Worthing go top of National South as Dorking are beaten in front of record Woodside crowd

Two goals by Teddy Jenks and another from goal machine Brad Dolaghan gave Adam Hinshelwood’s team their fifth successive win and 12th in 13 league games played since Hinshelwood returned in October.

They did it in front of a club all-time record crowd – an amazing 3,735 packed into the ground to see this battle of the National South’s two form teams.

Worthing had won nine of their past 10 in the league and Dorking had won eight of their past 10, so it had all the ingredients for a classic – and did not disappoint.

Jenks put Worthing ahead in the 11th minute but the Surrey visitors made it 1-1 through Patrick Casey on 25.

Dolaghan restored the Reds’ lead eight minutes later but Dorking would not lie down and it was 2-2 when Charlie Carter levelled two minutes later.

Jenks got his second and Worthing’s third seven minutes into the second half.

There was stoppage time drama when Rebels defender Joe Cook was sent off for a foul on the edge of his own area that halted an attack. Dennon Lewis’ free kick – after a long delay – was deflected for a corner that was cleared, that in the tenth minute of added-on time. And that was the last kick, leaving the Rebels players and fans to celebrate another huge night in the club’s history.

They were not the only Sussex side celebrating a National South win – Eastbourne Borough won a second successive away with a thriller of their own, coming out 4-3 winners at Tonbridge.

Two goals from Pemi Aderoju, one from Arthur Grout, which may go down as an OG, and one from skipper Harry Cripps earned Tommy Widdrington’s side a precious three points.

Horsham had a decent night too – fighting back from 2-0 down at home to Farnborough to draw 2-2 thanks to a James Hammond double, one from the spot.

The results leave Worthing two points clear at the top with a game in hand over Hornchurch, down to second after losing to Maidstone; Horsham seventh and Eastbourne Borough up a place to 22nd.