A hat-trick from the in-form Temi Babalola helped Chris Agutter’s side to a comprehensive victory over the eighth tier outfit under the lights at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.

The Worthing manager made a solitary change from the 2-2 draw on the Channel Island on the weekend. Odei came in for Toby Byron, while there was a space on the bench for new signing Teddy Jenks, who was announced a few hours prior to kick-off.

Unsurprisingly, the Rebels had the lion share of possession in front of the home crowd. A midfield trio of Odei, Matt Burgess and Sam Packham were constantly recycling the ball to try and create gaps, with the latter being particularly effective.

After 35 minutes of being frustrated by the Jersey resistance, the Rebels found a way past Euan Van Der Vliet through a familiar source.

Razzaq Coleman De-Graft fashioned the ball onto his stronger left foot and curled in a dangerous cross towards the back post. Babalola, who netted the equaliser on Saturday, shrugged off James Queree before stooping low to head his side in front.

Minutes later, Odei was desperately unlucky not to record his first goal of the season, as he clipped the crossbar with a ferocious effort. Picking up possession on the edge of the box, the Basque midfielder sent a strike with plenty of dip and movement towards the top corner only for his strike to rise just above the frame of the goal.

During a dominant spell, Worthing had three strong appeals for a penalty waved away by referee Tom Ellison. Burgess was seemingly tripped on two occasions, while Babalola also went down in the box.

The Rebels wasted no time in resuming their control on proceedings after the interval and reaped the rewards just 10 minutes into the second period.

Following a typically enticing Packham corner, the ball fell to Joe Cook.The defender swivelled inside the area and drilled a pass across the box which was begging for a touch.

Fortunately for the hosts, the skillful Coleman De-Graft was on hand to finish the move with a cute flick that deceived the goalkeeper. By now, Jersey must’ve been sick of the sight of Coleman De-Graft and Babalola, but their night was only going to get worse.

Floodgates were forcefully ripped apart by the Reds, who were in the ascendancy. Three minutes after the second, Babalola grabbed an emphatic third.

Skipper Joel Colbran fed the 6’4 frontman, who turned adroitly before blasting a strike into the roof of the net. The Jersey stopper barely had a chance to react as his net was rippled and Babalola wheeled away to celebrate.

Just past the hour mark, Chris Agutter handed Jenks his debut off the bench. It was an assured display from the 23-year-old, who will add plenty of technical elegance to an already talented midfield.

However, the night belonged to only one man as Babalola clinched the match ball in minute 72. A devastating give-and-go between the forward and substitute Jack Spong resulted in the latter picking out Babalola, who calmly slotted in his third of the evening.

Chris Agutter’s side were eventually awarded a spot-kick shortly after as Spong was scythed down by Will Yates. Our regular penalty taker stepped up, but couldn’t record his name on the scoresheet on his return to action as Van Der Vliet guessed the right way and pushed the attempt out for a corner.

As the clock wound down, Brad Dolaghan capped off a comprehensive team display just as the fourth official raised his board to indicate the additional time. The Worthing academy graduate improvised smartly to ensure his header was on target, with the accuracy of the shot proving decisive as the Jersey number one could only parry into the side-netting.

Five goals, a clean sheet and several impressive individual performances. Wimbourne Town awaits the Rebels in the next round, but a National League South clash with Tonbridge Angels precedes that tie this weekend at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.