In what turned out to be a major cup upset, Daggers’ veteran Paul Benson scored the first goal of the match, just before half time. Sadly for the East Londoners, Worthing showed that is was they who were the better side.
The Rebels came back thanks to an own goal from Josh Staunton, and Lloyd Dawes eventually got the winner for the underdogs.
There were two changes to the Daggers team which came out victorious against Dover. First-choice goalkeeper, Elliot Justham, was replaced by Mark Cousins. Frankie Raymond replaced Luke Guttridge.
Worthing came out strong in the opening minutes of the match. Dawes had a couple of chances but didn’t test Cousins enough.
Worthing fans celebrated in the 17th minute as Omar Bugiel managed to creep one past Cousins, but the ball rolled onto the post.
Corey Whitely nearly scored as he was played through the middle by Benson, but the forward shot wide of the Worthing goal.
Benson then scored the first goal of the match in the 40th minute, after a defensive error allowed the veteran to tap it in.
The Daggers nearly scored a second, through Whitely a minute into the second half. He dribbled his way into the box but Jack Fagan caught the weakly struck shot.
Horribly wrong
After 53 minutes Jordan Maguire-Drew, doing what he is known for amid a brilliant individual performance, beat his man and dribbled 40 yards into the Worthing area and cut into their box. However all the hard work was undone by a miserable finish.
The Rebels then got a goal back. Will Hendon crossed the ball into the box and Staunton was on the end of it and accidently put it into his own goal. It was all going horribly wrong for the Daggers.
Moments later a spectacular effort from Dawes ended up going over. Then Magnus Okuonghae’s ill-timed pass back allowed Dawes to take advantage of it and he slotted past Cousins in the 71st minute.
Cousins did very well to deny a humiliation by stopping Dawes at the near post.
The Daggers have Solihul Moors next in the Vanarama National League.
Daggers: Cousins, Widdowson, Doe, Raymond, Assombalonga (45 Hawkins), Benson (78 White), Maguire-Drew (88 Heard), Boucaud, Whitely, Okuonaghae, Staunton
Unused subs: Justham, Gordon
Worthing: Fagan, Hendon, Rents, Wills, Cook, Heath, Dawes, O’Neill (69 Edwards), Bugiel, Newton, Sparks (88 Brodie)
Unused subs: Belward, Boiling, Watson