocks at the start of the second half and took the lead for the third time in the game as soon as an opportunity presented itself. An unfortunate slip from Brennan Camp left Jenks one vs one. 50’ 3-2
Wanderers’ difficult start to the half would continue until the hour mark, at which point Marc introduced James McShane, Josh Hebert and Frank Vincent to the action.
As the half drew on, our boys grew in confidence and had a few fleeting opportunities, largely through Carter and Lewis offering driving runs and tempting crosses. Plenty of ‘nearly moments’, but the hosts did well to prevent us from creating sustained pressure through offering a counterattacking threat of their own.
Some late drama presented us with one final chance when late substitute Jake Lawrence burst in behind, only to be dragged down by a Worthing defender. The last-man challenge resulted in a red card and a free kick for our boys just inches outside the box. Lewis’ effort struck the wall, and the corner that followed didn’t quite fall for us.
The evening ended in defeat with over 100 minutes played at a notoriously difficult away venue, and we slip to fifth in the table as a result. A visit to Tonbridge on Saturday will offer our boys the chance at bouncing back quickly.
Full Time: Worthing 3-2 Dorking Wanderers