Grier's Guide to Worthing
The town: Seaside town to the west of Brighton complete with large beach, art deco pier and historic cinema. Oscar Wilde wrote The Importance of Being Earnest there in 1894.
The ground: Woodside Rd, Worthing, BN14 7HQ. Despite Worthing having to spend half a season in Bognor due to problems with its artificial surface, now fixed, it's a decent ground for our level with cover at both ends and a good-sized main stand.
Directions: It's almost due south from Kingston via a reasonably straight run down the A24 through Dorking. Parking is generally fine in the streets around the ground. Unfortunately for those coming by rail there are engineering works on that weekend - you'll have to head to Brighton and then take a 48 minute rail replacement bus.
Parking: Away supporters are advised to take advantage of the parking at Worthing High School in South Farm Road, BN14 7AR.
Turn right out of the school gates and proceed to the mini-roundabout, whereupon a right turn will take you into Bulkington Avenue. Take the next available left down here and you will be in Woodside Road, the football club will be on your right.
Parking at the High School is free of charge.
Our record there: Generally not good, with a 3-1 defeat last season being another in a string of poor results at Worthing.
Players to watch: Oliver Pearce signed at the start of last season after a long spell with local rivals Bognor Regis Town. He bagged 15 goals last term and has already found the net four times this time round. New signings this season include striker Lloyd Dawes and ex-Colchester defender Joe Tennent.
Recent form: Ninth in the league at time of writing but most eye-catching was an extraordinary 5-5 draw at home to Leatherhead. Coming off the back of a 3-3 draw and 3-2 replay win against Hastings in the FA Cup, it's perhaps a sign that Hayden Bird won't need to worry about them playing for a goalless draw. (ed: Worthing have subsequently drawn away to St Albans City in the FA Cup but were beaten in Tuesday's replay.)
Crowd: One of the best supported teams in the league and capable of making a bit of noise - last season we visited on Non-league Day where a bumper crowd of 1,320 was the biggest Ks had played in front of for some years. Around 700 is more normal for them, though the bank holiday derby against Bognor topped the 1,600 mark.
Drinking: The Brooksteed Alehouse is a fine craft beer venue just round the corner from the ground. Anchored in Worthing, near the seafront, is a quirky micropub (and it really is micro) that's well worth a visit while The Charles Dickens is a good choice for watching live football. The Green Man Ale & Cider House by West Worthing station also looks like a good bet.
Food: It's the seaside so fish and chips is the order of the day. Old Nick's round the corner from the ground doesn't disappoint and of course there are other options near the beach.
