Worthing v Chelmsford City, National League South, Sussex Transport Community Stadium, Saturday 23rd November 2024, 3:00pm kick-off.
Following a two-week hiatus from league football, Chelmsford City mark their return to National League South action this weekend at the home of Sussex side Worthing.
Chris Agutter’s Rebels progressed to the next round of the FA Trophy last Saturday, while the Clarets’ journey in the competition was cut short following a defeat to Peterborough Sports. After the match, City manager Robbie Simpson said his team will need to play better next time out if they are to keep up the club’s strong recent record visiting the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
Despite defeat in the cup last week, Simpson’s men are unbeaten away from home in the National League South since August, and will hope to bounce back by maintaining that record this weekend.
Here’s all that Clarets supporters need to know ahead of the game…
Team and match stats:
- Chelmsford City are unbeaten in their last five National League South away clashes (W2, D3).
- The Rebels have picked up more away points (15) this season than they have home points (13).
- City have picked up maximum points on their previous two National League South visits to the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
Watch the highlights of last season’s memorable victory at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
Opposition:
Despite facing several high-profile departures and play-off heartache in 2024, Worthing look to be heading into the final weeks of the year in a strong position on the pitch. The Rebels’ agonising 4-3 defeat to Braintree Town in the National League South play-off final was compounded by losing key men such as Joe Felix and Ollie Pearce in the summer months, the latter of whom scored over 40 goals in 23-24.
Manager Adam Hinshelwood also departed the Sussex side at the tail end of the 23-34 campaign. The club elected to appoint Chris Agutter as manager following the conclusion of the season.
Formerly of Hastings United, Agutter has adapted well to his first National League South job in management. The 36-year-old has implemented a style of play which aligns with the Rebels’ commitment to playing a possession-based and attacking-minded brand of football. His side have won five of their last eight league games and have only lost one National League South match at home in 2024-25.
We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Chris Agutter as our new Manager.
— Worthing FC (@WorthingFC) May 11, 2024
Welcome to Woodside, @AgutterChris 🔴
Agutter has successfully helped the likes of Sam Beard, Temi Babalola and Muhammadu Faal settle in at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium this season. Faal has scored two career goals against Chelmsford City in four appearances against the Clarets. Forward Faal has netted three league goals in a Worthing shirt since his September move to Sussex.
Team news:
Chelmsford City Head of Medical Performance Arron Benstead has provided Clarets fans with the following squad fitness update:
“Ryan Blackman is recovering well from his Posterior Cruciate Ligament and has now removed his knee brace. So far, the rehabilitation has gone really well and his strength has improved by 100% compared to where he was pre-injury. We will now begin a gradual return to play programme, which will include power work in the gym and plyometrics before commencing pitch-based rehabilitation.
“Unfortunately, Arthur Penney suffered a dislocation to his right shoulder during the game against Torquay United. He’s seen a specialist and will require surgery, which we’re waiting on a date for. He will have to undertake an extensive rehabilitation program post-surgery and we will issue a further update on his progress in due course.
“Ruaridh Donaldson suffered a disc injury to his lower back during the FA Cup game against Barnet. He has been making week-on-week progress. He’s regaining the power in his leg that has been lost due to compression of his nerve, he has began plyometric exercises which have been well tolerated and we’re now in a position to begin a gradual return to running.”
Getting there:
Supporters travelling by car to Saturday’s game should know that the journey from the EMJ Community Stadium to the Sussex Transport Community Stadium takes around two hours.
The Chelmsford City Supporters Club coach is travelling to Saturday’s game, and at the time of writing, seats on the coach are still available. Details of the Supporters Club coach travelling to Sussex can be seen below.
Matchday and ticketing information:
Match tickets for away fans are available to purchase online here, via Worthing’s official ticketing website. Turnstiles at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium open at 12:30pm on Saturday.
Ticket prices are as follows:
- Adults: £17
- Concession: £13
- Under-16: £7
- Under-12: £4
- Under-6: Free entry
How to follow the game:
Radio Clarets will provide live audio commentary of proceedings at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
Clarets fans can find pre-match coverage of Saturday’s match and live updates of the proceedings by following the club’s X (formerly Twitter) page: @OfficialClarets, Instagram page: chelmsfordcityfc and Bluesky page: chelmsfordcityfc.
Post-match reactions will be found on the club’s website, official social media channels and on ClaretsTV.
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