Midweek football under the lights was back at Woodside Road. Salisbury was the opponent as Chris Agutter and his players looked to build on their 3-3 draw with Maidstone United on the weekend.

The opening quarter of an hour was bereft of quality from either side, with the treacherous weather conditions affecting proceedings. Within the first 60 seconds, Sam Packham floated a delightful free-kick towards Joel Colbran, although the captain couldn’t connect sweetly to give his side an early advantage.

Salisbury grew into the contest and tried their luck from range on two occasions, testing Seb Stacey’s reactions.

Firstly, Noah Coppin tried to catch the Worthing goalkeeper out with a wicked first-time effort from 30 yards out, but Stacey scampered across his goal-line to parry the strike. Then minutes later, Josh Keeya unleashed a dipping shot that forced the teenager into a fingertip stop to prevent the ball from going in off the underside of the crossbar.

Midway through the first period, the Rebels almost broke the deadlock through Joe Cook. Packham was the architect again, as he whipped in another dangerous cross onto the head of the advanced Cook, who couldn’t direct his header goalward.

Matt Burgess was the only change to the side from the weekend as he replaced Odei and the former Brighton and Bournemouth midfielder was putting his stamp on proceedings with his unwavering pressure and technical elegance. He came close to opening his account as he turned a Salisbury defender which created the space to shoot, but the subsequent effort was straight into the palms of Will Buse.

Worthing were forced into a change in the 37th minute, as Jack Spong exited the field. Spong’s departure resulted in the set-piece duties falling to Packham.

With only minutes to spare before the interval, Packham’s corner caused all sorts of issues for the Salisbury backline and resulted in Buse’s goal being breached.

Cook looked an attacking threat from the first whistle and was left unmarked in the box. The defender rose highest and planted a header into the net with vigour to put the Reds in front. Salisbury will be sick of the sight of the Cook, who also netted against the Whites in our 3-2 home victory last campaign.

The hosts didn’t rest on their laurels and pushed for a second. Positive play from Sam Beard saw the full-back get to the by-line before firing the ball across the six-yard box, a pass which was begging to be attacked.

In typical fashion, Joel Colbran was charging into the area to create an option and managed to latch onto the end of the cross and side-foot it past Buse. Two goals in just over five minutes for the Rebels resulted in a comfortable cushion heading into the interval.

After the break, Worthing resumed control of the contest and retained possession smartly, as they looked to put the game to bed.

Temi Babalola and Bailey Smith were introduced to freshen up the front-line after Nicky Wheeler and Nathan Odokonyero had exerted tons of energy.

Both strikers had chances to notch a third as Babalola nodded over from Razzaq Coleman De-Graft’s cross and Smith used his pace to break clear of the opposition defenders and call Buse into action.

As the clock ticked on, the visitors searched for a way back into the game. The Whites committed plenty of players forward in the closing stages, but never really troubled Stacey’s goal despite their pressure. The MK Dons loanee held firm to record his second clean sheet since signing in the summer, with defenders Harry Ransom and Cook also providing an impregnable wall.

So, a first three points at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium and another strong defensive display. The perfect preparation for the weekend’s tussle away to Dagenham & Redbridge, who will be looking to respond after a poor run of results.