Monday night's FA Cup action comes from the South Coast, with Worthing host Forest Green at Woodside Road. Read our betting tips and predictions below.
The Rebels have finished in the National League South playoff places for the last three seasons in a row but are yet to cross the final hurdle. Last season, Chris Agutter’s side sat top of the table heading into the Bank Holiday weekend, but just two points from matches against Eastbourne Borough and Dorking left them struggling to see the job through.
It marked a third consecutive unsuccessful playoff campaign, ending with a quarter-final home defeat to Maidstone. That playoff hangover appeared to carry into the new season, with Worthing currently sitting mid-table after a disappointing start. Despite this, Sutton United paid a substantial compensation fee to lure Agutter to Gander Green Lane, leaving the Rebels managerless once again.
However, owner George Dowell has underlined his ambition by reappointing Adam Hinshelwood on a three-year deal. A hugely popular figure at Woodside Road after several successful years in charge, Hinshelwood’s return is seen as a major coup- especially given he was previously linked with an EFL move.
He will now look to reintroduce the exciting, attacking style that has long defined Worthing’s identity.
It’s a very different Worthing side to the one Hinshelwood left in 2024, but captain Joel Colbran remains. A marauding, goalscoring right-back, Colbran now wears the armband and has made over 300 appearances for the club.
After failing to secure instant promotion back to the EFL, Steve Cotterill was dismissed as Forest Green manager. The Rovers hierarchy made the bold decision to hire Robbie Savage as the replacement, despite his only previous managerial experience coming at Step Three with Macclesfield.
The Welshman stormed to the Northern Premier League Premier Division title with the Silkmen, before making the step up to the National League. It looks to be an inspired decision so far, with The Greens sat second in the league, just one point off table toppers Rochdale.
Savage looks to have united the fan base, playing exciting, attacking football, looking real contenders for an EFL place.
Box-to-box midfielder Kyle McAllister is now in his fourth season with the club, looking to replicate his best goal scoring season yet - ten goals last campaign. The Scot has already scored 3 in 13, so looks on track for similar numbers.
While Worthing have had a poor start to the season for their standards, Woodside Road will be backed out due to the return of fan favourite Adam Hinshelwood. Couple this with the long journey midweek, Forest Green may struggle under the lights on the South Coast.
Prediction:
Worthing +1 Asian Handicap @1.975
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