Five-star Rebels storm through

Rebels had needed the replay after conceding an 88th-minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw on Saturday (September 11) but they dominated throughout on Tuesday (September 14) and White said: “It was pretty comprehensive but we should have done that on Saturday – maybe not by quite as many but we should have had two or three.
By Steve Bailey
Published 20th Sep 2010, 19:15 BST

“I’m delighted with the performance. Some of our football was great and to get five goals is brilliant. I’m pleased with everybody – we defended very well and dealt with their big fellow (Chamal Fenelon) well.”

Worthing will now travel to Enfield Town, of Ryman League Division 1 North, on either September 25 or 26.

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White said: “It’s a winnable game – they’re the same level as us and we’ll be going there to win, if not we’ve got to make sure we bring them back here.”

Worthing bossed proceedings from the early stages on Tuesday and Mike Huckett blazed over and shot against the bar inside the opening nine minutes.

Former Rebels striker Fenelon fired inches wide from distance moments later but Worthing went ahead on 26 minutes. John Lansdale’s long throw was headed goalwards by Terry Dodd, Ashford keeper Paul Burgess, who was outstanding all night, kept out his effort but Huckett struck from the rebound.

Steve Metcalf and Dodd could have doubled the lead before half-time and Zamaretto League Ashford made them pay 30 seconds into the restart when Jones Awuah’s excellent finish from 16 yards brought the tie all level.

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That just inspired Rebels to take the upper hand again and Luke Gedling and Callum Saunders had shots superbly saved before Lansdale struck direct from a free kick from the left-hand side of the penalty area on 56 minutes.

Lansdale then turned provider when his excellent inswinging cross was nodded home by skipper Tony Timms on 68 minutes and Matt Geard’s stunning low 25-yard free kick made it 4-1 two minutes later to all but clinch the £3,000 prize money.

Worthing keeper Michael Hunter did well to thwart Awuah on 84 minutes and Rebels got their fifth a minute later when substitute Josh Biggs headed Lansdale’s cross home at the back post.

On Saturday, Ashford netted the equaliser with two minutes left when Lewis Wombwell struck from close range after a long throw.

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Saunders had given Worthing a 68th-minute lead from the penalty spot after a foul on Biggs. Biggs missed glorious chances at 0-0 and 1-0 and Saunders also had an opportunuity to double Rebels’ lead before Ashford’s late equaliser.

Worthing return to league action at Faversham on Saturday, then are at Eastbourne Town on Wednesday.

WORTHING on Tuesday: Hunter; Lansdale, Beda, T.Timms, Metcalf; Saunders, Huckett, Gedling, Manton; Geard, Dodd. Subs: Townsend (Huckett 32), D.White, Biggs (Manton, Geard 79), Pulling, Fernandes, Bowra, Lamont. Att: 173.

On Saturday: Hunter; Lansdale, Beda, T.Timms, Metcalf; Saunders, Huckett, Gedling, Manton; Townsend; Biggs. Subs: Pulling (Huckett 20 ill), Geard (Townsend 75), D.White (Biggs 80), Lawley, Lamont, Charles, Peake. Att: 133.