Worthing welcome FC Halifax Town to the Sussex Transport Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon for the first competitive meeting between the two clubs. Just one point separates the sides after nine National League matches, with Worthing beginning the weekend 11th on 14 points and Halifax 13th on 13.
Worthing arrive in excellent recent form, having gone four league matches unbeaten. Consecutive 2-2 draws against AFC Fylde and Barrow were followed by a 1-0 home victory over Hornchurch before Adam Hinshelwood’s side produced an impressive 3-1 win away at Hartlepool United last weekend.
Cory Adjetey-Brew opened the scoring at Victoria Park before Ricky Aguiar doubled Worthing’s advantage in the second half. Will Harris pulled one back for Hartlepool to set up a tense finish, but Jose Marquez struck in stoppage time to secure Worthing’s second successive National League victory.
Marquez will not be available to build on that goal this weekend after being recalled by parent club Forest Green Rovers. Worthing have moved quickly to strengthen their attacking options, however, completing the permanent signing of forward Dominic Johnson-Fisher from Truro City ahead of Saturday’s fixture.
Worthing’s recent results have highlighted their attacking threat. They have scored eight goals across their four-match unbeaten league run and have found the net in each of their nine National League fixtures this season. Their overall tally of 17 goals is among the stronger attacking returns in the division, although they have conceded 15 at the other end.
Halifax also travel south carrying positive momentum. The Shaymen are unbeaten in their last three National League fixtures, beginning that sequence with a convincing 3-0 home victory over Hornchurch before recording a 1-0 win away at Wealdstone. Last weekend brought a dramatic 1-1 draw against Sutton United at The Shay.
Halifax appeared to have snatched all three points against Sutton when Max Bardell’s header was diverted into his own net by Will Nightingale in the 94th minute. The visitors responded almost immediately, however, with substitute David Ogbonna scoring in the 95th minute to deny Halifax a third successive victory.
The Shaymen’s last five league matches have produced three wins, one draw and one defeat, with the only loss during that sequence coming away at Aldershot Town. Halifax have also tightened considerably at the back, conceding just two goals across their last four National League fixtures.
Saturday’s contest will make history as the first competitive meeting between Worthing and FC Halifax Town. Worthing are competing in the National League for the first time following promotion through last season’s National League South play-offs, meaning there is no previous head-to-head record between the clubs.
Worthing begin the weekend 11th with 14 points from nine matches after four wins, two draws and three defeats. They have scored 17 goals and conceded 15 for a goal difference of +2. Halifax sit 13th with 13 points after four wins, one draw and four defeats, scoring 14 and conceding 11 for a goal difference of +3.
With only one point separating the sides, Saturday brings together two teams carrying strong recent form. Worthing will be looking for a third successive victory and a fifth league match unbeaten, while Halifax head to Sussex aiming to extend their own unbeaten sequence to four games.
