White sets Rebels 70 point target to reach play-offs

Rebels moved up two places into fourth with Saturday’s comfortable 3-0 win over Faversham and White said: “We had a bit of a blip but need to get back on a winning run now.

“If we can get to 70 points, that looks to be the mark we need to get to for the play-offs, especially after results went for us today.”

A double from striker Ryan McBride helped Rebels to victory over Faversham and moved Worthing’s top-scorer on to 22 goals for the season.

He got the opener on just four minutes after an excellent team move. Paul Kennett laid the ball into Darren Budd, who flicked the ball over the Faversham defence to Jamie Brotherton, who cut the ball back for McBride to slide home from close range.

Faversham’s Adrian Stone flicked the ball across goal when well placed from eight yards just 60 seconds later.

McBride found himself in the book, somewhat harshly, after catching Faversham’s Ashley Brown slightly late on 22 minutes, but Rebels’ marksman channelled any frustration in the perfect manner by doubling his side’s lead on 28 minutes.

Tom Lawley picked him out with a crossfield pass and McBride headed home into the far corner past Faversham keeper Rob French.

With Rebels in a 4-4-2 formation, instead of the usual 4-5-1, they looked dangerous going forward and could have increased their lead before the break. French made two fine saves to keep his side in the game from Lawley’s fizzing drive and Luke Gedling’s 20-yarder.

French also kept out Matt Hurley’s header early in the second half, before Paul Kennett’s 15-yarder bobbled over his dive on 51 minutes after Lawley’s mis-hit shot was only half cleared.

Faversham rarely looked like getting back into the game as keeper Josh Heyburn had a relatively quiet day in goal, although dealt comfortably with everything thrown his way.

Rebels almost added a fourth with 20 minutes to go but substitute Shaun Charles shot just off target after a surging run forward.

The performance of 16-year-old Bradley Lewis at right-back was also a positive for Rebels as he did not look out of place with a confident performance.

White was full of praise for his players afterwards as they ended a three-game winless run and said: “All of the lads were great. From the moment they got here, they were focused and the preparation was good. I’m really proud of all of them.”

He added, however, that he was unhappy with criticism that had come his players’ way from some social media sites and said: “I read some things online about the players during the week, which I was disappointed about.

“I try not to read that stuff but got told about some of the things that had been said.

“The lads have been brilliant all season and some of the things written were unneccessary and uncalled for. Yes, we’ve had a little blip, but they were all superb today.”

Rebels travel to Walton Casuals on Saturday.