Worthing 3–1 Dover Athletic
Enterprise National League South – Saturday 25 October 2025
Attendance: 2,014 | Kick-off: 3 pm | Referee: Ben McDonald | Venue: Sussex Transport Community Stadium
A disappointing afternoon for Dover Athletic in West Sussex as Worthing claimed a 3–1 victory at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium. Despite a fine first-half equaliser from Decarrey Sheriff, goals from Joe Cook, Razzaq Coleman De Graft and Brad Dolaghan earned the hosts all three points.
Jake Leberl named an unchanged starting eleven from Tuesday’s draw with Dorking, with Fuad Sesay returning to the bench.
Dover began on the front foot, George Nikaj forcing an early save from Josh Jeffries with a cross-cum-shot inside the opening minute. Worthing looked to respond quickly, but a strong recovery tackle from Roman Charles-Cook denied George Cox after a clever through-ball by Jack Spong.
Luca Cocoracchio picked up an early booking for halting a counter-attack, yet Dover more than matched the hosts’ intensity in a competitive opening spell. Luke Baptiste saw an effort blocked by Sam Packham as both sides traded half-chances.
The breakthrough arrived in the 27th minute — and in spectacular fashion. After being found in space 20 yards out, Joe Cook unleashed a curling strike into the top corner, leaving Mitch Walker rooted to the spot.
Dover responded superbly and were level just eight minutes later. A deft ball over the top released Sheriff, who took it in stride and rifled an unstoppable volley beyond Jeffries to make it 1-1. The in-form forward almost doubled his tally moments later after capitalising on a defensive slip, but the Worthing keeper saved well.
Just as the Whites looked set to go into the break level, Worthing restored their lead on the stroke of half-time. Dolaghan slipped Coleman De Graft through on goal, and the winger finished clinically into the far corner to make it 2-1.
The second half began scrappily, with both sides battling for rhythm. Worthing enjoyed a spell of sustained pressure around the hour mark, forcing a series of corners that tested Dover’s defence. Walker had to react smartly to prevent Colbran’s header from crossing the line.
Alfie Matthews, Siju Odelusi and Harry Beadle were introduced as Dover chased an equaliser, and the visitors’ pressing began to cause problems. Sheriff nearly punished a mix-up between Jeffries and Ransom in the 74th minute, but his effort was cleared off the line.
Two minutes later, Worthing struck again to put the game beyond reach. Colbran was released down the right and squared for Dolaghan to tap home from close range for 3-1.
Late changes saw Kenny Coker and George Wilkinson enter the fray, but Worthing managed the closing stages professionally and even had a fourth ruled out for offside in stoppage time.
A frustrating afternoon for the Whites, who now turn their attention to Tuesday night’s home clash with Chelmsford City at Crabble.
Teams
Worthing:
15 Josh Jeffries, 2 Joel Colbran (C), 3 Sam Beard, 5 Joe Cook, 7 Razzaq Coleman De Graft, 10 Jack Spong, 12 Harry Ransom, 14 George Cox, 16 Sam Packham, 21 Brad Dolaghan, 24 Teddy Jenks
Substitutes:
13 Taylor Seymour, 4 Kwaku Frimpong, 8 Odei Martin Sorondo, 9 Nathan Odokonyero, 11 Nicky Wheeler, 18 Toby Byron, 19 Anointed Chukwu
Dover Athletic:
1 Mitch WALKER (C), 2 Roman CHARLES-COOK, 4 Jalen JONES, 6 Luca COCORACCHIO, 7 Luke BAPTISTE, 10 George NIKAJ, 11 Decarrey SHERIFF, 15 Harrison SODJE, 18 Bivesh GURUNG, 21 Jacob MENSAH, 24 Francis MAMPOLO
Substitutes:
3 Fuad SESAY, 8 Alfie MATTHEWS, 9 Kenny COKER, 16 Harry BEADLE, 23 George WILKINSON, 27 Jordan GILLMORE, 28 Siju ODELUSI