United head to West Sussex tomorrow, as they take on high-flying Worthing.
Having emerged unbeaten in their opening three league matches of 2024, that record will be put under a stern test tomorrow, against a side that impressed many at Plainmoor back in August.
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 have been one of the entertainers of the division thus far, with their 29 games seeing them rack up 59 goals – more than 2 goals a game.
Unfortunately their defensive record hasn’t been quite so impressive, with their record of 42 goals conceded the worst of any teams in the top-seven, by some margin. It’s therefore unsurprising that Hinshelwood’s side have been slightly inconsistent, with their 15 wins tempered by 9 defeats. The season has undoubtedly been a success thus far though, and a positive result for Gary Johnson’s side tomorrow would certainly be a statement of intent as The Gulls head into the business end of the season.
Player To Watch
In a team full of goalscoring threats, Ollie Pearce has proven to be one of leading lights so far in 2023/24, and is currently the division’s leading scorer with 22 goals.
Previously with Bognor Regis Town and Midhurst & Easebourne FC, the former England Colleges international has scored goals wherever he has been, and has now clocked up a century of goals in a Worthing shirt, meaning Torquay’s defenders will certainly be in for a testing time tomorrow afternoon.
Played For Both
Ricky Aguiar enjoyed two productive spells at Worthing, prior to being recalled by parent Club Swindon Town earlier this month.
Having originally turned out for The Rebels between 2018 and 2021, prior to switching to 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. Twelve months ago the Aguiar came to Plainmoor for a brief period on loan before returning to the County Ground once more.