Rebels record first Ryman League South success

WORTHING Football Club got their Ryman League South campaign up and running with a 2-0 triumph over Walton & Hersham at Nyewood Lane on Wednesday.
Lloyd Dawes (right) made his first start of the season for Worthing on WednesdayLloyd Dawes (right) made his first start of the season for Worthing on Wednesday
Lloyd Dawes (right) made his first start of the season for Worthing on Wednesday

The game, which was effectively a home clash for Rebels, had to be played at Bognor’s ground as Woodside Road’s 3G surface is still awaiting a test certificate.

Worthing fell to a 2-0 defeat at Corinthian Casuals in their curtain raiser on Saturday but turned in a good display to gain the their first points at the second time of asking.

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Rebels success was also joint-bosses Jon Meeney and Gary Elphick’s maiden competitive victory since taking charge and the latter was pleased to get on the board.

Elphick said: “It’s a real weight off my shoulders now to get that first win.

“A 2-0 victory, a clean sheet and a clinical performance in the first-half were all really pleasing.

“We showed some excellent attacking movement early on and that is something we can definitely keep improving.

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“But in the second we showed a different side to our game and were very solid.

“If we can continue to play like this then we should have a good season.”

The game got off to a frenetic start with an action-packed first 15 minutes.

First, Rebels went ahead inside a minute.

Ben Pope worked well down the right before crossing for Omar Bugiel whose touch and shot found the top corner just 25 seconds in.

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Worthing were then awarded a penalty nine minutes later as Lloyd Dawes was tripped by Shannon Wallace.

Brannon O’Neill crashed his spot-kick straight down the middle to double Rebels lead.

Walton were handed an ideal chance to get back in the game a on 12 minutes.

Aaron Watson cut inside before being brought down by Will Hendon and the referee pointed to the spot.

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Rikki Banks dived to his left and stopped Andrew Mensah’s penalty as it remained 2-0.

Revels could have gone further ahead ten minutes before the break.

Bugiel stood up a ball which found Dawes but he shot wide with a scissor kick effort.

Worthing continued to press in the second and Dawes once again came close.

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Bugiel slotted him in and the wide man beat three Walton defenders before seeing his shot blocked by Domwic Ogun.

Pope crashed a 25-yard strike straight at the Walton keeper late on as it ended 2-0 to Worthing.

Revels host Faversham Town in the league on Saturday.

WORTHING: Banks; Hendon, Heath, Elphick, Metcalf; Dawes, Axell, O’Neill, Pope; Kimber; Bugiel. Subs: Morey (Dawes), Johnson (Bugiel), Hurley (Elphick), Piper, Fagan.

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