90 minutes stand between Adam Hinshelwood’s facet and a maiden elevation into the National League, the fifth tier of English soccer.
There are a number of permutations to think about previous to tomorrow’s lunchtime kick-off, however a win by any scoreline would put the Rebels’ future past doubt. Hornchurch are the one different facet within the operating for the league title, however they’ve to assert victory over play-off contenders Maidenhead United within the capital to have any probability of surpassing the Mackerel Men.
Ebbsfleet shall be seeking to upset the occasion in West Sussex, with their destiny but to be determined and many for them nonetheless to battle for. The sheer competitiveness of the league could be highlighted by the shut proximity of the groups inside the highest 9 of the National League South. Only 4 factors separate third to ninth place, with the Fleet presumably end as excessive as second place and as a low ninth.
A response is required from the Reds following final weekend’s slender away defeat to Maidstone Untied, which halted an eight-game unbeaten run.
Individual accolades are additionally nonetheless up for grabs, with Brad Dolaghan main the race for the NLS Golden Boot. The academy graduate has scored 23 objectives this season, two greater than Hornchurch’s Angelo Balanta.
Woodside Road is poised for a big crowd eagerly awaiting an entertaining spectacle, which shall be broadcasted reside on DAZN with a 12:30pm kick-off.
Team News
Adam Hinshelwood’s midfield choices are depleted forward of the weekend’s motion by a mix of ill-discipline and damage. Jack Spong is just not obtainable for choice after our quantity 10 was despatched off within the dying embers of final weekend’s slender away defeat to Maidstone United for committing two bookable offences.
Sam Packham’s situation is being carefully monitored, because the Reds’ prime assister has missed the final two matches with an ankle subject. Earlier on within the week, it was confirmed that Matt Burgess faces quite a lot of week on the sidelines after rupturing two ligaments in his ankle throughout coaching firstly of the month.
The Opposition
Ebbsfleet United enter this afternoon’s match understanding that their future is in their very own palms – with three factors confirming their spot throughout the prime seven and sealing a spot within the play-offs.
Four victories out of their final 5 matches has seen them emerge by the pack of groups competing to clinch the chance to battle for promotion, as they’ve flexed their muscle groups over the likes of Hampton & Richmond Borough and Dover Athletic in latest weeks.
The Fleet have been one of many early tempo setters this season, selecting up the utmost return of 9 factors from their opening three video games with out conceding a objective.
One triumph out their subsequent eight makes an attempt noticed the Kent-based outfit slip down the pecking order within the league standings, however from the festive interval onwards they’ve persistently picked up factors.
They share an an identical defensive file with the Rebels with 52 objectives conceded and are one of the in-form groups within the division.
The Gaffer
Josh Wright is vying to complete contained in the play-off locations this time period, to maintain his dream alive of registering a promotion on his CV in first full season in administration.
The 36-year-old is highly-regarded as one among Non-League’s most promising younger coaches and through an 18-month spell on the Kufflink Stadium the previous Fleet midfielder has overseen a rebuilding section.
After supervisor Harry Watling was relieved of his duties in December 2024 and with Ebbsfleet struggling within the relegation zone of the National League, Wright turned participant/supervisor of the facet.
Following their relegation, religion was entrusted into the midfielder in the course of the summer season to proceed his work on the membership with a clean slate, as they appeared to seal a direct return to the highest tier of Non-League soccer.
It took just a few months for Wright to seek out his ft, however the burgeoning tactician discovered his groove leading to him being awarded with the Enterprise National League South Manager of the Month award for December 2025, having overseen three successive league wins.
One to Watch
For large events resembling tomorrow, gamers with the expertise that Kwesi Appiah possesses shall be essential for an Ebbsfleet outfit looking for a pivotal victory.
Now 35, the Ghanian striker has improved because the season has progressed, with the Fleet ahead not too long ago entered a wealthy vein of goalscoring kind.
Appiah has struck eight instances in his final 11 matches, after solely scoring 4 objectives within the earlier 23 appearances.
A brace final weekend within the 4-0 victory over Hampton & Richmond Borough earned Ebbsfleet’s quantity 10 a spot within the Enterprise National League South Team of the Week.
The grasp marksman has performed for a plethora of golf equipment all through his profession together with AFC Wimbledon, Boreham Wood and Crystal Palace. He has performed in a few of the greatest video games within the international soccer calendar, with the top being his begin within the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations Final towards Ivory Coast.
Ebbsfleet are blessed with prolific gamers throughout the frontline, with fellow striker Dom Samuel recording 17 objectives this marketing campaign.
League Form Guide
Worthing FC | W24 D9 L12 GD: +45 | Pos: 1st
League Form: LWWWD
MD41: Enfield Town 1-1 Worthing FC | Scorers: Teddy Jenks
MD42: Worthing FC 2-1 Eastbourne Borough | Scorers: Razzaq Coleman De-Graft & Joe Cook
MD43: Dorking Wanderers 1-2 Worthing FC | Scorers: Razzaq Coleman De-Graft & Remiero Moulton
MD44: Worthing FC 7-2 Dagenham & Redbridge | Scorers: Jack Spong , Wiktor Makowski x2, Teddy Jenks, Callum Morton, Joe Cook & Brad Dolaghan
MD45: Maidstone United 2-1 Worthing FC | Scorer: Wiktor Makowski
Ebbsfleet United | W22 D11 L12 GD: +21 | Pos: sixth
League Form: WLWWW
MD41: Ebbsfleet United 2-1 Slough Town | Scorers: Kwesi Appiah & Josh Coley
MD42: Tonbridge Angels 1-2 Ebbsfleet United | Scorers: Ben Chapman & Kwesi Appiah
MD43: Ebbsfleet United 4-0 Dover Athletic | Scorers: Ronny Nelson, Ben Chapman, Charlie Seaman, Kwesi Appiah
MD44: Hornchurch 1-0 Ebbsfleet United
MD45: Ebbsfleet United 4-0 Hampton & Richmond Borough | Scorers: Kwesi Appiah X2, Charlie Seaman & Finlay Barnes
View from the Camp – Adam Hinshelwood & Joel Colbran
“The fans have been phenomenal all season – I know they’re are going to come along and bring the noise.”
“Training has been really good this week, all the boys are together. We are going to give it everything.”
Previous Meeting
Ebbsfleet United 1-2 Worthing FC, sixth December 2025, National League South
The Reds made it 4 away league successes on the bounce again in December with a gritty seize of three factors on the Kufflink Stadium.
Tickets
The house allocation is totally offered out for this fixture, with all of the tickets swiftly bought. Any Worthing FC supporters discovered to have purchased tickets for the away part shall be denied entry or ejected from the bottom.
HOW TO FOLLOW
If you possibly can’t be on the sport, you possibly can comply with the sport through reside updates from the membership’s official X account.
You can even hearken to reside commentary through the membership’s official commentary service.
