Rebels torn open at Whitstable

Worthing revisited the scene of their 4-3 League Cup exit in October but they could not emulate their performance then in coming back from a deficit.

This time, Ben Johnson's shot at a Worthing corner kick, deflected for another corner, was the only Rebels highlight before Whitstable exposed another re-manned Rebels defence and capitalised on available space with three goals in succession.

The win took Whitstable above Corinthian-Casuals into fourth-bottom place.

The best Rebels managed in response this time was a penalty with 11 minutes of the game left. The outcome was only Worthing's second away defeat in six games but their eighth in 12 games overall. They have won only twice in the last 14 starts.

Worthing were without three suspended players, defender, striker, leading scorer (with 13) and captain, Ben Andrews; defender or midfielder Dean Lovegrove; and midfielder or forward Scott Kirkwood.

Without Andrews, Ollie Rowland continued at centere-half in the absence of the injured Andy Alexander. In place of Lovegrove at right-back, Joe Keehan had to relinquish his newly-established central midfield and goalscoring role.

At left-back, Rowland's previous slot, veteran Paul Rogers came in because Leo Dy was unavailable. Day, James Hancock and even Johnson, a forward, have recently played at left-back in the latest effort to plug the gap left since Sonny Cobbs returned to the Albion off loan in November, and Rowland became urgently required in the middle.

And by the end of the game, midfielder Sam Tucknott had come off the bench and played most of the second half at left-back.

Without Kirkwood, joint-managers Alan Pook and Danny Bloor brought in new signing Chris Morrow from County League second division club Wealden. He made his debut alongside Karl Akehurst, who was back from suspension, and inside Ben Johnson.

Striker Shaheen Sadough was used wide-right and Rebels went up front with their two on-loan strikers. Of these, Lloyd Skinner was playing the final match of his month's loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, while Jerahl Hughes, from Yeovil Town, was making only his second Rebels appearance.

After Ian Pulman converted right-back Danny Tipple's cross in the 14th minute, Worthing minds were suddenly concentrated. A through pass set up Dave Corey seven minutes later and that was 2-0. Then keeper Rikki Banks parried Pulman's shot but Nick Bagley was there to bury the rebound and it was 3-0 with 29 minutes gone.

Whitstable exerted further pressure from corners and Worthing emerged early from their interval team talk.

Hughes forced a double save from Whitstable keeper Kevin Fewell, then Worthing made two of only three substitutions available to them. The third, the experienced Danny Davis, remained there until Morrow came off with eight minutes to go.

One sub, Jamie Brotherton was fouled with his back to goal and Rowland converted a penalty for the second time in four games. Worthing were improved enjoying a greater balance of play through the second half but after from the penalty, the closest they got to closing the gap further was a Hughes effort, saved by Fewel.

WORTHING: Banks; Keehan, Axten, Rowland, Rogers; Sadough, Akehurst, Morrow, Johnson; Skinner, Hughes. Subs: Tucknott (Rogers 53), Brotherton (Sadough 64), Davis (Morrow 82). Att: 197.

On Tuesday, Walton & Hersham visit Worthing, whose last Woodside win was two months ago - the Andy Lutwyche only-Worthing-career-goal match, against Croydon Athletic.

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