FOOTBALL: Super Rebels thrash Walton & Hersham

In an entertaining first half, both sides missed chances before Walton went ahead on 28 minutes. Former Rebel Chris O'Flaherty's corner was knocked back across goal by Michael Charles and Elliott Braithwaite tapped the ball home from two yards out.

Worthing levelled a minute before half-time. Jamie Brotherton played in Ross Treleaven, who produced a stunning finish past Walton keeper Delroy Preddie from 15 yards.

Rebels took the lead on 54 minutes and again it was an outstanding finish. Brotherton lobbed the ball forward to Treleaven, who headed forward to Archibald. He brilliantly flicked the ball past the last Walton defender and shot left-footed past Preddie for his first Worthing goal.

Walton pushed forward looking for an equaliser but fell further behind on 73 minutes. Ross Treleaven's free kick was headed goalwards by Ben Johnson, Preddie parried his effort but Brotherton bundled the ball over the line for his 12th goal of the season.

Walton never gave up and kept going forward, which left gaps at the back, and Rebels went 4-1 up on 78 minutes. Johnson played through Ben Williamson, who had been on the pitch just four minutes, and he rounded Preddie and tapped home from 18 yards.

Worthing added their fifth in the first minute of injury-time to seal their ninth successive home league win. Williamson crossed from the left and Wayne Clarke tapped home from six yards for his first goal for the club.

Clarke was unable to finish the game, though, as a late tackle by Walton's Adam Broomhead meant Clarke hobbled off and, having used all their substitutes, Worthing played out the final moments with 10 men.

Worthing boss Simon Colbran said: "We were great, especially in the second half.

"I said at half-time, when it was 1-1, that we were fully in the game but we just needed to up it a little bit to get the edge.

"And we did that in the second half against a side who will be pushing for promotion this year.

"We got some great goals through brilliant finishing and I was pleased Wayne got on the scoresheet. He's a quality player and, hopefully, it will give him some confidence."

On the bench for Worthing was Matt Simpson, who has re-joined the club from Horsham YMCA, and Colbran said: "He's a quality player and everyone I spoke to said he was brilliant last season.

"I'm really pleased to have him back here and some other good news is Ryan Woodford's injury isn't as bad as first thought and he should be back running in four to five weeks.

"Paul Kennett should be back next weekend, and I also hope to have one or two new signings in by then."

WORTHING: Mansfield; Denton, Axten, Woodburn, Farmer; Brotherton, Patton, Akehurst, Johnson; Archibald, Treleaven. Subs: Williamson (Brotherton 74), Clarke (Archibald 82), Koroma (Treleaven 85), Simpson, Fernandez. Att: 326.

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