The Rebels were looking to return to winning ways at the Saunders Transport Community Stadium as they took on a Farnborough side who were winless in their last four outings in all competitions.

Adam Hinshelwood made four changes to the side that suffered a disappointing defeat in the FA Trophy at Frome Town on the weekend. Jesse Starkey was among those returning to the Rebels’ starting eleven.

It was a tightly contested battle in North East Hampshire with nothing to choose between the sides in the first half. There was little by way of chances for either side, but it made for an interesting first 45 minutes that flew by.

Ricky Aguiar went close with a free kick from the edge of the box some ten minutes in, but Jack Turner was equal to it, pushing it wide of the upright.

There was bad news for the Rebels on 17 minutes as Nicky Wheeler was forced off with an injury. He was replaced by Joan Luque in a like-for-like change on the left flank.

Selim Saied forced a good save from Roco Rees around 20 minutes in as the Worthing keeper parried wide before Edon Pruti went close for the hosts with a header from a corner that went just wide of the upright.

The best chance of the half came right at the end when Ollie Pearce was sent one-on-one after Rees’ long ball over the top of the Farnborough defence. He took it around the keeper to the left but his shot was blocked by Boro skipper Ollie Robinson. Pearce was up in arms appealing for a penalty for handball, but referee Robert Claussen saw nothing doing and it remained goalless into the break.

The Rebels made a lightning-quick start to the second have, breaking the deadlock just two minutes in. Aguiar slotted in Luque who took his time before effectively placing it into the top left corner, as cool as you like!

Hinshelwood’s side doubled their lead less than five minutes later when Aguiar played a defence-splitting pass with superb technique to send Pearce bearing down on goal once more. He made no mistake this time, cooly slotting it into the bottom right corner.

Worthing remained in control of the contest and made their second change with some 20 minutes remaining as Bailey Smith came on for Greg Luer, and on 77 minutes, their final change was made with Michael Klass replacing Starkey who had a classy performance himself on his return.

Smith’s pace was put to use immediately as he burst down the right flank to go one-on-one with Turner who made a strong save.

Worthing’s night was capped off with a fine move which saw Luque slide in Pearce down the left who squared to Aguiar for number three. No one more deserving than Aguiar who was a cut above the rest on the night.

Odei Martin Sorondo went close late on and his fierce effort was only denied by Pruti who found himself in the way more than anything else.

A fine performance from the Rebels who will look to use this result to kickstart their campaign after a tricky run of late. The result sends Worthing back up into the play off places in 7th, with games in hand over the teams around them.

Next up is another trip to the West Country as they head to Taunton Town on Saturday.