1st Team Match Reports 05
Rusthall Football Club
Pre- Season Friendlies announced
Tuesday 18th July Rusthall 2 Tunbridge Wells 0
Saturday 22nd July v Hollands & Blair (H)
Saturday 29th July v Westerham (A)
Tuesday 1st August v Sevenoaks (H)
Sheerness East 4 Rusthall 2
Rusthall brought the curtain down on their first season in the Premier Division
with a disappointing result away at Sheerness. Managers Forbes and Brown took
the opportunity to try out a few new things, playing some players in unfamiliar
positions and blooding some new players.
Rusthall started the better and controlled things early on. Dave Burren playing
in a midfield five with Brown and Lester were getting the better of their
counterparts and Balmer and Millins up front looked lively. As early as the
fifth minute Millins got away down the left and produced a far post ball that
Lester was just unable to get to. On 10 minutes good work between Brown and
Balmer created a shooting chance for Lester, but his shot was well saved by the
keeper.
On 20 minutes Sheerness could have taken the lead, when following a long throw,
Owen Myles deflect the ball towards his own goal, but Phil Hassell was on hand
to scramble the ball away. Five minutes later against the run of play Sheerness
did take the lead, a good free kick from the right had the Rusthall defenders
at six and sevens with the ball being driven home at the far post.
At half time Perkins replaced Balmer and made an immediate impact, with the
Rustics drawing level on 50 minutes. Alan Chapman put Perkins away and he beat
three players before squaring the ball for Millins who calmly slotted home.
Rusthall grew in confidence from this and had two further chances from Ashmore
and Perkins before they did take the lead on 60 minutes. A long ball out of
defence fell kindly for Perkins and from 35 yards he spotted the keeper of his
line and drilled the ball home.
. On 75 minutes, the game turned against Rusthall, when Burren was adjudged to
handle the ball in the area. The Sheerness forward calmly slotting home the
resulting penalty. From this point on Rusthall’s heads dropped and Sheerness
became the dominate side in the match. On 80 minutes a cross from the right was
well met by their forward who headed home and as Rusthall pushed for an
equaliser, Sheerness sealed the points when the forward was able to nip in
between Myles and Hawkins and head over the on rushing keeper.
The defeat sees the Rustics finish disappointingly just below mid table, early
season promise saw them climb as high as third, but a string of players being
unavailable, some poor performances and some bad luck have seen them struggle
in the second half of the season. Brown and Forbes will be looking to strength
the side for next season if they are to compete for promotion to the Kent
League.
Bromley Green 1 Rusthall 1
In the Kent County Premier Division Rusthall travelled to Bromley Green and on
a sun baked pitch came away with a good point registering a 1-1 scoreline. The
Rustics recalled Robert Perkins up front and Mark Lester as part of a central
midfield trio. Even with the sun beating down the game started at a furious
pace with early exchanges not yielding any clear cut chances. On a tricky
surface it was good pressure on the home defence from Perkins and Ian Balmer
that resulted in the games first opportunity. After 5 minutes a clearance,
blocked by Balmer, looped up on the edge of the six yard box, Lester challenged
the keeper in the air who fumbled it but just as the ball was about to be
tucked away the referee blew for a foul against the attacking player.
Rusthall continued to put pressure on the home team with Burren combining well
with Hassell and Hunter on the flanks and it was from this where their best
chance came from. A fluid move down the right resulted in Hassell cutting the
ball back for Balmer, who from 10 yards drove the ball inches wide of the top
corner. As the half wore on Bromley Green came into the game more and enjoyed
good possession penetrating through the full back regions. This caused problems
for the Rusthall midfield and before they could counteract this threat the home
team broke down the right with the winger cutting in and shooting from 20
yards. The tame shot looked to be fairly comfortable for Hawkins in goal but he
took his eyes off the ball at the last second and it sneaked under his fingers
to give Bromley Green the lead 10 minutes before the break.
The second half saw Rusthall revert to a
Fresh legs injected fresh urgency as Rusthall picked up the tempo. Lester, now
playing on the left, picked the ball up on the half way line, drove infield and
unleashed a shot from 35 yards. The unsighted keeper sprawled to his right but
was unable to keep out the effort the ball nestling in corner of the goal. With
15 minutes left both sides pushed for the win and Rusthall came closest when a
ball bouncing around the area was handled by a defender but the referee waved
play on and Lester's subsequent shot was blocked. Balmer was replaced by
Millins, combined with Burren on the left side of the area who drove the ball
across goal with no-one able to get a finishing touch.
Milton 5 Rusthall 2
Rusthall’s poor end of season form continued with a lacklustre performance away
to
In the second half Rusthall again conceded a poor goal before a mini revival
provided some hope. Rusthall changed formation and personnel and scored with
Ian Balmer drilling one in from 18 yards. Dave Burren scored a second with a
fine finish from close range following a Steve Ashmore cross, but soon after
the strong
Rusthall 1 Stansfeld O & B 1
Jockey Farm hosted a good game on Saturday, between two teams both who tried to
play football. Stansfeld started the better of the two sides, kicking up the
slope in the first half, their neat passing game causing the Rustic’s defence
some issues early on.
On 12 minutes as Rusthall attacked, a long ball out of the Stansfeld defence
caught Rusthall full back Hunter the wrong side of his man allowing the
Stansfeld winger an easy crossing opportunity to provide an on rushing McKone
with a simple tap in to put the visitors 1-0 ahead.
This stung the Rustics into life and they started to come more into the game
with Brown and Balmer beginning to win more ball and Myles and Hunter
distributing well, Rusthall pushed on. The fit again Perkins always looked
dangerous, whilst Dave Burren upfront enjoyed his best performance of the
season. Burren went close with a chance on 25 minutes that just went over the
Stansfeld bar and Perkins had a half chance, but scuffed his shot on 28
minutes.
Rusthall were however level on 35 minutes, a deep Hassell freekick was met in
the box by Burren whose knock down fell to Perkins and the forward managed to
scramble the ball home from 3 yards.
The second half started much the same as the first half finished, with the game
swinging end to end. Stansfeld should have regained the lead on 50 minutes when
a stray ball from Millins let in the centre forward. He was met by the
onrushing keeper Hawkins, who spread himself well to keep the scores level. On
65 minutes good work between Millins and Balmer, put Burren in on goal but his
tame shot was saved easily by the keeper.
As the game reached its final quarter Stansfeld were enjoying slightly more of
the play, without looking like scoring. The final chance of the match fell to
Steve Ashmore in added time, when good work down the right by Lester and
Perkins, saw the ball arrive at the unmarked Ashmore at the far post.
Unfortunately instead of hitting the ball first time, Ashmore tried to take it
past the keeper, who did enough to scramble the ball away, to ensure that the
game ended in probably the right result a 1-1 draw.
RUSTHALL 0 BROMLEY GREEN 2
The rustics slumped to defeat at the hands of a strong Bromley Green team who
scored with two wonderful strikes.
Playing up the hill and against the wind Rusthall defended resolutely but a
wonder 25 yard strike from the leagues leading scorer Hodges proved to be the
difference between the teams in the first half. Bromley controlled much of the
possession but rarely penetrated due to strong defensive work and the Rustics
were unlucky not to score first when Ashmore broke through and shot high with
just the keeper to beat. Ian Balmer also stung the Bromleys keepers hands and
if the bRustics were sharper might have scored from the rebound, at the other
end a shot was put high over the bar when the bromley forward really should
have hit the target.
Going down the hill with the wind in the second half Rusthall started the
stronger, winning corners and generally putting pressure on the Bromley
defence, but as Rusthall had in the first half they stood firm and relatively
untroubled. As time wore on and a goal looking unlikely the Rustics changed
formation and pushed on, but rather than looking more dangerous this handed the
advantage to the strong Bromley midfield who regained the majority of
possession and broke well. This ultimately led to the second goal, which was
another well struck shot from the edge of the box, Bromley had swept down the
right hand side, and a neat ball to the man over on the break sealed the
Rustics fate, and Rusthalls inability to keep a clean sheet or create enough
chances are proving costly .
Crockenhill 1 Rusthall 1
Rusthall travelled to Crockenhill on Saturday missing seven first team regulars
due to injuries and suspensions. A new look back four saw Karl Mitchell come in
at right back, Owen Myles move to centre back and Andy Bungay play his first
game of the season at sweeper.
On a surprisingly dry pitch, the game started fairly evenly with both sets of
strikers dominating the respective defences. On 5 minutes the Rustics should
have taken the lead when good work between stand in skipper Millins and make
shift centre forward Coxon, saw the latter delivery a neat far post cross to
Burren, whose header was scrambled away by the keeper.
The next ten minutes belonged to Crockenhill as they took control of the
midfield, winning all of the 50/50 challenges and exploiting the space behind
both Rustics full backs. On 10 minutes a mix up in the defence allowed the
Crockenhill forward, a free run on goal, but Phil Hawkins in the Rusthall goal
stood up well and managed to make the save. However, Rusthall’s good fortune
did not last , when on 17 minutes the same played beat an exposed Bungay to the
ball and confidently drilled the ball past Hawkins to give Crockenhill a
deserved 1-0.
From this point Rusthall began to come into the game more, but it was evident
to anyone watching that this was a side that had not played together before as
passes went astray, and general communication was poor. On 35 minutes Rusthall
equalised when a period of pressure resulted in a series of corners. From the
last of these corners, Coxon met Millins cross at the back post and sent a
looping header into the top right corner.
The rest of the half was end to end with Rusthall creating a few half chances
and Crockenhill getting forward in numbers and putting some dangerous crosses
into the box, which the were unable to convert.
At the beginning of the second half the injured Bungay was replaced by Ashmore,
which forced yet another reshuffle. The Rustics dominated the early part of the
second half and looked the team more likely to score, with half chances falling
to Coxon and Burren, with Millins having a low shot comfortably saved by the
keeper. On 60 minutes the best chance of the match fell to Ashmore, when
following good work from Coxon and Aldridge, he found himself free at the back
post, but was unable to keep his shot down with the keeper beaten. On 75
minutes the most controversial point of the match occurred, when a Millins
corner was headed towards goal by Coxon and the Crockenhill defender jumped and
tipped the ball over the bar. The Rusthall players and the crowd beside the
goal appealed for a penalty and the linesman flagged in agreement, however
despite the protest and after consulting the linesman, the referee awarded a
goal kick.
From this point despite effort from both sides, the game fizzled out into a
draw , with both sides happy with a point for different reasons and the Rustics
feeling that they had again been on the end of another poor decision.
Forbes and Brown are hopeful that Balmer, Hassell, Welch, Chapman, will be
available for next weeks visit by Bromley Green, but Perkins, Myhill and Andy
Myles look like they have played their last games of the season.
Rusthall 5 Crockenhill 1
Rusthall got back to winning ways in the County Premier Division with a 5-1
victory against Crockenhill to move up to fourth in the table. On a bright
afternoon the Rustics took an early lead through an Ian Balmer header after 2
minutes following a good cross by Martin Millins. This would have normally
steadied the home side but their recent poor form meant another goal would be
necessary before they could relax, this didn’t arrive until the 40th minute
when a diagonal ball from Balmer picked out a well timed run by Rob Perkins who
finished well whilst under pressure. At times during the first half Crockenhill
made their extra man in midfield tell, getting behind the Rusthall defence on a
couple of occasions but any danger was easily dealt with by the solid defence
well marshalled by Dave Welsh. After the break Rusthall continued to dominate
proceedings with Millins being effective down the right flank, delivering good
crosses for make shift striker Nick Coxon to thrive upon. It was however a
defensive mistake through which Rusthall increased their lead when Perkins
grabbed his second goal of the game after latching onto a loose ball from the
Crockenhill centre back, calmly slotting home on 60 minutes. With a three goal
advantage Rusthall rang the changes replacing Balmer and Perkins with Ollie
Myhill and John Elliott respectively. The home team pressed on with Welch
initiating wave after wave of attacks mainly through Millins who terrorised
down the right all game. This time Mark Lester made use of a brilliant cross
from Millins by getting in between two defenders and the goalkeeper to somehow
force the ball over the line through a combination of his head and the
defenders shoulder. The away team's main threat came on the break as Rusthall
pushed forward, one such foray saw the Crockenhill striker cut in from the
right and drive the ball against Welch's arm the referee immediately awarding a
penalty. More drama followed as the spot kick was smashed against the crossbar,
rebounding back into the penalty area and with the Rusthall defence caught
napping, the Crockenhill forward finished well pass the helpless Hawkins who
had been rarely troubled during the previous 80 minutes. Rusthall then made
their third change Smithers making way for the pale Forbes who's forward runs
continued to perplex the away defence. The home team capitalised on another
defensive error this time Elliott the benefactor tapping in after a loose ball
across the area to score his first goal after a year out of the game.
Snodland 1 Rusthall 0
Rusthall continued their poor run of results in the Kent County Premier
Division with a 1-0 defeat away to Snodland. On a bitter, blustery afternoon
Rusthall played into the wind during the first half and enjoyed continuous
success down the right hand side through Owen Myles and Martin Millins, the latter
getting behind the home defence on numerous occasions only to see his crosses
cleared well by the solid Snodland defence. Rusthall also faired well down the
left with Mark Lester linking well with Rob Perkins and Ian Balmer and on 35
minutes the away team created their best chance of the half. Balmer received
the ball wide on the left, combined well with Perkins who set the ball back for
Lester to pick out Ollie Myhill bursting through the middle. Myhill controlled
the ball on his chest but it would not drop quickly enough for the player to
get his shot away, a mixture of defender and goalkeeper scrambling the ball to
safety. Snodland used the wind to their advantage delivering dangerous crosses
from both the left and right flanks and were unlucky themselves not to register
the first goal of the game, some good last ditch defending from Colin Smithers
and Phil Hassell preventing the Rustics goal being threatened. On 40 minutes a
good move down the Snodland right saw the full back given time to pick his
cross and a smart shot from their centre forward looked like a certain goal
until Phil Hawkins pulled off a remarkable save deflecting the ball over the
crossbar.
The Rustics started well in the second half and began to stretch the Snodland
defence with good running from midfield from Millins and Lester and on 50
minutes a defence splitting ball from Myles saw Lester control on the edge of
the box only for the defender to get round and poke the ball away. Snodland
soaked up the pressure well and after a couple of substitutions began to
frustrate the Rusthall attacking line who seemed to run out of ideas. The home
team counter-attacked well and caught out the Rusthall defence a couple of
times, their forward line not quite able to apply the finishing touches. It was
now Rusthall’s turn to make substitutions with Dave Welch replacing Myhill (70)
and Peter Marchant trading places with Perkins (75) who had picked up an
injury. The introduction of Welch gave the Rustics refreshed impetus, Millins
putting in Balmer down the right who skipped round the defender to the by-line
only to see his near post shot cannon off the goalkeeper legs to safety. With
Rusthall pushing forward, a moment’s indecision from Hassell saw the ball
ricochet off a Snodland players legs back over the halfway line for the home
team striker to run onto and place the ball pasted Hawkins to take the lead on
80 minutes. Rusthall brought on Jeff Harrison for Ashmore but could not find a
clear opening to get back into the game, Snodland holding on for their third
win in a row.
Rusthall 1 Norton Sports 1
The game kicked off in light rain which was to increase and cause the majority
of this match to be played in a bath of mud. Considering the conditions this
was to be a good game of football played by two teams eager for a win. From the
kick off it was to be Norton who put on the immediate pressure playing down the
hill and earning a corner in the opening minutes. With the early pressure
weathered the new Rusthall formation settled and started to control
proceedings. Martin Millins moving to his preferred wide position, terrorised
the right hand side running at the defence and putting in telling crosses. The
front duo of Balmer and Perkins unsettling the slower Norton defence and
causing problems with intelligent runs. It was with one of these runs that
Perkins was put through, and was brought down by the onrushing goalkeeper,
which earned the resulting penalty. Perkins picked himself up and drilled the
penalty, which the Norton keeper somehow got a hand to and put it over the bar
with a fine save. Soon after Norton launched a raid down the right, and the
right back on the overlap tried to cross - which he cruelly sliced over the top
of the hapless Phil Hawkins.
Rusthall replied within minutes from a corner. Millins put a great ball in for
Coxon who flicked on for Perkins to redeem himself by finishing at the far
post. Norton soon had their best chance an uncharacteristic mistake by Coxon
when he mis-controlled a pass put the Norton forward clean through with no-one
but the keeper to beat, but rustic keeper Phil Hawkins got his angles correct
and made a difficult save look easy by diving to his left and gathering the
shot when Nortons striker really should have done better.
In the second half it was Norton who started the stronger putting in a series
of crosses which Hawkins and the defence dealt with well. But as in the first
half Rusthall settled and started moving the ball around neatly, and chances
soon started arriving, Balmer came close on two occasions with neat strikes,
one of which was saved brilliantly by the impressive norton keeper. Coxon was
to come a cropper late on when challenging the keeper from a cross, they
clashed and he took a knock on the face which seemed to have broken his nose. Rusthall
still pushed on peppering the goal with wayward shots ,but as has been the case
recently the Rustics can’t quite find the killer instinct to finish off teams
when in command, and the game finished, wet, muddy and even.
Rusthall 1 Fleet Leisure 2
Rusthall suffered their third defeat this time against lowly Fleet Leisure at
Jockey Farm. In the previous two weeks the Rustics have been unlucky against
the top sides, this however could not be said this week against one of the
weakest sides to visit Jockey Farm this season.
Rusthall started well, going up the hill in the first half, they dominated
proceedings with the defence of Hassell, Smithers and Coxon coping with the
long ball tactics employed by Fleet. On 10 minutes good interplay between Perkins
and Balmer put the latter through on goal only for the linesman to halt the
play for offside. Rusthall then enjoyed a spell of dominance without finding
any end product. On too many occasions the final ball into the box was either
not quite good enough or fell into an area where the Rustic forwards were not.
On 28 minutes Rusthall took the lead when Rob Perkins held off the Fleet
defenders challenge before turning well and drilling the ball past the Fleet
keeper. As the half came to a close Rusthall continued to press with Hunter and
Chapman, both making space on the left and delivering good crosses into
dangerous areas.
The second half, started as the first had ended with Rusthall on the attack.
Balmer went close on 46 minutes, but for all their dominance the Rustics could
not get the important second goal.
As the half went on Fleet began to come more into the game, and although the
Rustics looked the stronger side, they could not match Fleet for their work
rate, commitment and importantly team spirit. On 65 minutes Fleet levelled,
when forward Eyre controlled a ball on his chest, turned and hit a superb
volley past the stranded Hawkins.
With both teams looking for a winner the final 15 minutes was end to end stuff
without either side creating any clear cut chances, until the 83 minute when
Erskine outpaced Myles and headed in on goal. Myles managed to get back and
block Erskine’s shot, but the ball looped up and over Hawkins and into the net
to give Fleet the three points.
Lewisham Borough 2 Rusthall 1
Rusthall travelled to top of the league Lewisham on Saturday and for the second
week running will feel aggrieved that they came away with nothing, this time
losing to an 80th minute wonder goal.
Lewisham started the better, pressurising the Rustics defence from the start
and forcing keeper Phil Hawkins into a smart save early on. In a physical game,
Rusthall matched their opponents for both strength and commitment, with Coxon
and Aldridge receiving early bookings. After 10 minutes Rusthall had their
first chance when a good cross from Aldridge was met at the back post by
Hunter, whose firm shot bought a good save out of the Lewisham keeper.
From the restart Lewisham attacked and won the first of a series of corners. It
was from the third of these corners that they took the lead, when a deep cross
was met firmly by a midfielders head. The Rusthall players clearly felt that in
scoring he had held down Myhill, but the goal stood.
From the restart Rusthall could have levelled straight away, as Hunter again
found himself in a good position, only for the keeper to make a fine save, with
Perkins just unable to stab the lose ball home. Lewisham then attacked again
and from another corner almost doubled their lead but for a spectacular save by
Hawkins. Hawkins was again called on in the 25th minute when a deep cross from
the left was met firmly by the Lewisham forward, whose well directed header was
pushed round the post.
On 30 minutes the Rustics were level, when following good work by Balmer and
Chapman, Perkins volleyed the ball over the keeper from 18 yards. Rusthall grew
in confidence from this and enjoyed their best spell of the game. On 35 minutes
Perkins was put through on goal by Millins, forcing the keeper into a fine
double save to keep the scores level at half time. The second half was a rather
drab affair; with Rusthall probably looking the more likely to score without
either side creating any real clear cut chances. On 65 min Burren replaced
Aldridge and Lester replaced Myhill. With the game heading for a draw, Lewisham
struck on 80 minutes to claim all three points, a long goal kick bounced
between the midfield and defence and from fully 35 yards the Lewisham
midfielder turned and hit a superb volley passed the stranded Hawkins in the
Rustic goal.
Despite the lose, Rustics joint manager Robbie Forbes was again pleased with
the performance saying that “ In the past two weeks we have played two of the
best teams in the league and proved that we can more than compete at this
level”. Rusthall now face another difficult game against Fleet Leisure next
week, but go into the match full of heart.
Faversham Town 1 Rusthall 0
Despite playing some of their best football of the season and dominating the
game for 75 minutes, Rusthall went down 1-0 at promotion chasing Faversham on
Saturday. On a heavy pitch Rusthall had the better of the opening period
without creating any clear cut chances. On 20 minutes Millins shot just wide
after being put in by Aldridge and on 24 minutes the keeper denied Perkins when
he was through on goal despite a late offside flag.
The Rusthall wingers of Hunter and Aldridge were finding space behind the
Faversham full backs, and delivering good crosses that at times were being
scrambled away, Rusthall’s dominance continued as the half progressed with a
series of 5 corners in the space of three minutes. Rusthall’s best chance of
the half came on 30 minutes when a Millins free kick evaded the goalkeeper and
ran across the front of the goal with 3 Rusthall players just unable to get the
finishing touch.
Faversham should have taken the lead on 33 minutes when following a mix up in
the Rusthall defence, keeper Hawkins was left stranded, however Lee Aldridge
made two goal line blocks to keep the scores level. Faversham did make the
break through on 38 minutes when a flick on from a corner was met by the
Faversham forward who buried the ball from 3 yards giving them a 1-0 half time
lead
The second half began with Faversham’s best period of the match and the Rustics
were lucky to survive when Faversham influential skipper Julian Beal went close
with two efforts. Again as the half progress the Rustics began to dominate,
With Balmer pulling the strings in the middle to the park and Myles and Coxon
looking strong at the back the Rustics pushed forward. Rusthall’s first good
chance of the second half came on 60 minutes after good work down the right by
Aldridge, left Hunter with a half chance that was blocked well by the Faversham
defender.
On 63 minutes Balmer got in behind the Faversham defence, but could only put
his shot into the Faversham keeper’s arms. The Rustics continued to push and
twice Millins delivered good crosses from the right which firstly Burren failed
to convert and secondly fell to Balmer, whose shot was cleared off the line.
On 70 minutes the Rustics, introduced the returning Myhill to replace the
tiring Hunter, and this almost paid dividends, when following good work between
Myhill and Millins, put Perkins away, but his shot was well saved by the
keeper. On 75 minutes a Burren cross was met by Perkins whose well placed shot
was well saved by the keeper.
In the last ten minutes the Rustics threw caution to the wind in search of the
deserved equaliser and this presented the home side with more space to explore.
On 85 minutes following good interplay, the Rustics had Hawkins to thank for
keeping them in the game when a well place shot from the Faversham forward was
saved down to his left.
The Rustics continued to press, but Faversham defended well and held out for
the winning leaving the Rustic management of Forbes and Brown pleased with an
excellent performance, but frustrated by the sides failure to find the net.
Rusthall 1 Cray Valley 0
A 30 yard blast from Martin Millins in the 2nd minute of second half injury
time gave Rusthall a deserved victory against Premier Division champions Cray
Valley on Saturday.
Going down the hill in the first half Cray dominated the opening exchanges,
with their front two looking lively and a classy midfielder pulling the strings,
giving the Rusthall back three of Brown, Coxon and Myles a difficult opening
period. As early as the fifth minute a neat move saw their forward in with a
good chance, but luckily he was unable to convert.
As the half progress Cray continue to use the ball well, competed better than
Rusthall and won most of the 50/50 challenges. On 20 minutes a fine move saw
the Cray forward in on goal, but he shot weakly allowing Hawkins to make the
save. On 25 minutes Hawkins saved well from a Cray free kick to prevent them
taking a deserved leave.
Finally the Rustics got going and as the half drew to a close they began to
come into the game. Balmer and Chapman began to win the ball in midfield and
Hunter and Hassell began to do some good work down the flanks. Chapman who
became the games dominate player went close with shots on 30 and 34 minutes,
before the Cray goalkeeper almost gifted the Rustics the lead when a back pass
bobbled over his foot and just wide of the post.
As with the previous week against Sheerness, the Rustics were to be a different
side in the second half. Straight from the restart Hunter should have put the
Rustics in the lead, when after good work from Burren and Millins he just
failed to make good contact with the cross. On 55 minutes Chapman forced the
goalkeeper into a great save with a 25 yard right foot shot, and on 60 minutes
Hassell shot over when a slip in the Cray defence allowed him a half chance.
On 65 minutes Brown was lucky to escape with a yellow card after a slip,
allowed the Cray forward to steal the ball and advance on goal. In his attempts
to get back to the player, Brown committed a foul. The referee adjudged that
Coxon had made enough ground to cover Brown, but on another day this decision
could easily have gone against Rusthall.
To their credit both sides went looking for the win, on 70 minutes the Cray
forward saw a great volley from outside the box just scrap past by Hawkins left
hand post, whilst at the other end Burren should have done better when through
on goal. Aldridge replaced the tiring Hassell and Ashmore replaced Hunter as
Rusthall pushed on. On 80 and 83 minutes Ashmore had two chances, firstly he
was put in on goal, but blasted his shot wildly over the bar and then he was
unlucky when he just managed to get to Aldridge’s cross before the keeper but
the covering defender easily cleared the ball.
. Finally as the excellent game looked to be heading for a draw, Millins struck
in injury time. A long punt from Hawkins was knocked on by Burren to Millins
who controlled the ball and looked up to see the goalkeeper of his line. His
dipping 30 yard shot sailed over the keepers head and into the net for the
Rustics to claim all three points. Next week the Rustics travel to title
favourites Faversham with their confidence sky high.
Kent Intermediate Challange Shield Q/F
Rusthall 1 Sheerness East 2
Sheerness progressed to the next round of the Kent Cup with a closely contested
victory at Jockey Farm. Playing down the hill in the first half sheerness took
advantage as early as the fifth minute Colin Smithers scoring an own goal,
stretching and heading in, whist defending against a flick on from a throw in.
Rusthall fought back and came close a couple of times with Dave Burren
providing the danger. Sheerness were causing problems down the flanks and
probing for a second which was to come when the speedy right winger got to the
byline and pulled the ball back across goal, Colin Smithers tried to block the
ensuing shot and unfortunately scored his second own goal of the game.
In the second half the Rustics rallied and started to dominate proceedings,
Alan Chapman pulling the strings from midfield, probing for an opening, but the
Sheerness defence were providing a difficult line to break, that was until
Chapman was felled in the area for a clear cut penalty, which was duly
despatched by Rob Perkins. This then led to a frantic last 20 mins, Ben Evans
coming on to provide more fire power, coming close on a couple of occasions,
and a barrage of crosses and shots, one of which was cleared of the line,
reining in on the Sheerness goal, though it was to be a defenders day with
sheerness holding out valiantly and winning the day 2-1 without scoring a
single goal!
Bearsted 1 Rusthall 2
Rusthall ending the most successful year in their 106 history with a solid win
away at Bearsted which moved them up to fourth in the Premier League. New
signing Alan Chapman replaced the absent joint manager Robbie Brown at sweeper
for his full debut and looked solid throughout; otherwise it was the same team
that had defeated Orpington the week before.
The Rustics playing into a strong wind had to defend early on, when Bearsted
had their best period of the game, a series of early corners where defend
resolutely with the Rustics breaking on the counter attack to good effect. On
15 minutes Rusthall took the lead following good work by Owen Myles, man of the
match Ian Balmer put in a deep cross which Steve Ashmore met firmly at the far
post to slide home. From this point on Rusthall took charge. Ollie Myhill was
dominate in the centre of midfield and Rob Perkins always looked dangerous,
forcing the Bearsted keeper into two fine saves on 20 and 31 minutes. With
Balmer driving forward and Hassell and Ashmore supporting well, the rustics
looked like increasing their lead.
This was to change on 42 minutes however, when Bearsted where awarded a dubious
free kick on the edge of the Rusthall penalty area. Despite a five man wall,
Smith curled a great free kick into the top corner giving Hawkins no chance in the
Rusthall goal. On 44 minutes Bearsted looked to have taken the lead when their
centre forward headed home from a corner, only for the referee to disallow the
goal for pushing on Hawkins.
With the wind in the second half the Rustics began the better side. Chapman
marshalled the defence well and started spraying the ball around. On 60 minutes
Rusthall where award an equally dubious penalty when the Bearsted defender was
adjudged to handled in the area. In some ways this made up for the decision
when the sides met two weeks ago, when Rusthall had been denied a certain
penalty at a crucial time. However the Bearsted players where incensed and
after a period which saw the referee book 3 of their players, Rob Perkins
calmly drilled the ball home to put the Rustics in front.
Bearsted pushed on, and their only real chance to equalise came on 70 minutes
when the Rusthall defence got caught out of position and Hawkins made an
excellent one on one save, before the ball was scrambled to safety. On 75
minutes Mitchell replaced Millins up front and almost scored with his first
touch after being set up by Balmer. On 80 minutes Rusthall should have sealed
the game, when Mitchell set up Burren, who delayed his shot and allowed the
Bearsted defence to steal the ball from him. The last chance of the match fell
again to Mitchell on 85 minutes when following a free kick awarded for a back
pass, his shot was blocked on the line.
.
Kent Intermediate Shield
Rusthall 2 Orpington 1 (AET)
Ten man Rusthall sealed a cup victory against Orpington, in extra time after a
close fought encounter at Jockey Farm.
Orpington had revenge on the mind after being pipped to the Division 1 title on
the last match of last season, so a firey encounter was guaranteed. The Rustics
started well with Rob Perkins missing an easy chance in the opening ten
minutes, and were controlling possession well with a dominant five in midfield
but it was Orpington who would open the scoring, when Steve Ashmore attempting
a back pass miscued the ball straight into the path of the grateful centre
forward who the lobbed the ball over the onrushing Phil Hawkins.
The rest of the first half was fairly even with contrasting styles of play
dominating events, the Rusthall defence of Brown, Coxon, and Myles handling the
longer ball game and three forwards of Orpington without too many problems, and
the sometimes neat short game of the Rustics not quite opening the tight
Orpington defence up.
Rusthalls equaliser just before half time came from the impressive Ollie Myhill
a towering header at the far post from a corner won by Burrens persistence in
the front line. Rusthall then grabbed the upperhand and pushed for the winner
which they though might have come when a penalty was awarded too them for a
push in the box, unfortunately Millins was unable too convert when he scuffed
the ball into the exultant keepers arms.
This noticeably lifted Orpington who then put the Rustics in the back foot
creating problems down the flanks, which then ultimately led to Nick Coxon
being sent off for a professional foul on the theatrical Orpington centre
forward.
As is often the case the ten men of Rusthall rallied, new signing Alan Chapman
coming on the left of midfield nearly scoring from 20 yards with a fine shot
which the Orpington keeper saved acrobatically, Dave Burren following up with a
similar effort which was saved equally well.
Extra time came and top scorer Burren was to be the hero, Millins provided a
perfect cross after robbing the defence in the corner and Burren flicked a fine
header over the stranded Orpington keeper. Orpington then threw caution too the
wind and attacked with all they had, but such was Rusthalls spirit that they
repelled these without incident and still created more chances themselves, Owen
Myles running half the pitch from defence beating the now sparce Orpington
defence, but his surprise at being so far upfield made him rush his opportunity
when only the keeper to beat, and then Rob Perkins shooting into the side
netting to practically end the days proceedings and a good win for the tired
Rustics.
Sevenoaks 2 Rusthall 2
In a hastily arranged friendly, the Rustics drew on Tuesday night against Kent
League Sevenoaks. Both sides took the opportunities to try a few new players in
different positions. For the Rustics Nick Smith came into the middle of
midfield and made an impressive debut. The Rustics took the lead as early as
the 4th minute when Ollie Myhill powered home a Steve Ashmore corner, but
Sevenoaks came back strong and scored two goals in quick succession to lead
after 30 minutes. Just before half time the Rustics levelled the score when
Millins finished well following good work from Perkins. The second half was
fairly even with chances at both ends and all in all proved to be a good work
out for all concerned
Rusthall 1 Bearsted 3
Rusthall still 4th in the league missed out in the chance to close the gap on
the leading teams with a poor performance and loss to Bearsted.
As has been the case in recent games Rusthall started strongly, putting Bearsted
under pressure in the first 10 mins, Lee Aldridge with some good passing and
possession but this unfortunately wasn’t to last. Once Bearsted found their
feet, they made good use of their speedy winger who Steve Ashmore struggled to
contain, he beat the offside trap after 20 mins and scored with a fine lob from
a wide angle over the stranded Hawkins. Rusthall tried to respond but time
after time found their crosses falling either straight to Bearsteds keeper or
off the pitch. Bearsteds superior strength and tackling constantly upset the
now lacklustre Rustics who’s composure was rattled so it wasn’t too surprising
when Bearsted scored their second in the first 10 mins of the second half.
Now playing down the slope Rusthall probed eagerly Millins especially working
hard, but again the final delivery in was too poor to find any result, and the
simple football Bearsted were playing kept them looking comfortable making good
use of the flanks. Finally the Rustics had a breakthrough and when Burren
crossed from deep, and Bearsteds goalkeeper came and missed the ball only to
see his right back clear the ball into the back of his own net.
Rusthall rallied looking for the equaliser, but as has happened all to often
this season were caught short on the counter attack and conceded the third with
15 mins left. Bearstead withstood with ease the Rustics final assaults and went
home with a comfortable 3 points.
Samuel Montagu 2 Rusthall 0
Rusthall travelled to Samuel Montagu FC this week in the Inter-regional Cup
Challenge and struggled to emulate their recent form going down 2-0 to the
division one outfit. The Rustics gave places in the starting line-up to Owen
Myles and Ian Balmer with Mark Lester and Ollie Myhill amongst the substitutes.
The match started well for the away team and after a good run through the
middle Lee Aldridge was fouled giving the Rustics a good opportunity 25 yards
from goal. Martin Millins took the free-kick and his goal bound shot was tipped
round the post by the goal keeper sprawling to his right. More pressure from
the forward line saw a mix up in the home defence after a hoisted ball dropped
between goal keeper and centre back, Dave Burren capitalising on this error
only to see his left foot snapshot creep past the post.
After surviving early pressure Samuel Montagu enjoyed some lengthy periods of
possession with no real penetration until on 35 minutes a ball behind the
defence resulted in a good cross from the right hand side which was firmly met
at the far post giving Hawkins no chance and giving the home team the lead. The
physicality of the home side started to disrupt Rusthall’s play and frustration
grew resulting in them more and more frequently employing long ball tactics
that were comfortably dealt with by the aerially dominant Samuel Montagu
defence.
The second half saw a change in formation for Rusthall in an effort to
re-assert themselves in the cup tie, but Samuel Montagu stuck to their game
plan and spoilt any attacking play that the Rustics initiated. The home team
continued to control proceedings and from a corner increased their lead when,
on 70 minutes, a ball dropping underneath the crossbar was headed home
virtually unchallenged.
This prompted a double substitution from Rusthall seeing Lester and Myhill
replace Smithers and Aldridge. Lester was immediately involved and a good run
down the left saw a deep cross nicked away from the late arriving Perkins. The
match fell into an end to end frenzy with Rusthall throwing everything forward
trying to get back into the game and Samuel Montagu relentlessly hitting them
on the counter attack. Rusthall threw on another attacking option with Andy
Myles replacing Ashmore after 75 minutes. The away team though they had clawed
one goal back when Burren finished neatly from a tight angle only to be denied
by a hasty flag from the referee’s assistant.
Balmer, who had worked tirelessly on the right hand side, saw little joy all
game but when supported by Owen Myles late into the game looked dangerous.
After combining well on the right, Myles provided a good through ball picking
out the late run from Lester who tried to chip the ball over the on-rushing
goal keeper only to see the ball drift past the far post and with it any chance
of Rusthall getting back in the game.
A good performance from Samuel Montagu was only marred by one of their more
experienced defenders being sent off for punching Myhill after the two seemed
to have exchanged words off the ball. The guilty player further disgraced
himself by refusing to leave the field of play trying to continue his violent
outburst much to embarrassment of his fellow team mates.
Rusthall are back in league duty tomorrow (Saturday) entertaining Bearsted at
Jockey Farm.
Lydd Town 1 Rusthall 3
This week in the Premier Division Rusthall travelled to Lydd Town looking for a
result to avenge their home defeat earlier in the season. On a relatively calm
day the Rustics continued their winning ways and recorded a 1-3 victory,
increasing their consecutive win tally to three in all competitions. Rusthall
started well and were first to the ball with Martin Millins getting in down the
flanks on numerous occasions, putting in good crosses, the best chance falling
to Rob Perkins, early on, who failed to make contact when the ball was driven
across the six yard box with any touch surely resulting in a goal. On 32
minutes, persistent pressure on the Lydd goal eventually told, a good cross
from Myhill resulting in Dave Burren nodding down for Perkins who buried the
ball in the back of the net from five yards. This seemed to wake up the home
team who gradually grew in confidence and enjoyed the majority of possession as
the game neared half time.
Good strength and link up play from the Lydd forwards continually upset the
normally solid defensive partnership of Coxon and Smithers. Lydd coming closest
to equalising on 38 minutes when a ball laid back was struck seemingly straight
at Hawkins only to take a deflection off Smithers’ head onto the post, across
the goal line only just missing the opposite post much to the relief of the
routed Hawkins. The Rusthall midfield became ragged and one too many late
tackles saw Myhill receive a yellow card on 40 minutes, this was
instantaneously evened up a minute later when Perkins was pole-axed right in
front of the away dug-out. The Rustic goal soon came under more pressure when a
long ball came off Robbie Brown’s thigh straight into the path of the Lydd wide
player who took the ball first time on the volley only to be repelled by a now
alert Hawkins. There was still time for Rusthall to counterattack, Lester
finding himself in acres of space on the edge of the area only to take one
touch too many, his shot courageously blocked by a Lydd defender.
The second half started much the same as the first with Rusthall controlling
matters in midfield with Aldridge and Myhill winning plenty of the ball
distributing possession both left and right. On 58 minutes another attack down
the left saw Perkins interchange well with Ashmore before setting the ball back
for Myhill to cross towards Burren who was adjudged to have been fouled by the
Lydd centre-back and the referee awarded a penalty. Perkins stepped up and duly
dispatched the spot kick sending the keeper the wrong way. With a two goal
advantage Rusthall brought on Ian Balmer replacing Lester on 62 minutes and he
was soon in the game linking well with Millins down the right.
But similar to the first half, the goal seemed to spur on the home side and
Lydd began to dominate. After good work on the right, a high cross was not
dealt with by the Rustic defence and on 66 minutes the ball fell to a Lydd
player to slot home from 18 yeards with Hawkins writhing on the floor after a
collision with his team mate Coxon. The match was now end to end so in an
effort to tie the game up Rusthall brought on Owen and Andy Myles to replace
Aldridge and Burren respectively. This seemed to work as the midfield had some
more bite and fresh legs up front caused the already tired Lydd backline more
headaches. Rusthall sealed the game with a good move seeing Andy Myles feeding
Balmer who’s instant touch and shot pinged in off the near post making the
score 1-3 in Rusthall favour.
Saturday (Tomorrow) Rusthall are away against Samuel Montagu FC in the
Inter-regional Cup Challenge kick off 2pm.
Kent Intermediate Challenge Shield
Rusthall 6 Tenterden 0
For the first time this season Rusthall managed to register two wins in a row
with a commanding 6-0 victory against Division One West side Tenterden in the
Kent Intermediate Shield. The Rustics, with an unchanged starting line up, came
out of the blocks fast and soon took the lead after just 2 minutes when Martin
Millins crossed the ball for strike partner Dave Burren to glance home the ball
with ease. This wrote the script for the rest of the game and soon Rusthall had
doubled their lead when Burren turned provider and crossed low for Millins to
side foot unchallenged on the edge of the six yard box. The home team made it
3-0 on 10 minutes when another good cross from the right saw Burren attack the
ball and pure power made sure his header deflected off the keeper’s hands
creeping just inside the near post.
The rest of the half followed a similar pattern with Rusthall dominating
possession and although they eased up slightly Tenterden had no answer for the
movement of the Rusthall attack. Chances were a plenty with some of the best
falling to Steve Ashmore and Mark Lester but both failed to hit the target.
Opportunities were hard to come by for the away team mainly due to another
solid performance from the Rustic defence of Coxon, Smithers and Brown, who
forced the team from the lower division to shoot only from distance. Their best
chance of the half came on 34 minutes from a corner when Coxon diverted the
ball towards his own goal trying to repel the cross, fortunately goal keeper
Hawkins was alert enough to save smartly down to his left much to the relief of
his team mates.
In the second half Rusthall stepped up the tempo and were soon making inroads
down the flanks with Perkins timing his runs to perfection from midfield
resulting in the Tenderden defence consistently facing their own goal. Only the
final ball stopped the Rustics from increasing their 1st half lead and with the
game firmly under control wingbacks Ashmore and Lester were rested, on 60 minutes,
allowing the fresh legs of Balmer and Myles to add impetus to the Rusthall
attack. After some lengthy pressure in the Tenterden half, the ball fell to
Myhill on the edge of the box who finished with aplomb powering the ball past
the keeper into the bottom right-hand corner to make things 4-0 on 70 minutes.
The floodgates now opened with many more chances being created and Perkins who
previously had a glorious chance saved well by the Tenterden keeper again found
himself with the ball in the penalty area, this time the midfielder made no
mistake chipping over the on-rushing keeper.
With the game safely sewn up Brown was replaced on 80 minutes by the returning
Hassell who was relatively untested as was the Rusthall defence with Hawkins
only having to make one save of any note all game. There was just enough time
for Burren to complete his hat-trick and see Aldridge, who had worked
tirelessly all game, venture over the halfway line to meet a ball on the edge
of the area only to see it skew wildly of the outside of his boot. A good win
for the Rustics who are now into the last 16 of a cup competition they have
never won.
Rusthall 3 Milton Athletic 0
The Rustics continued their inconsistent season with a resounding 3-0 home
victory against Sittingbourne side Milton Athletic. With 1st team regulars Ian
Balmer, Phil Hassell and Andy Myles all unavailable managed Forbes and Brown
called upon Steve Ashmore, Colin Smithers and gave a 1st team debut to Ollie
Myhill. The match started at a furious pace with both sides looking to get in
behind each others backline by penetrating the flanks. Most of Rusthall’s best
play came as a result of pressurising from Perkins and Burren allowing Millins
to exploit the space in the corners and put in some good crosses but none
resulting in any clear cut chances.
The Rustics best chance in the 1st half came when Myhill won the ball in
midfield and threaded it through to Perkins who shot wide of the onrushing
keeper only to see the ball trickle by the outside of the post for a goal kick.
The Milton target man looked eager early on but sometimes over zealous and on
20 minutes was cautioned after a reckless challenge on Brown. As a result
Milton’s forays into the Rustic half decreased, the home team taking control
with Smithers, Brown and Coxon looking comfortable and the only danger coming
from the Milton left winger who managed to get the better of Lester a couple of
times to deliver useful ball into the Rusthall penalty area only to find no-one
attacking the ball, much to goalkeeper Hawkins relief. Milton’s other forward
showed a little more composure than his playing partner and caused problems by
dropping between the Rustic backline and the midfield, consequently on 37
minutes the cards were evened up when Coxon was forced to pull down the Milton
striker 35 yards from goal as he threatened to break away.
With the harder of the halves out of the way Rusthall began the second half
well and showed they had learnt from their lack of concentration after the
break, an issue that had been highlighted from previous games. This
concentrated effort was rewarded on 53 minutes when the ball switched from left
to right and found its way to Aldridge some 25 yards from goal. The player
unleashed a speculative shot and what seemed like a comfortable claim for the
Milton goalkeeper ended in the ball slipping through his grasp and nestling in
the back on the net.
This further spurred on the home team and soon they were on the attack again
with Ashmore beating the offside trap, bearing down on goal only to thrash the
ball wildly over to the disbelief of Millins who was square in support. Milton
made a substitution on 58 minutes replacing their left winger who had been
quiet since the break. Milton pushed for the equaliser but any pressure was dealt
with effortlessly by the Rustic defence assisted by superb kicking from
Hawkins. It was now Rusthall’s turn to make a change with Owen Myles introduced
on the right, with Lester switching to the middle and the goal scorer Aldridge
departing.
Myles was straight in the game and involved in what was the best move of the
match. The ball again started on the left with Ashmore playing the ball inside
to Myhill and onto Lester who fed Myles on the wing. The fresh substitute took
on the defender and slid the ball into the near post area which was met by a
sliding Lester, who had continued his run, his left-footed shot directed into
the top corner doubling the Rustics lead after 65 minutes.
The home side decided to close the game out and brought on Hunter for Millins
who had been unlucky to see his volley come off the outside of the post after a
good cross from Ashmore on the left. Milton again tried to come back into the
game by throwing on another forward but the Rustic defence stood firm with man
of the match Nick Coxon marshalling the rear guard. More holes appeared in the
Milton defence as they pushed forward and the ever running Perkins soon
exploited this by picking the ball up on the left, driving into the penalty
area only to be sandwiched by two defenders. Perkins promptly picked himself up
and dispatched the resulting penalty straight down the middle to put the game
out of reach with 5 minutes remaining.
A good result for the Rustics who will be looking to convert this form into
Saturday’s (Tomorrow) cup match against Tenderden.
Cray Valley 2 Rusthall 1
After last weeks convincing home victory the Rustics were on the road again and
looking for consistency by registering their first two wins on the spin this
season. This was not to be as the Rustics went down 2-1 to a lively Cray Valley
PM. Rusthall started brightly and applied early pressure on the Cray goal with
good chances falling to strikers Dave Burren and Martin Millins, but neither
were able to convert. On 18 minutes this pressure eventually told and when the
ball broke to Rob Brown on the edge of the area, a carefully placed shot found
the bottom corner giving Rusthall the lead. As the half went on Cray gradually
came into the game and with an extra man in midfield started to dominate. Only
through poor finishing from the Cray forward-line and fine keeping from Phil
Hawkins did the score stay at 0-1.
The second half started much the same as the first finished with Cray pushing
for an equaliser. They continuously got behind the Rustic defence with the ball
over the top and it was no surprise, on 55 minutes, when the match was levelled
following Rusthall’s failure to clear yet another long ball, the Cray forward
finishing with aplomb beating Hawkins at his near post from 6 yards. Cray continued
to press and only 5 minutes later failure to flick on a poor goal kick from
Hawkins resulted in another ball over the defence for the on-rushing forward to
take into the box and finish past the helpless Hawkins. A blatant off the ball
foul by a Cray player went unseen by both Referee and his assistant but whether
the defender would have affected the Cray goal scorer was unclear.
Now chasing the game Rusthall made a substitution with new signing Lee Aldridge
coming on for Stuart Hunter in the 63rd minute. Aldridge had an immediate
impact and made several good runs down the left hand side managing to win
free-kicks around the Cray penalty area but none of these lead to clear chances
for the Rusthall forwards. With only 10 minutes left and in search of another
goal Rusthall threw on a third striker Andy Myles replacing his brother Owen.
This made their play more direct and possibly should have reverted to this
tactic earlier as it brought immediate results with a free header from Robert
Perkins, after a cross by Millins, kept out by the otherwise untested Cray
keeper. There was still enough time for Hawkins to make a brilliant one-on-one
save from the Cray winger and for Burren to see a clear opening blazed over
from just inside the box.
Rusthall entertain Milton Althetic tomorrow (Saturday) and will look to bounce
back from this disappointing defeat to ensure their inconsistency continues.
Rusthall 3 Old Roan 0
After losing last week the Rusthall management team demanded a meaner defense
and more clinical finishing and that was exactly what they got.
Rob Perkins scored his first of the season in the opening minutes, robbing the
slow starting Roan centre back and racing through to plant the ball neatly
around the keeper. Roan could not handle the high tempo Rusthall set and other
chances were soon to follow, Balmer being particularly effective on the right,
and the reinstated centre back pairing of Coxon and Hassell looking comfortable
at the back. Rusthalls top scorer Burren continued his fine form and scored his
first after 25 minutes when put through by Perkins, Roans best chance was soon
to follow a long range shot just clearing Phil Hawkins far post.
In the second half Rusthall kept the pressure on and Burren scored his second
curling the ball around the keeper when slotted in by Brown. Unfortunately
frustration got the better of the Roan midfield and a player was dismissed for
a second yellow with 20 mins to go. This effectively ended the contest and the
Rustics played out the last minutes with a few attacks but plenty of
possession.
Rusthall 1 Faversham Town 3
Rusthall came away with nothing from a game that they deserved something from.
Leading 1-0 through a Dave Burren goal, the Rustics where unlucky not to double
their lead when Dave Burren hit the bar on 37 minutes. This was the turning
point in the match, with Faversham going straight up the other end and scoring
a fortunate equaliser. Faversham started the second half the better and took
the lead when their left winger slotted home. The winger who was the only
difference between the sides finished off a superb move to make it 3-1 on 60
minutes. However the last 30 minutes was all the Rustics, and had it not been
for a man of the match performance from the Faversham keeper, the rustics would
have come away with a point.
Fleet Leisure 3 Rusthall 4
Rusthall’s Jekyll and Hyde season continued with a fine performance away at
Fleet Leisure following last weeks disappointment at Norton Sports.
The Rustics started slowly and where punished as early as the fifth minute when
the Fleet left winger looking suspiciously offside crossed to leave their
centre forward with a simple tap in. This led to Fleet’s best period of the
match. Some good attacking play combined with some poor defending led to another
two chances, which on another day they might have converted. Rusthall’s cause
was not helped by some indifferent lining, where three clear offsides where
missed putting the Rustics defence under pressure.
On 13 minutes Andy Myles was unlucky not to bring the Rustics level when his
shot cannoned off the bar from 30 yards. However, the game turned in the 18th
minute, Rusthall where awarded a free kick 25 yards outside the Fleet goal and
Phil Hassell’s kick took a wicked deflection passed the Fleet goalkeeper to
level the score.
From this point on the Rustics began to dominate and on 35 minutes they took
the lead. A corner from the left by Perkins was met by Smithers. His header hit
the hand of a Fleet defender and the referee awarded a penalty which Burren
converted. Two minutes later a repeat of the penalty incident occurred, only
this time with a far more blatant handball this time going unpunished. As the
half progress Fleet pushed forward for an equaliser, but the Rustics defence
held firm.
Rusthall started the second half the better and increased their lead on 52
minutes when another Perkins corner was again played back across the box by
Smithers for Ian Balmer to comfortably tap home for 3-1. However, Rusthall made
the fatal error of relaxing just after they had scored and good work again by
the Fleet left winger saw Hawkins in the Rusthall goal unable to deal with a
cross leaving the Fleet forward a simple tap in.
The Rusthall front two of Myles and Burren always looked dangerous and it was
Burren who restored the Rustics two goal advantage on 67 minutes when Perkins
played a perfect ball into his path for the big forward to place a neat shot
into the bottom right hand corner of the net. Again however Rusthall did not
learn from their previous mistake and within 2 minutes Fleet had reduced the
lead to 4-3. A long ball into the box from the Fleet right was not dealt with
and again the forward had a simple tap in.
On 80 minutes Rusthall had the opportunity to make the game safe. The recalled
Stuart Hunter dribbled passed three players into the box, cut back onto his
left foot and was just about to shoot towards goal, when the Fleet defender
took his legs away. Burren stepped up to complete his hatrick, but the
goalkeeper produced a good save to his right to keep the score at 4-3. Late on
Ashmore replaced Kay and Coxon replaced Smithers as Rusthall comfortably played
out the final minutes.
This week high flying Faversham Town visit Jockey Farm in what promises to be
an exiting encounter kick off 2.45pm.
Norton Sports 1 Rusthall 0
In a game which can be best described as non eventful Rusthall slumped to a
poor away defeat perhaps guilty of believing their own press written here last
week!.
Rusthall began well, playing neat incisive football and putting the ball in
some dangerous areas but when Norton responded by playing a more direct and
physical game the Rustics buckled. It took a fine finish to separate the teams
a 20yard half volley which left Rustic keeper Hawkins with little chance and soon
later Norton also missed a good headed chance after good wing work on the left.
A kick up the backside at half time riled the Rustics into a much better second
half performance, but for all the huffing and puffing Nortons keeper was rarely
troubled, though Burren really should have equalised in the last five minutes,
when after a fine turn in the six yard box with only the keeper to beat he
scuffed the ball into the thankful keepers arms. In the last minute Norton
broke through one on one and Phil Hawkins denied the Norton forward with a fine
save with his legs, and the rustics came home, with basically what they
deserved....nothing
Rusthall 5 Sheerness East 3
Rusthall appear to have found their feet in the Premier Division with a
convincing win over Sheerness East. The scoreline of 5-3 does not reflect the
Rustics dominance as they raced into a 4-0 lead after 65 minutes.
The Rustics had the better of early exchanges and should have taken the lead as
early as the 5th minute, when Burren just failed to reach a Millins cross.
However they did not have to wait long for the first goal, when Colin Smithers
scored his first goal for the club in 10 seasons following a fine cross from
Steve Ashmore on 12 minutes.
Sheerness then had a period of pressure and created two chances that they will
be disappointed not to have capitalised on. Firstly a deep cross to the far
post just eluded the on rushing forward and then from a corner their centre
half was unable to finish when presented with a good chance.
At the other end Ian Balmer created a chance for himself following good work
from Rob Perkins, forcing the goalkeeper into a fine save. On 42 minutes the
Rustics where unlucky not to double their advantage when Burren cut in from the
left and curled a shot against the post, with Millins just unable to reach the
rebound.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first, with the Rustics
dominating affairs, with Hassell and the returning Owen Myles marshalling the
defence well. On 50 minutes Rusthall increased their lead when Ashmore’s corner
was met with a firm header from Millins. The Rustics visibly grew in confidence
from this and on 57 minutes produced the move of the match. Good inter change
play between Millins, Lester and Ashmore, led to the ball finding Perkins out
wide. His pinpoint cross was cleverly steered home by Balmer from 20 yards to
make it 3-0. On 60 minutes, Burren met Perkins Corner to head home 4-0 .
This led to Rusthall introducing 3 substitutes and as a consequence losing some
of their shape. Sheerness responded well scoring a fine goal from outside the
box and further reducing the deficit with a scrambled goal following a good
save from Hawkins. Rusthall kept pressing forward well and on 78 minutes
Millins and Perkins combined to set up Andy Myles to make it 5-2.
To their credit Sheerness failed to give up and came at the Rustics again
making it 5-3 on 83 minutes following a long kick that caught the Rustic
defence napping. The win leaves Rusthall well-placed 6th in the table, having
played the top three in the division. Next week they face a tough trip away to
Norton Sports.
Old Roan 1 Rusthall 1
The Rustics travelled to league leaders Old Roan and can consider themselves
unfortunate not to have come away with all three points. As early as the 5th
minute Rusthall had the Roan keeper scrambling, Millins getting in behind the
defence and drilling the ball across the face of the goal which Burren couldn’t
quite reach. The opening goal was a towering header from Matt Kay at the back post
after a fine move and cross by Burren. Old Roan reacted and had their best
period of the match coming close with breakaways, and it was after one of these
that Roan earned a corner which resulted in the equaliser, another back post
header.
In the second half the Rustics started playing very well and controlled much of
the proceedings, carving out good chances only to be thwarted by good and brave
goalkeeping, the best save coming from the dangerous Burren when he shot low
across the face of goal. At the other end Hassell back from injury marshalled a
solid defence, and the one time in the second half Roan did break through
Hawkins produced a magnificent save when one on one. The Rustics kept pressing
for a winner but Roan held firm and were the happier team with the draw.
Rusthall 0 Lewisham 2
Rusthalls inability to score coupled with defensive errors led to the rustics
second defeat in a row. No one could deny that Lewisham were worthy winners,
generally controlling possession and breaking with great pace when the
opportunity arose, and finishing the two chances offered - clinically.
Lewisham scored their first within the first ten mins when Rusthall were caught
flatfooted against the speedy forward who rounded two Rusthall players and then
curled the ball around the stranded Hawkins in goal. Rusthall rallied and were
denied three times the first and best a close range header from Ashmore which
the keeper saved acrobatically and then pounced on the rebound, Matt Kay also
came close with a header which flashed wide of the post.
Both teams huffed and puffed for the rest of the half without either creating
any effort worthy of a save.
The second half served up similar fare, Lewisham breaking with pace and
Rusthall breaking up their play, Lewishams second was a neat drilled shot when
the ball was failed to be cleared after a free kick on about 70 mins this
basically sealed the game and although Rusthall chased for a consolation
Lewisham held comfortably firm.
RUSTHALL SUFFER FIRST DEFEAT
Rusthall 1 Lydd Town 2 (half time 1-0)
attendance 65
A physical Lydd Town side inflicted Rusthall’s first league defeat despite the
Rustics dominating for long periods of the game. The first half was one way
traffic with Rusthall camped in the Lydd half for long periods but poor
finishing saw them only 1-0 ahead at half time. The goal came on 41 minutes,
Martin Millins worked space on the right to get in a cross that Steve Ashmore
met and his glancing header gave Craig Smith in the Lydd goal no chance.
Despite constant pressure the Rustics were unable to increase the lead and this
was to cost them dear in the 2nd half. Within 2 minutes of the start of the 2nd
half Lydd stunned the home side with an equaliser, left back Stuart Hunter was
adjudged to have tripped winger George Taylor. The free kick was diven in and
Rusthall keeper Phil Hawkins punched the ball clear but the on rushing Liam
Smith drilled the ball home. Rusthall should have regained the lead on 54
minutes, Millins was 1 on 1 with the Lydd keeper who saved bravely at his feet.
On the hour great play down the right again by Millins created a chance for
fellow striker Andy Myles but he could not keep his volley under the bar. But
within 2 minutes the Rustics went behind, the usually reliable defence twice
failed to clear and Scott Wilkinson gave Hawkins no chance with a shot from the
edge of the box.
A fine individual run and shot from Ian Balmer curled just wide on 64 minutes
and on 75 minutes Steve Ashmore shot over. On 79 minutes Rusthall’s Matt Kay was
floored by what looked like a forearm smash, but amazingly the referee made him
leave the field to receive treatment as in his words “no foul had been
committed”.
Saturday 20th August 2005
BRITISH ENERGY KENT COUNTY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
Rusthall 2 Snodland 0 (half time 0-0)
attendance: 114
Despite being without several first choice players the Rustics continued their
impressive start to life in the premier division with a hard fought win against
a battling Snodland side that included former Tonbridge Angel Gene Clout. With
Phil Hassell still missing through injury and his natural replacement at
sweeper, Joint Manager Robbie Brown on holiday, manager Robbie Forbes played
Mark Lester at the back and this proved a decisive move as Lester was outstanding
throughout and picked up the man of the match award.
The first half was a dogged affair with neither side creating any clear cut
chances, home keeper Phil Hawkins, the hero from last week, was only called
upon to make one save of note in the first half. Playing down the slope in the
2nd half, Snodland started to put the Rustics under more pressure but, Lester
and centre half Nick Coxon were generally in control. Rusthall introduced Del
Duffield and Ian Yeates in a bid to control the midfield and as the game went
on it looked destined to finish at 0-0. But on 86 minutes a moment of magic
from inspirational skipper Rob Perkins down the left resulted in Andy Myles
slotting home from close range. Snodland went in search of a deserved equaliser
but were caught by the classic counter attack on 90 minutes. It took just 3
touches from the edge of the Rusthall box to the back of the Snodland net. The
ball was cleared first time and the pace of Martin Millins gave the defenders
no chance and he calmly slid the ball under the advancing keeper to ensure the
3points and Rusthall’s first ever win at this level.
Lydd Town are the visitors to Jockey Farm on Saturday and Robbie Forbes will
have last seasons leading scorer Dave Burren back from holiday and will also
welcome back Ian Balmer. He will also he hoping that Phil Hassell will be back
from injury though Justin Cole’s shoulder injury will again keep him out
RUSTICS BATTLE TO EARN POINT IN PREMIER DIVISION DEBUT.
STANSFELD(OB) CLUB 2 RUSTHALL 2 (HALF TIME 1-2)
An amazing goal line block by joint manager Robbie Brown in the 2nd minute of
added time ensured Rusthall came away with a point in their first ever game in
the Premier Division of the British Energy Kent County League.
Stansfeld started the game at a tremendous pace and several of the young
Rusthall side looked overawed by the step up in class, goal keeper Phil Hawkins
was called on twice in the first 10 minutes to make excellent saves, but it was
no surprise when Stansfeld went ahead on 15 minutes. Following a great build up
down the right the home winger got in a drilled cross that Nick Coxon tried to
cut out, but his header went in off the post for an unfortunate own goal. This
early setback seemed to strangely settle some of the Rusthall nerves and they
began to play some of the football that won them promotion, captain Robert
Perkins led by example, with debutant Matt Kay also looking slick in midfield.
On 37 minutes the Rustics drew level following a surging run from Perkins who
was challenged in the box and the ball fell to Martin Millins who calmly
slotted home from 10 yards. Nick Coxon was cautioned on 39 minutes for pulling
back an attacker and then on 43 minutes Rusthall stunned the home side by
taking a surprise lead. Following a foul outside the area Any Myles curled the
ball around the defensive wall and low to the keepers right, the home keeper
injured a hand trying to keep the ball out and was replaced at half time.
Rusthall started the 2nd period brightly and for a while looked the better side
but were guilty of sloppy defending on 58 minutes when they allowed the home
centre half to run unchallenged from 40 yards out into the box and calmly
slotting the ball past Hawkins to level the score at 2-2. Both sides went
looking for the winner, but it was not until that amazing block in stoppage
time that either goal was seriously threatened. Rusthall can take a lot of
credit from this draw at a side that finished 5th last season. Joint manager
Robbie Forbes will be glad to get defender Phil Hassell back from holiday and
with striker Dave Burren also away the season looks bright for the Rustics.
Next week they entertain Snodland at Jockey Farm with a 2.45 kick off.
Rusthall: Hawkins, Smithers, Coxon, Brown, Hunter (Austin), Balmer (Lester), Perkins,
Kay, Ashmore, Millins, Myles (Yeates).
This week Rusthall agreed a sponsorship package with Flo Print of Langton to
produce the clubs match day programmes and monthly magazines, and also were
awarded a £500 grant from the Royal Mail Sports Foundation to purchase kit and
equipment.
Rusthall 1 Hollands & Blair 1
Considering the number of players missing on Saturday, managers Forbes &
Brown where pleased with the performance against a good Hollands & Blair
outfit. Andrew Myles scored the Rusthall goal on 50 minutes. A report will
appear here (PM)
Rusthall 4 East Grinstead 0
Rusthall entertained Sussex County Division 2 side East Grinstead on Wednesday
night and scored a convincing 4-0 win. Missing regulars Coxon, Hassell, Brown
and with Burren, Perkins and Austin on the bench Rusthall started with a vastly
different side to the team that had had so much success last year. In came new
signing Matt Kay for his first start, with Paul Ringshall filling the sweepers
role vacated by Hassell, Lester coming in for Brown and Millins and Myles
starting up front.
The game started positively for Rusthall and new signing Kay, who made an
immediate impact on his full debut, when he converted a flowing team move by
drilling the ball home to put the Rustics 1-0 up after 5 minutes. Kay was
pulling all the strings for the Rustics, his good ball retention and accurate
passing enabled both full backs and wide midfield players to see a lot of the
ball. Lester was putting himself about in the middle, closing down and using
the ball simply when in possession. Ashmore and Hunter where linking up well
down the left side and it was from this area that the second goal was created
on 25 minutes, good work between Myles and Ashmore saw the East Grinstead
defender turn the ball into his own net to put Rusthall 2-0.
In the Second half Perkins replaced Lester, and Perkins was to be involved in
Rusthall’s third goal on 50 minutes, when he laid in Millins who in turn played
a nice ball into Balmer’s path, who finished well at the near post. Austin and
Burren replaced Balmer and Ashmore on 55 minutes.
The goal of the game came on 65 minutes when Millins instead of his usually
dink lashed the ball home from fully 30 yards, with the ball flying past the
despairing keeper into the roof of the net. Rusthall continued to press and
further chances went begging to Perkins and Myles. The defence by in large
coped easily with anything that a disappointing East Grinstead threw at them,
with Hawkins only making one save of any note when he touched a fine shot onto
the post. The Rustics next game is a tough affair against Hollands & Blair
on Saturday who like the Rustics try and play the ball around on the ground.
Managers Forbes and Brown squad will be down to the bear bones for this game
due to a stage week robbing them of 4 players and injuries to three others;
however it is envisaged that we will still be able to field a strong side.
Bridon Ropes 1 Rusthall 1
The Rustics travelled to Charlton for their second friendly of the season. With
Coxon and Hunter missing from the back four and with Myles having moved away,
only Hassell remained from last years successful unit.
Due to the late kick off the game was played on a pitch set up for youth
football, small and narrow. This would provide the Rustics with a different
type of test and would restrict their ability to play their flowing football.
The referee had decided to play the game without linesman, and this was to
cause problems for both sides as offside where missed and more important the
defences where unsettled. The game started well for the Rustics with Andy Myles
providing a clinical finish after only 2 minutes to put Rusthall in front. As
always Bridon’s centre forward looked a threat, with his movement, control and
pace causing the new look defence problems. Bridon controlled the next 20
minutes of the game and were unlucky not to equalise, their best chance falling
to Smithers who thundered a header against his own bar with Hawkins beaten.
On 30th minutes Matt replaced Perkins and his physical presence made an
immediate impact. Although lacking match practice, he held the ball well and
began to link the Rustics play more.
Rusthall made personnel and positional changes in the second half and this led
to them having the better of the play. Chances fell to Myles who hit the post
with a fine right foot shot and twice to Ashmore, who should have scored with a
header when arriving in the box late and then just before the end forcing a
good save out of the Bridon keeper.
In the end a draw was a fair result, the game was a good physical run out for
Rusthall with the management able to look at new players and existing players
in new positions.
Rusthall 5 Sevenoaks Town 2
A strong kent league Sevenoaks side travelled to Rusthall for a friendly and
got a bit of a surprise, as they found a buoyant Rustic team a force to contend
with.
The game was played over 30 minute thirds and started evenly with both sides
weighing the other up, an outstanding save was made by Rustic keeper Phil Hawkins
early on when Wayne Balmer curled a free kick towards the top corner , but it
was the Rustics who scored first on the counter attack Perkins slotting home
after being put through against the keeper. Sevenoaks regained parity soon
after, getting in behind the rustic left and the crossed ball being stroked
calmly home.
In the second third Rusthall began to control proceedings, creating chances
forged on the bylines as Sevenoaks wingbacks struggled to cope, so it was no
surprise that the second Rusthall goal came from good work out wide from Burren
and the impressive Andy Myles pushed the ball under the onrushing keeper to
take a deserved lead. Sevenoaks came close to equalising but were again foiled
by Hawkins who somehow managed to regain a lost ball after a good effort, and
the Rustic defence as ever marshalled by Hassell looked comfortable even though
it had new personnel, full backs Justin Coles and Steve Ashmore..
Both teams were switched around with many subs but this seemed mostly to
Sevenoaks disadvantage, as in the last third Rusthall scored three, Millins
with a delightful chip over the keeper,Perkins with the goal of the game an
unlikely far post stooping header after Ronaldburreno, produced some exquisite
skill in the corner and floated across the perfect ball and then Burren with a
goal of his own coolly finishing after robbing a despairing defender, there was
time for one more goal, a consolation for sevenoaks after some sloppy Rustic
defending allowed a forward to beat Hawkins one on one .
