Rebels stepped out onto their new home ground (Durrington Rec) with a chance to put themselves top of the table with a win (if only for an hour until other results came in)
Rebels started with a shoddy looking passing style, which seemed to end with Worthing Minor players getting on the end of Rebels passes more than rebels were. Thanks to some individuals stepping up the mark, rebels reminded themselevs and minors that they were joint league leaders. Some great aggressive runs down the left from Mike Davis and Ashley Hodzi down the right saw minors retreat and realise the threat was on them.
10 minutes into the game a rapid run by Hodzi past 2 players ending with a threatening ball across goal concluded with Francisco Jorge get himself into the right place at the perfect time to tap in Rebels 1st.
10 Minutes later Rebels were up to their old tricks of inviting pressure and not closing the ball down effectively in midfield, looking uncertain of wether to stay or go in defence when getting run at by minors, and losing a lot of shape. They made their own fate when Adam Taylor got caught out of shape too far forward making a rash challenge on the half way line that wasnt needed. In turn Minors hopefully punted the free kick up towards the rebels 18 yard box, which rebels failed to deal with resulting in Ex Rebel Kyle 'twinkle toes' Mead instincvely smashing the football towards goal, burying what turned out to be a great strike past keeper George Slades left hand side.
Half Time, Coach Sam Davis picked out some improvements that Rebels needed to be aware of and sent the league leaders back out onto the field with set instructions to release the ball earlier and more accurately, deliver crosses and set pieces deeper into the box and to stop letting players from minors midfield freely run at our defence.
After some more needless talking from the incompetent referee the second half got under way. It was clear after 10 minutes of play neither team wanted to conceed which saw a lot of work going through the midfield with both teams afraid to attack. any attacks that could have developed were quashed and punted out of play by Ashley Perry and CB partner Taylor before anything more threatening developed.
Things started to get heated in the Worthing Derby with the ref stopping play on numerous occasions to 'have words' with players from both sides although mostly directed at Minors.
Rebels were winning the psychological and physical battle which showed in the clumsy late tired tackles repeatedly made by 'yellows'. Another 10 minutes and Rebels again saw some Great play down the right from Hodzi who had no problem beating 2 or 3 men to get himself into a great crossing and many shooting positions! After 3 or 4 superb attacking displays from Hodzi on both wings the minors fall backs looked exhausted. somehow they got let off as rebels burst into the box with another 2/3 attacks which they just couldnt find the end product to.
80th minute and up steps Semdin Turan to take the legless RB on his inside before unleashing a thiery Henryesque slotted shot into the far corner,crossing the line off the inside of the post. 2-1 rebels.
Franco is subbed back on for Oli who himself got into some good positions on the flank and caused trouble for the minor fall backs. with yet another attacking run into the box of his own, Franco delivers a perfect cross to skipper Sine before being clattered and ending up in a heap with the tired minor RB. With the referee 10 yards away in perfect view rebels are awarded a penalty despite sine finishing the cross with a goal. Semdin steps up to score the spot kick putting him top scorer in the league at that time.
Franco attempts to pick up where Oli left off yet again by beating a man down the left, who goes to ground in an attempted slide tackle, Franco jumps the tackle to find the space ahead of him but cant find ground to land on the other side resulting in him landing on the minor RM who screams as if his legs in 2. after a lot of shouting and encouragement from the opposing fans and lineman the ref shows Franco to an early bath with a straight Red Card!
4 minutes of E.T later the whistle is blown on a scrappy but well fought Worthing Derby.
Top of the table they remain!
Worthing Rebels 3 - 1 Worthing Minors
