Worthing beat United to retain Malcolm Gamlen Trophy

The trophy is in memory of Malcolm, who was a long-time secretary of Worthing United. Rebels were 3-1 victors last year and they retained the trophy with a comprehensive win as they led 5-1 at half-time, before netting six more goals in the second half.

Rebels’ summer signing Reis Stanislaus had a couple of chances before Worthing went ahead on 16 minutes. Zack Newton got in behind United’s defence and squared for Harvey Sparks to tap home.

Stanislaus made it 2-0 on 24 minutes with a sublime lob from Sam Rents’ cross for his first Worthing goal.

Sparks got his second with a lovely strike into the far corner from Rents’ ball over the United defence on 28 minutes, before Rebels got a fourth five minutes later through Will Hendon.

Rebels moved 5-0 ahead on 38 minutes when Sparks coolly completed his hat-trick.

United got a goal back two minutes later when Pat Rose brilliantly found the bottom corner past Rikki Banks.

After numerous changes for both sides, Worthing got a sixth on 56 minutes when Steve Metcalf bundled home Brannon O’Neill’s cross at the back post.

Youth team player Luke Brodie, aged 16, got on the scoresheet for the seventh three minutes later, before Ross Edwards made it 8-1 soon afterwards.

United had chances of their own in the second half, before Worthing scored three more times in the last six minutes through O’Neill, Rents and Brodie, who notched his second.

Rebels joint manager Jon Meeney said: “Every game of pre-season is a good work-out because you’re always setting certain focuses, certain challenges and learning something new.

“That’s what we had tonight, I was on to the boys because it was important we approached the game with the right attitude and mentality. I set certain in-house focuses and, in general, I was happy.

“It was great to see two goals for Luke and to see Ross get on the scoresheet as well. It will do their confidence the world of good and it’s again just showing what we’re about.

“We will bring young players on and will give them an opportunity, no matter what.”

Meeney was also pleased to Stanislaus score his first goal for the club and said: “It was Reis’s first goal and it was something that his performances in pre-season have warranted.

“Any forward is disappointed when they don’t score, however there’s more than just scoring goals but this will do his confidence the world of good and what a fantastic goal it was as well. The timing of his run, the vision to see the goalkeeper off his line and then the contact to lift it over the on-rushing goalkeeper, so full credit to Reis.

“He’s settled in really well and all of the lads who have come in - Rentsy, Kane (Wills) and Reis - are fantastic characters. It’s a manager’s blessing to have those types of characters in there and they will definitely aid the group.”

United boss Nigel Geary said: “There wasn’t anything between the teams for the first 20 minutes but they’re quality.

“They’ve got so much pace up front and their timing of the run and passing of the ball is brilliant. It was like they had an extra man all over the pitch but if we’re playing a team two or three levels below us, we look the same as well.

“I don’t think we chucked it in at any stage, they’re a very good side and took their chances.”

Mavericks now meet Mile Oak at Culver Road in Lancing (3.30pm) on Saturday for a cup in memory of Jacob Schilt and Matt Grimstone.

Geary said: “It’s a must-win game for me, I want to win that cup and start to put results like this to bed. I don’t think the performance was that bad but people see 11-1 and that’s all they look at.”

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