REPORT: Worthing 1-0 Wealdstone

Wealdstone travelled to Worthing in Saturday’s early kick-off, looking for their first win of the 2026/27 National League campaign, but came away empty-handed after being reduced to ten men early in the second half.

Many of the regular starters returned to the team after being rested in the defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s in midweek and they were joined by Kyle Smith, Jayden Harris and Jaydn Mundle-Smith for their first league starts, as Gary Waddock looked for something different to pick up three points.

However, it was Worthing who came close to opening the scoring in the tenth minute with three chances in quick succession.

Former Stone Dominic Hutchinson wove his way into the penalty area and fired a shot off the post, Mundle-Smith then just managed to get back in time to clear a follow-up effort off the line before Baptiste recovered to save a third attempt from the hosts.

The first chance for the Stones came from a long throw nine minutes later.  Luke Norris won a flick-on, forcing Harrison Foulkes to make a save before the Rebels cleared the danger.

Wealdstone had now grown into the game after that early scare and had another chance to score soon after from an Aaron Henry free-kick.

His impressive shot dipped in front of the goalkeeper who could only palm it into the path of Connor McAvoy. Foulkes was able to recover though, and deny the Stones defender at point-blank range.

After a brief lull, the first half came back to life in the final five minutes as the Stones threatened again from another Aaron Henry set-piece. 

This time he whipped in an enticing cross just past the head of several attackers before Luke Norris arrived at the back post but could only steer the ball into the arms of the goalkeeper.

The sides looked to be heading into the break level, but the Stones switched off at the back just moments before half-time.

From a Worthing free-kick inside the centre circle, the ball was dinked over the Wealdstone defence by Joel Colbran and controlled impressively by Ramell Carter, who found himself unmarked and fired a shot past Baptiste to open the scoring.

HALF-TIME: Worthing 1-0 Wealdstone

After an even first half, the Stones would have felt confident of getting back into the game, but things went from bad to worse just five minutes after the restart. 

Dylan Kadji arrived slightly late to an aerial challenge with Jayden Moore, knocking the centre-back to the floor.  The referee adjudged this to be a second bookable offence and reduced Wealdstone to ten men.

The game then settled into a predictable pattern of comfortable Worthing possession with occasional Wealdstone breaks, as the hosts largely controlled proceedings.

Worthing almost extended their lead in the 76^th minute through Ricky Aguiar, who forced Dante Baptiste into a good save from a well-struck free-kick from 35 yards.  Luke Norris reacted sharply to clear the danger with several Rebels following in.

The hosts somehow missed the chance to score another goal in the 86^th minute. Ollie Godziemski ran onto a ball behind the Wealdstone defence only to blast his effort wide of the post with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Only Dante Baptiste and further Worthing profligacy in the closing stages prevented a wider margin of defeat.  In the 88^th minute, Adjetey-Brew ran down the left-hand side before cutting into the box and then attempting a low driven shot which Baptiste saved well.

Ricky Aguiar had a long-range effort blocked two minutes later before the ball fell to Godziemski who could only send it back across the face of goal.  It was kept alive and crossed back into the area, but Baptiste was able to save the resulting header.

The Stones return to action on Friday at The Vale as they host Carlisle United in the first match of our Big Weekender.  Buy tickets HERE.

FULL TIME: Worthing 1-0 Wealdstone

Wealdstone: Baptiste, Wells-Morrison, Conroy, Norris, Kadji, Harris, Obiero, Henry, Smith, McAvoy, Mundle-Smith

Subs: Johnson, Barrett, Olomola, Chesters, Francis-Clarke, Mullins, Waweru