Rebels started with four triallists, and one of those, Ross Treleaven, who was at Crowborough last season, hit all three Worthing goals.

The other three, central defender Andy Ballard, right-winger George Lopez and left-back Carl Southwell also impressed. Goalkeeper Luis Carlos, who came on as a substitute in the second half, was Rebels' fifth triallist.

Treleaven headed Rebels ahead on eight minutes, before he restored their lead on 57 minutes and made it 3-1 on 68 minutes.

Frantic opening

The game had started at a frantic pace and Rebels barely got out of their own half before Treleaven headed home Ballard's long throw on eight minutes.

Conference South Bognor, who play two divisions higher than Ryman League Rebels, should have been level within 90 seconds but unmarked Dan Beck headed Josh Dutton-Black's cross over from six yards.

The impressive Treleaven then had three half-chances to increase Worthing's lead before Bognor drew level on 25 minutes.

Gavin McCallum beat the offside trap and his left-foot shot was parried by Worthing keeper Alan Mansfield. But the ball unluckily hit Rebels skipper Ben Andrews and Danny Smith was first to react to bundle home the equaliser.

Worthing brought on Lloyd Skinner and Jamie Brotherton for Lopez and Mickey Demetriou at half-time, but Rebels should have been behind two minutes after the restart.

Bognor miss penalty

Dutton-Black tried to flick the ball to a team mate but it hit Paul Kennett's arm and referee Dan Austin pointed to the penalty spot. Bognor captain Duncan Jupp stepped up but crashed the spot-kick against the bar and Rebels cleared the ball to safety.

Worthing made Bognor pay when they restored their lead on 57 minutes, and it was the two substitutes who made the goal. Brotherton fed Skinner down the right and his cross was turned home by Treleaven from eight yards.

Bognor almost equalised immediately but Southwell cleared Beck's shot off the line.

Treleaven completes hat-trick

Treleaven then completed his hat-trick on 68 minutes when he raced onto a through ball, rounded Bognor keeper Matt Read, and tapped home. That was his last contribution as he was replaced by Paul Elliott, and Rebels' travelling fans gave him an excellent reception as he left the pitch.

Smith made it 3-2 with 15 minutes left when he brilliantly volleyed home Dutton-Black's cross but Rebels comfortably held on to the win.

And Worthing almost made it 4-2 in the last minute but Kennett's header from Skinner's corner was tipped over by Read.

Alan Pook's view

Worthing joint-boss Alan Pook said: "There was a lot to be pleased about, although I was disappointed with a couple of the players fitness levels.

"Bognor were excellent in the first half hour, and I haven't seen a side play like that well against us for five years-plus.

"But we wanted it and showed a lot of character. And the important thing was we kept creating chances."

BOGNOR: Read; Hill, Jupp, Whisken, Watson; Hinshelwood, Harris, Smith, Dutton-Black; Beck, McCallum. Subs: McEnery (McCallum 44), Waterman (Hinshelwood 54), Clark (Hill 69), Pearce (Whisken 77), Taylor.

WORTHING: Mansfield; R.Pook, Ballard, Andrews, Southwell; Lopez, Akehurst, Kennett, Demetriou, O'Flaherty; Treleaven. Subs: Brotheton, Skinner (Demetriou, Lopez 45), Elliott, Carlos (Treleaven, Mansfield 69), Booker (Pook 77).

Another Worthing XI on Friday, who included Stuart Axten, Andy Alexander and Scott Kirkwood, won 2-0 at Uckfield.

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