An accomplished showing from Chris Agutter’s side yielded five goals against a struggling Dagenham side, in a game that had a bit of everything.

The first effort of the afternoon saw Joe Haigh try and catch Seb Stacey off guard with an early free-kick from an acute angle inside the opening five minutes, but the set-piece could only ripple the side-netting.

White shirts flooded forward just past the quarter of an hour mark to offer options to Joel Colbran after Sam Packham had picked the skipper out with a pinpoint cross-field switch. Colbran found the onrushing Joe Cook, who curled an effort into the palms of the well-positioned Daniel Barden.

After an evenly-contested first 15 minutes, a defensive error from the Dagenham defence allowed the Rebels to strike first. Dermi Lusala pass towards his goalkeeper didn’t have the the necessary weight to reach the Norwich City loanee and presented the lively Babalola with possession. Our number 14 kept a cool head to round the ‘keeper and roll in the opener.

However, our lead was short-lived. The hosts burst down the other end and managed to find an equaliser within five minutes of falling behind. Stacey could only parry Ashley Hemmings’ sweeping effort into the path of Dylan Stephenson, who was able to control the bouncing ball into the net.

The electric atmosphere at the Chigwell Construction Stadium was willing both teams on. Joe Haigh skipped past a few opposition defenders and cut inside, although Stacey was able to comfortably push the drilled strike out of harm’s way.

A glorious chance fell to the advanced Cook with just 10 minutes remaining of the first period.  Nicky Wheeler clipped a cross into the penalty area, which flew over Babalola’s head and was attacked by our number five. However, our most recent inclusion in the National League South Team of the Week couldn’t get over the ball and headed inches over the crossbar.

Just before the interval, Matt Burgess had a strong appeal for a penalty waved away by referee Lee Hible, despite Christian Maghoma seemingly tripping the midfielder inside the box.

Chris Agutter’s side were determined to reclaim their lead heading into the interval and breached Barden’s goal for the second time of the afternoon with just a minute remaining of regulation time. Wheeler whipped another dangerous delivery into the middle and Sam Beard’s glancing header found Colbran. Our skipper relied upon his predatory instincts to evade his mark and sneak a finish under the goalkeeper.

Last season’s Joint Manager’s Player of the Season combined to great effect once again, following their flowing winner against Salisbury during midweek.

The hosts flew out of the traps in the second period as they looked to respond.  Haigh stroked wide shortly after picking up the first booking of the match before Stacey closed down the angle and diverted Hemmings’ close-range effort onto the post. Fortunately, for the Rebels, Stephenson didn’t strike the rebound sweetly.

A slick move from Lee Bradbury’s team saw Reggie Young release Hemmings, but the 34-year dragged wide.

Just past the hour mark, the Dagenham boss introduced former England international Andy Carroll for his league debut as part of a double change for the hosts.

However, the Premier League icon couldn’t make a difference and it was the visitors who found the next goal. Sam Packham was left in acres of space inside the area and was left with all the time in the world to unleash a shot goalward. In an attempt to clear the danger, Trent Rendall inadvertently turned the ball into his own net. The white shirts wheeled away to celebrate in front of the travelling contingent.

Dagenham were then gifted a way back into the contest in bizarre fashion. Haigh’s corner was initially caught by Stacey, but under pressure the MK Dons loanee lost his balance and carried the ball over the line.

Then, in what could only be described as a simply crazy passage of play, Worthing sealed the victory with an unstoppable free-kick from the left foot of Razzaq Coleman De-Graft. However, there’s much more to unpack in the previous 60 secons before that.

The move started with Colbran’s fierce drive being dubiously blocked on the line, with the ball looking over the line from certain angles.. A free-kick was then awarded on the edge of the area after Sam Packham was tripped. While the versatile Englishman got to his feet, Haigh picked up a second booking for delaying the restart and Dagenham were reduced to 10.

Coleman De-Graft then stroked a perfect free-kick over the wall and into the back of net after bouncing off the post. An absolute stunning way to open your account.

With virtually the last action of a dominant showing, substitute Brad Dolaghan got in on the act with a classic striker’s goal. A fast break ensued after a slip in midfield and Babalola fed his strike partner. The Worthing academy graduate still had plenty to do and drilled a shot from a tight angle beyond the reach of Barden.

The perfect end to a statement triumph from the Rebels, who have now secured consecutive wins for the first time this campaign. They now have a fortnight’s rest before their next National League South clash against Tonbridge Angels, with our FA Cup journey commencing next weekend away to Jersey.