United are back home this weekend, as the new season continues with a visit from Worthing.
Gary Johnson’s men face their first league action at Plainmoor this season, with Worthing making the trip from West Sussex to face the Gulls.
Who’s the boss?
Adam Hinshelwood is in his second spell as manager of Worthing, having first been in charge for two years between 2013-2015. Hinshelwood is a former centre back who came through the Brighton youth ranks before being given his full debut by his uncle Martin Hinshelwood. who was manager of the Seagulls at the time.
Seven years at Brighton were hampered by two ACL injuries, the first ruling him out of an England spot for the Toulon Tournament in 2005, but the defender returned to the Seagulls team in 2006 where he went on to captain the side, becoming one of the youngest captains in the clubs history. Upon his release from the Sussex club in 2009, the Oxford born manger was picked up by Aldershot, where he would also be given the captains armband. Half a season at Wycombe Wanderers in 2010 proved to be his last playing club, with Hinshelwood announcing his retirement due to knee injury.
His managerial career began at Selsey in 2011, before he made his first move to Worthing, where he left in 2015 to become a coach at his old club Brighton. A short lived spell at Hastings in 2017 was followed by his return to the Rebels where he has remained since, and in that time has led the club to the Isthmian Premier Division title in 2021, and to a Play-Off spot in the National League South last season.
How have they been doing
Worthing made their first appearance in the National League South last season, and were one of the surprise teams finishing in 4th. After beating Braintree in the eliminator game Worthing succumbed to eventual Play Off winners Oxford City 2-0. Worthing began this season with a win last week against Tonbridge Angels, where a 95th minute injury time winner from Nicky Wheeler gave them all three points in a 1-0 victory.
Player to watch
Ricky Aguiar is in his second spell at Worthing, having been there for three years between 2018 and 2021, where upon his departure he joined current club Swindon Town. The midfielder spent the majority of the 2021/22 season on loan at Chippenham Town, where in just 13 games he scored seven goals. In 2023 the 22 year old came to Plainmoor, though only managed two league and one FA Trophy game for the Club, though in those games he had 100% win record against FC Halifax, Taunton Town & Maidstone. Ricky has now returned to Worthing for his second spell with the club, though this time is on loan from Swindon where he has a contract till 2025.
Played for both
Lucas Covolan arrived at Plainmoor in 2019 from Worthing having impressed Gary Johnson while on trial here. Covolan began his career in his home country of Brazil before being brought to the UK in 2016 by Whitehawk, where he played 23 games while also having a five match loan spell at Lewes. Worthing were his next port of call in 2017, and in a two year stay at the West Sussex club he made 59 appearances, before moving to the English Riviera in 2019 upon that successful trial with the Club.
The Brazilian shared the goalkeeping duties with Shaun MacDonald in his time here, but will always be fondly remembered for scoring THAT goal in the Play-Off Final against Hartlepool in 2021, and despite him also saving two of the penalties in the shoot out, it just wasn’t to be United’s fairytale ending. The 32 year old moved to Port Vale for two years upon him ending his time here at Torquay, and last season he also spent time at Chesterfield on loan, before his release from Vale Park has led him back to the National League South where he started in England with Whitehawk, but this time he will be in the colours of Maidstone.
Torquay United V Worthing – National League South (12/08/23 3pm KO) I Tickets I TUFC Radio