Worthing manager Adam Hinshelwood says their top of the table clash against Folkestone is the type of game they should be relishing.

The Rebels are top of the BetVictor Isthmian Premier with 63 points, five points ahead of Folkestone in second.

The sides meet at Woodside Road tomorrow and Hinshelwood says his side should look forward to it.

He said: “It is the type of game we need to be looking forward to at this stage of the season.

“Hopefully we can get a big crowd and hopefully it is a game that we can relish.

“Obviously we lost our last game, so we will be looking to bounce back from that but we need to make sure we keep our performance levels consistent, as even in the last game against Cray we performed well and it was a pretty even game.”

Folkestone have the third best defensive record in the league having conceded 32 goals in 29 games, with only Hornchurch (22) and Horsham (29) having shipped less.

Worthing’s opponents will also be confident heading into the game knowing a win could close the gap between them and the Rebels to two points and Hinshelwood is expecting a tough game.

He said: “They are a very good side, who have been together a long time and have experience throughout the spine of their team.

“They are a well drilled, a well organised side but we need to make sure we focus on ourselves.”

The Rebels have the biggest home attendances in the league averaging 856 this season.

They are set to be well supported again in what a key game in Worthing’s title challenge and Hinshelwood explained how important their support is.

He said: “It will be massive if we can get them behind us.

“We play the type of football which can get the crowd behind us and if we can play that kind of football and get them behind us it will help.”

One player who has been catching the eye with his performances for Worthing is Albion loanee Carl Rushworth.

The 18-year-old joined on loan from Albion in the summer, but missed a good chunk of the early part of the season through injury.

In his absence Albion loaned Worthing fellow prospect Roco Rees, who impressed during his spell at the club.

However, since recovering Rushworth has won the Isthmian League’s golden glove award for the last two months running, having only conceded four goals in eight games between December and January and Hinshelwood praised his contribution.

He said: “We agreed with Brighton to take Carl on loan in the summer, but just after that he got injured which ruled him out of the early part of the season, so they gave us Roco (Rees) who was excellent during his time here.

“It has taken Carl a bit of time to reach the heights of Roco, but some of the saves he has made and some of the performance he has put in have been excellent.

“All the lads have pulled up their socks recently and performed well and Carl has been a key part of how we have been doing recently.”

Hinshelwood confirmed that Worthing will be without Cameroon Tutt, who has aggravated his injury and Jesse Starkey who is suspended after being sent off in the defeat to Cray Wanderers last weekend.