REBELS FIVE-STAR SHOW

Salisbury were dismantled to the tune of a goal for each of their local rivers but contributed to a jangling game of football by sticking to their flowing and forward-moving football even after their forward Steve Strong was sent off in the 58th minute at 3-1. Worthing's inbuilt width, with Mark Pulling on the right, Sam Rents on the left, stretched City's 10 all over the pitch and the final whistle ended Rebels' rousing search for a sixth goal.

Strong's callous challenge was instant red but the only blemish on the entertainment. Owen Hill was stretchered off but survived with a damaged ankle.

It was a resounding return from the dog-house after losing a first-hurdle FA Cup tie at Kent League Thamesmead that Rebels boss Alan Pook declared in the programme that the club's Under-18s would have won.

It was ignited by the first appearances by two new attacking players. Proven Bognor marksman Matt Russell debuted on loan and struck an instant chord with Sam Francis while midfielder Luke Gedling, from Horsham, was returning to Woodside for a second spell.

Russell had a stand-out first half, Gedling was not overshadowed either and the onfield gaffer, Paul Rogers not only glued it all together but was one powerful header, bouncing over the bar, away from scoring a hat-trick.

Rain quickened the surface and Worthing might have had a skidding handball penalty, then owed parity to a vital Gedling tackle on the edge of their own box.

The scoring then began. Rogers' cultured first-time pass (26min) sent Gedling into the box and his effort was sliding past the far post when Francis slid in to turn the ball in.

A massed Worthing defence at a corner (29min) handed the ball back to City, a Strong header back across goal and Sean Cook equalised.

Russell's industry and awareness set up Rogers to find the top corner (34min), then Pulling made it 3-1 from a cross by Mark Knee, who made his 300th appearance (47min).

Rogers rammed home at Pulling's corner (61min), the front runners opened up the gates for sub Phil Ruggles to show his field-gun shooting boots (77min), and Rebels' three Rs '” Ruggles, Rogers, Rents '” plus Gedling, all nearly got Worthing started on a second five goals.

Boss Alan Pook said: "We played very well after working hard in training on Tuesday and Thursday.

"We had a team meeting before the game, and set out like we did last season."

WORTHING: Ormerod; Lutwyche, Pullan, Holmes; Hill, Pulling, Rogers, Gedling, Knee; Francis, Russell. Subs: Rents (Hill 58), Alexander, Ruggles (Russell, Francis 76), Grice, Guile. Att: 331.

Midweek fire damage to the Rebels Tavern may amount to 100,000. It will be redesigned but not ready until at least Christmas.