PHILLIPS' FIRST GOAL IS THE PRIZE TICKET

It was a memorable first goal for the club: a 20-yard, left-footed thunderbolt into the top left corner in the second half, after some good work by Stewart Holmes and a Ronnie Green lay-off.

Then 56 minutes played, Mangots-field's hearty rebuttal of Worthing's league seniority had left some wondering if this was to be Rebels' afternoon.

A physically imposing side, the Southern League West leaders provided stubborn, tenacious opposition.

A high work-rate across the defence and a heavily-manned midfield kept Worthing's chances to a minimum but limited their own attack. A flamboyant overhead kick from eight yards by Gary Warren after eight minutes '” weak and wide '” represented The Field's only first-half effort.

Green continued his bright start at Woodside with a busy, energetic display. On 19 minutes, only a block from Mangotsfield keeper Danny Greaves denied him after he had harried himself into the box.

Sam Francis departed injured after half an hour but Scott Hendy's block foiled the excellent Liam Collins from six yards after 40 minutes.

Grice and a confused Phillips were booked after a 22-man handbag discussion. Then Rebels adopted a more attacking attitude in the second half and Phillips' goal followed efforts from Grice and Collins and a decent penalty shout from Green after Ollie Price looked to have pulled him down.

But Mangotsfield lacked the reserves of quality to get back into the game.

Their only real chance came from a mis-hit defensive pass by Clay Lamont '” his single mistake in a quietly dominating display '” which released Robbie Claridge into the box.

But Mark Ormerod reacted brilliantly to spot the danger and his block spared Lamont's blushes.

WORTHING: Ormerod; Rogers, Lamont, Holmes, Pullan, Dicker; Collins, Phillips, Grice; Green Francis. Subs: Knee (Francis, 37), Head, Hunt, Lutwyche, Geard. Att: 422.

See The Herald for a profile on striker Ronnie Green, and a match report of Worthing's Sussex Senior Cup tie win at Hastings United.