The Rebels were involved in their second cup competition in just a few days as they came into the fixture on the back of their Isuzu FA Trophy win away at Chichester City on the weekend.

Chris Agutter rotated his side but still named a starting eleven filled with members of the first-team squad to take on lower-level opposition. Youth team players Arthur Gregory, Freddie Chester and Cooper Renzulli were named on the bench.

The night got off to a perfect start for the Rebels as Mo Faal found the back of the net just over five minutes into the contest. Sam Packham got into a crossing position on the right flank and delayed his cross to pick out Faal at the back post and the forward passed it in at the back post to give his side the lead!

After making a great start, the Rebels took complete control on home turf and knocked the ball around with ease, creating chance after chance. In a ten-minute spell after Faal’s opener, there were chances for Temi Babalola, Faal and Sam Beard, but it took until the half-hour mark to double their advantage.

It was Tommy Willard who came up with the goods to do just that. This time, a low cross came in from the left flank from Beard after another free-flowing attack saw him played in behind. He delivered an inch-perfect ball to Willard who finished first time, sweetly into the side netting!

Two minutes later, it was three. Jack Spong picked out Babalola’s run in behind and played him through with a fantastic ball. Babalola took his time before dinking it over United keeper Mackay Mesezanes for number three!

Faal finished off a rampant first-half performance just before half time. He picked up the ball on the left edge of the box and fizzed in a curling effort into the bottom right corner and it went in off the post!

After a dominant first half display, Agutter was able to give his youngsters some valuable first team minutes at half time, as Faal and Spong made way for Gregory and Renzulli. Chester was brought on on the hour mark to replace Willard.

Babalola thought he’d netted his second goal a couple of minutes later, but the flag was raised for offside. Glen Rea’s shot from distance rebounded off the post to the forward who prodded home but he was deemed to be in an offside position.

Agutter made his final changes with 20 minutes to go as Joel Colbran and Danny Cashman replaced Ollie Starkey and Beard.

Then, Babalola did get his second with just over ten minutes left on the clock. He was sent in behind by Packham and beat his man before placing it into the bottom left corner to complete a five-star performance at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.

He was denied a hat-trick just a few minutes later after he was sent in behind off a lovely touch by Renzulli, but Mesezanes made a big stop in goal for the visitors.

And that was that! Victory for the Rebels in the Sussex Transport Senior Cup to see them through to the last eight of the competition.

They turn their attention back to the National League South this weekend as they welcome Chelmsford City to Woodside.