Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Ollie Godziemski's 72nd-minute header gave Worthing a 1-0 pre-season friendly win over QPR U21s at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
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AI SummaryGodziemski header earns Worthing narrow pre-season win over QPR U21s
Worthing 1–0 Queens Park Rangers U21s — Ollie Godziemski's 72nd-minute header decided a low-key pre-season friendly at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium on Tuesday, as the National League South side made their return to Woodside Road a winning one.
How it unfolded
Worthing started brightly and created two chances inside the first 10 minutes. Trialist B was picked out by Razzaq Coleman De-Graft following a sharp interchange with Brad Dolaghan but could not steer his effort under the crossbar from 12 yards. Moments later, the same left-back teed up Teddy Jenks, who dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box.
The first half was then interrupted for around 10 minutes when QPR captain Kaleb Dyke suffered a serious arm injury. The teenager received on-field treatment before being stretchered off — a lengthy stoppage that disrupted the rhythm of the contest.
Once play resumed, QPR's only shot of the half came through Cory Adjety-Brew, who dispossessed Coleman De-Graft and fired into the side-netting. Just before the interval, Dolaghan struck the crossbar with a sweetly-hit volley from a training-ground corner routine, and goalkeeper Charlie Warren was forced to parry Ricky Aguiar's half-volley to keep the scores level at 0-0.
The second half was largely uneventful until the 72nd minute. Young defender Callum Beck bypassed his marker on the right and clipped a perfect cross onto the head of Godziemski, who directed a looping header into the far corner.
QPR pushed forward in the closing stages but could not find an equaliser, with Harrison Foulkes keeping a clean sheet on his home debut for Worthing.
The turning point
Callum Beck's introduction shifted the game. The young full-back's delivery from wide — the first time Worthing had consistently threatened from that zone — gave Godziemski the service he needed. Before Beck's cross, Worthing had fashioned half-chances but lacked a clear route through a compact QPR defence.
Key performers
Ollie Godziemski (Worthing) — Scored the winner with a well-placed looping header, his first goal of pre-season. "Playing as a wide player I want to get more goals at the back post," he said post-match (Worthing FC official site).
Callum Beck (Worthing) — Supplied the decisive assist, beating his man and delivering the cross that created the goal.
Harrison Foulkes (Worthing) — Untroubled for long spells but alert when needed, keeping his first clean sheet at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
Jack Wadham (Worthing) — Made his unofficial third debut after signing a permanent deal during the week, returning from a lengthy injury layoff. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to come back," he said (Worthing FC official site).
By the numbers — interpreted
The single-goal scoreline reflects a pre-season friendly that saw both sides make heavy substitutions. Worthing created the clearer chances — Dolaghan hitting the crossbar, Aguiar forcing a save, and Packham seeing a header rebound off the inside of the post before Godziemski's winner — but QPR's backline, organised before Dyke's injury, held firm until the 72nd minute. The 10-minute stoppage for Dyke's injury effectively halved the first half's effective playing time, and the mass changes after the break predictably broke any attacking rhythm.
What it means
This was a pre-season workout for both sides. Worthing, preparing for their maiden National League campaign, extended their unbeaten pre-season run. QPR's U21s gained valuable minutes against senior opposition. The Reds visit Enfield Town (National League South, seventh tier) on Friday 24 July for their final away pre-season fixture.
Verdict
A functional pre-season win for Worthing, settled by one moment of quality delivery from Beck and a composed finish from Godziemski. The returning Wadham and Aguiar added midfield solidity, while the injury to QPR's Dyke was a sobering note on an otherwise routine evening.
Match Events
Key match events between Worthing and Queens Park Rangers U21 — 1 goal and 0 cards recorded during the match.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 22 Jul 2026

