Worthing made light work of local rivals Horsham with a dominant 3-0 victory in a pre-season friendly on 1 August 2026. Playing at home under the International Club Friendly banner, Worthing produced an attacking display full of movement, creativity and ruthless finishing, sending a clear signal to their fans ahead of the new campaign.

Worthing's attacking firepower on display

The hosts took control early and never looked back. Worthing opened the scoring with a flowing team move that carved through the Horsham defence, with the final finish dispatched calmly past the goalkeeper. The early goal set the tone, and Worthing continued to push forward, creating several clear-cut chances before the break.

Horsham worked hard to stay in the contest but were constantly on the back foot. Worthing’s midfield controlled possession and their wide players caused constant problems. The second goal arrived shortly after half-time, as a pinpoint cross was headed home at the far post. From that moment, the result looked secure.

A third goal followed late on, when a defensive lapse allowed Worthing's forward to steal in and roll the ball into an empty net. It capped a polished all-round display and gave the scoreline a fair reflection of the hosts' superiority over the 90 minutes.

A derby statement before the season starts

Local bragging rights were at stake, and Worthing claimed them in style. Matches against Horsham always carry extra spice, even in pre-season, and this result will be especially satisfying for the home supporters. More importantly, the performance showed that Worthing’s attacking players are already in sync and ready for competitive action.

For Horsham, the defeat is a reminder of the level required to compete with the division above. The coaching staff will likely use the game as a learning exercise, focusing on defensive structure and the need to be more aggressive in duels. Plenty of positives can still be drawn from the workout, particularly the effort and commitment shown by the players deep into the second half.

With a convincing 3-0 win in a derby atmosphere, Worthing have every reason to feel positive as they fine-tune their preparations. Their supporters will hope this sharpness carries straight into the league season.