Rebels reach Senior Cup final

Their opponents entered the game boasting a seven-game unbeaten run and were hot favourites to repeat their triumph over Rebels at the same stage last season.

By contrast Worthing had several absentees including midfielder Danny Davis, out injured for the season, and as manager Danny Bloor put it they were down to the "bare bones".

Striker Sam Francis, just back from a three month sojourn in Australia, went straight back in the side while Bloor boldly selected 17-year-old Karl Akehurst to partner skipper Jamie Lawrence in the heart of midfield.

Lewes looked full of confidence and went close twice in the first seven minutes through Paul Booth and Simon Wormull.

Rebels quickly overcame any stage fright though and were inches away from taking the lead in the 10th minute. Mark Knee floated a free kick from the right and Lawrence's flicked header came back off the foot of the post with Steve Williams beaten.

Rebels' Omari Coleman was a constant threat all night and his low shot just beat the far post following a bustling run.

Lewes were still an attacking threat and Worthing keeper Rikki Banks produced a stunning save to tip away Ian Simpemba's header at full stretch.

The game ebbed and flowed and as the half entered stoppage time Bloor would have been well satisfied with parity at the interval.

Ben Andrews had other ideas, though, as he looped his header over Williams following Lawrence's left-wing free kick to give Worthing the lead.

Joy was short lived as Lewes equalised within 30 seconds. A ball was only half cleared to the edge of the box and Craig O'Connor drilled a low shot into the corner to leave honours even at the break.

If Lewes expected their goal to knock the stuffing out of Rebels they were sorely mistaken, as Worthing began the second half brightly.

Youngster Tom Lawley injected some pace on the right in replacing an understandably tiring Francis. And with 18-year-old Stuart Axten dominant in the air at the back, Lewes were seldom seen as an attacking force.

It was not all about Worthing's young guns and it was fitting that long-serving Mark Knee got the glory with what proved to be the winner in the 63rd minute. His brilliant turn on the left of the box left his marker for dead and he lashed an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net from 12 yards. It was sweet revenge for Knee who had been sent off in the corresponding game last year.

Lewes struggled to respond as Worthing's neat possession football frustrated them. Akehurst had a shot saved following a swift break and Andrews had his header tipped over after Knee's pinpoint cross.

Even with a mysterious six minutes of added-time, Lewes were unable to pose a serious threat as Rebels gloriously sealed a final date with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Manager Bloor was understandably elated with his side. "The league table doesn't lie and it has been a very difficult season for me as a young manager but I am very proud tonight.

"The future of Worthing could not be brighter. Karl Akehurst came in and didn't give Wormull, an England semi-pro international, a kick."

If Rebels can take this form into their remaining league games then there is still hope of beating the dreaded drop.

WORTHING:Banks; J.Keehan, Axten, Lutwyche, Simpson; Francis, Lawrence, Akehurst, Knee; Coleman, Andrews. Subs. Lawley (Francis 45), Hunter, Rees, Brotherton, Ekoku. Att.359.

Match report by John Clarke