Chris Agutter returns to his former club Worthing on Saturday as Sutton United visit the Sussex Transport Community Stadium, where Adam Hinshelwood’s fifth-placed Rebels are unbeaten in 10 National League matches. Agutter left Worthing for Sutton in October 2025, and the two managers now meet with seven points separating their sides in the table.
Agutter guided Worthing to 88 points during the 2024/25 National League South campaign before departing for Sutton the following season. Hinshelwood returned to the club after his departure and subsequently led the Rebels to promotion into the National League. The Sutton manager has praised the work of his successor, describing Hinshelwood as one of the strongest managers in the division and expressing his enthusiasm for returning to familiar surroundings.
Worthing extended their unbeaten league run with a 3-3 home draw against Southend United on Tuesday. The visitors led 2-0 through Oli Coker and Promise Omochere, but Dominic Johnson-Fisher scored a remarkable solo goal after carrying the ball more than 50 yards before creating Cory Adjetey-Brew’s equaliser. Southend regained the lead through debutant Tyreece Simpson, only for substitute Jordan Young to secure a point with a 76th-minute strike that slipped through goalkeeper Joe Duncan’s hands.
Johnson-Fisher has been central to Worthing’s recent attacking performances, having also created Adjetey-Brew’s winner at Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday. The Queens Park Rangers loanee has scored four goals in his last three league matches, including twice in Worthing’s 5-0 home victory over Solihull Moors. Hinshelwood’s side have won three and drawn two of their last five league games.
Sutton ended their six-match league winless run with a 2-0 home victory over Aldershot Town on Wednesday. Charlie Carter scored after just 40 seconds, capitalising on hesitant defending, before Emmanuel Osadebe released David Ogbonna to double the lead in the 11th minute. Aldershot had an equaliser ruled out for offside and Basil Tuma headed against the crossbar, while goalkeeper Spike Brits made important saves to preserve Sutton’s clean sheet.
The result gave Sutton their first league victory since beating Eastleigh on 15 September, following three draws and three defeats. Agutter’s side have nevertheless won three of their last four fixtures across all competitions, including victories in the FA Cup and National League Cup. The manager believes the midweek performance against Aldershot demonstrated his side’s ability to compete with the division’s stronger teams.
Sutton captain Jake Taylor is available again after serving a one-match suspension against Aldershot, while defender Alex Kirk returned from a calf injury to complete the full 90 minutes on Wednesday. Jordan Moore-Taylor and Will Nightingale remain sidelined with injuries, alongside long-term absentees Toby Byron and Ronny Ruiz. Agutter has indicated that the players involved against Aldershot should largely remain available despite a few minor knocks.
The fixture also brings several former Sutton connections back into focus. Worthing’s promotion-winning squad included Jon Meeney, Harry Ransom and Ashley Nadesan, while Jack Wadham returned to the Sussex club after a spell with Sutton. The clubs previously met in the Isthmian League and have not faced each other competitively for almost a decade.
Worthing enter Saturday fifth in the National League with 28 points from 15 games, while Sutton sit 12th on 21 points. The Rebels are looking to extend their unbeaten league sequence to 11 matches, with Agutter seeking to build on Sutton’s midweek victory in his first return to Worthing as opposition manager.
