The Rebels returned home and back to National League South action as they welcomed Tonbridge Angels to the Sussex Transport Community Stadium off the back of three successive wins in all competitions. The Angels were just one point and one place ahead of Worthing in the league table coming into the match.

After heavy rotation in the Sussex Transport Senior Cup in midweek, Chris Agutter brought the majority of his regulars back into the side. He was without Jack Wadham (injury) and Sam Beard (suspension) which meant that Kane Wills and Nicky Wheeler both started.

Danny Cashman got things underway by trying his luck at goal with the first kick of the game. He spotted Tonbridge keeper Toby Steward off his line but put too much on his effort as it sailed over the crossbar. A few minutes later, Steward was called into action to prevent Joel Colbran’s cross that was travelling towards the back of the net, but the keeper palmed over for a corner.

It was a cagey battle that was largely played in midfield from then on. Worthing looked like they might be turning the screw around 20 minutes in, but it was Tonbridge who took the lead against the run of play from a corner. Nazir Bakrin was first to it in the box and he headed powerfully towards goal and Chris Haigh made a fantastic save to tip it onto the post. Joel Colbran scrambled back in an attempt to clear it off the line, but it was too late as the assistant referee had his flag raised to give the goal.

Worthing were denied two penalties in quick succession with about five minutes remaining in the half. First, Jack Spong fired an effort at goal that appeared to be blocked by the arms of Ronny Nelson. Despite big appeals, referee Lewis Sandoe waved them away. Moments later, Muhammadu Faal was sent to chase onto a ball over the top and as he entered the area, was clearly having his shirt pulled, but again, Sandoe saw nothing doing.

The frustration impacted the Rebels positively and they got themselves level less than a minute later. Ollie Black launched a long throw into the area to Alfie Young who was there to nod in at the far post. It was in front of his player sponsors Rustington Otters FC who brought 80 members of their junior section to watch the action and to get a photo with their star man!

Before the conclusion of the half, Joe Cook made a vital block to prevent his side from falling behind again. Tariq Hinds cut back to Trevan Robinson from the byline and he looked destined to score, but Cook got himself in the way to keep the scores level going into the break.

Into the second half, there were chances for both sides to get themselves in front less than a minute apart. It was Worthing who threatened first as Faal got to the byline and delivered a low cross that evaded Colbran but it reached Wheeler at the far post. It opened up for him after he took a touch but he couldn’t quite get his shot off. He was then taken out, but again the penalty appeals were waved away.

At the other end, Robinson charged down on goal but Young made a fantastic tackle from behind to pinch the ball off him. The rebound then fell to Tonbridge captain Sean Shields whose shot was saved by Haigh.

Five minutes later, the Rebels got themselves in front after a scintillating counter-attack led by Wheeler. He linked up with Cashman, who was taken out by Hinds as he laid it back to Wheeler to continue the move (Hinds later saw yellow for the challenge). Wheeler then delivered a low cross which found its way to Colbran at the far post. He laid it inside for Faal to bury home.

Two became three not long after when Wheeler drilled one underneath Steward and into the back of the net. It was Colbran whose cross to Wheeler was inch-perfect and the forward took a touch before firing in from the edge of the box.

Their two-goal cushion wasn’t to last long, as Robinson beat Haigh to a ball over the top before lofting it over the keeper and into the back of the net.

Agutter turned to his bench to shore things up as Harrison Smith, Tommy Willard, Sam Packham and Jack Bates were all introduced before eight minutes of added time were signalled.

Despite Tonbridge having lots of the ball as they looked to get level, it was Worthing who had the best chance through Cashman. Bates slotted him in and it was a chance where you would back him to score nine times out of ten, but he hit it just over the crossbar on this occasion.

But, that was that and Worthing secured the points and became just the second team to inflict defeat on Tonbridge Angels in the National League South this season. It makes it four wins in succession in all competitions and back-to-back league wins as they climb to 10th place.

Next up is a long midweek trip to Plainmoor to take on Torquay United.