PREVIEW: Worthing vs Wealdstone

The Stones are back on the road again this weekend as Gary Waddock’s side head down to the coast to face last season’s National League South champions, Worthing.

The Basics

Date: Saturday 22nd August 2026

Venue: Sussex Transport Community Stadium, BN14 7HQ

Kick-Off Time: 12:30 pm

Competition: The Enterprise National League

Broadcast Information: The game will be available to watch live via DAZN

News from The Vale:

Gary Waddock’s side will be looking to bounce back from their 3-1 defeat in midweek to Wolves U21 in the National League Cup. Despite a competitive debut goal from our academy player Callum Lee, second-half goals from Min-Kyu Ji, Dapo Anunlopo and Isaiah Gonzales-Osbourne saw the visitors claim all three points.

The Stones will also be looking to put last Saturday’s league defeat to Harrogate Town behind them as they seek to claim their first victory of the 26/27 campaign.

On Wealdstone’s last league outing, Gary Waddock stated that “the scoreline wasn’t a fair reflection at all as at times we had good spells, but unfortunately we didn’t take our chances.”

If you're not headed for the Sussex Transport Community Stadium this Saturday, then head to The Vale instead and watch the DAZN live stream of Worthing v Wealdstone in our clubhouse! The clubhouse will be open from 11:30 am, allowing you plenty of time to get settled before kick-off.

Plus, join us next week for our 'Big Weekender' home matchday of 2026/27, with Carlisle United the visitors as we kick off the August Bank Holiday Weekend in the best possible way: Stones at home at The Vale at 7:45 pm on Friday the 28^th of August!

Click HERE to join us for this big Carlisle clash under The Vale floodlights!

The Opposition:

Saturday’s hosts will also be looking to get back on track after suffering consecutive defeats, with a narrow league loss to Forest Green Rovers last weekend followed by a defeat to West Ham United U21 in their opening National League Cup fixture.

The Rebels earned promotion to the Enterprise National League for the first time in their 140-year history after being crowned the National League South champions last season.

Adam Hinshelwood will take charge of Worthing’s first meeting against the Stones. The Rebels boss has enjoyed successful stints in charge of the South Coast side, guiding the club to the Isthmian League Premier Division title in 2022, promotion to the National League South and most recently the National League.

Hinshelwood also has previous National League experience under his belt with York City, whom he led to a second place finish in the 24/25 season.

The Stones will also bump into a familiar face in their battle against the Rebels, Dom Hutchinson. The 24-year-old departed The Vale this summer and joined Worthing after a new deal was unable to be agreed. Hutchinson made over 100 appearances for the Stones and will now line up against his former side for the first time since making his move to the South Coast.

The dangerman: Teddy Jenks

After being named Worthing’s ‘Player of the Season’ at the end of the last campaign, Teddy Jenks stands out as the man the Stones will need to keep under wraps if they are to claim their first win of the 26/27 season.

Jenks has already shown his eye for goal in the early stages of this campaign, scoring his first goal of the season against his former side Forest Green Rovers last time out.

Worthing’s dangerman boasts plenty of experience, having risen through the ranks of Brighton and Hove Albion’s academy before making his professional debut for the Seagulls in 2019 in the Carabao Cup.

After leaving Brighton, the striker joined fellow National League side Forest Green Rovers, where he spent two seasons either side of a loan spell with Scottish Premiership side Ross County.

After joining Worthing last season, the striker enjoyed his most impressive season to date, making 38 appearances for the Rebels and finding the net 15 times to help propel the Rebels to the National League for the first time.