FOOTBALL: Trio join Rebels for the run-in

Rebels are battling it out with Croydon Athletic and Folkestone to be crowned Ryman League Division 1 South champions and Colbran has signed striker David Pitt, on loan from League One Brentford, defender Ryan Adams, from Walton & Hersham, and Seb Barton, as goalkeeper cover, from Eastbourne Borough.

Colbran said: "We've got to do everything we can to get promoted. Hopefully, getting a couple of players in will give us the final push."

Pitt, aged 18, scored 27 goals in 31 games for Brentford's youth team last season and Colbran said: "He's at the stage in his career where he's trying to get a contract. He's 6ft 1in, very quick and is going to score goals."

Adams, 23, impressed Colbran in the two games he played for Walton against Rebels and he played for Grays Athletic in the Blue Square Conference Premier Division last season.

Colbran said: "He's a very good player and a few teams were looking at him. It's good news to get him."

After Rebels lost 2-1 at Sittingbourne on Saturday, Colbran looks set to have a full-strength squad to choose from for Saturday's massive game with leaders Croydon Athletic and Easter Monday's trip to Horsham YMCA.

Striker Chamal Fenelon is back available, after a back injury. He impressed in a trial at League Two club Port Vale on Monday evening and will go back there for pre-season training.

Defender Glen Woodburn and striker Ben Williamson are also back in contention and Colbran said: "If the game at Ashford was on (Wednesday, last night), and we didn't pick up any injuries, Saturday will be the first time this season I can select from a full-strength squad.

"It's a massive game. We've still got a chance to win the league, with seven games left, and Croydon have got to win their games in hand. We definitely haven't thrown in the towel yet."

Croydon moved six points clear of Worthing with their 2-0 win over Dulwich on Monday evening, and second-placed Folkestone now head Rebels by five points after their 2-0 victory over Merstham on Tuesday.

Rebels had slipped down to third on Saturday when they lost at play-off chasing Sittingbourne.

Two defensive errors cost Rebels as Tom Bradbrook took advantage to give Sittingbourne a 2-0 half-time lead.

At 0-0, Rebels' Jamie Brotherton had a header from Ben Johnson's corner hacked clear and Evan Archibald headed wide from a Luke Denton throw. Karl Akehurst, back in the Worthing starting line-up for the first time since breaking an ankle, also had a 25-yarder saved by Sittingbourne keeper Deren Ibrahim.

Sittingbourne went ahead on 31 minutes when Charlie Farmer slipped and Bradbrook went through and fired home from 15 yards.

It became 2-0 on 42 minutes. Stuart Axten passed the ball back to Rebels keeper Alan Mansfield, who missed the ball, and Bradbrook slotted home.

Axten pulled a goal back when he fired into the roof of the net on 56 minutes.

Johnson then had a shot blocked and Brotherton's free kick hit the wall, before Mansfield made two excellent stops.

Worthing substitute Wayne Clarke shot wide with two minutes left before Rebels last equalising chance fell to Johnson, who shot just wide.

Colbran said: "We gave away two soft goals and, if you're going to get promoted, you can't afford to do it."

WORTHING: Mansfield; Denton, Axten, Farmer, Groves; Brotherton, Kennett, Akehurst, Greenfield; Johnson; Archibald. Subs: Mitchell, Woodford (Greenfield, Kennett 55), Clarke (Farmer 86), Bowra, Patton.

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