1st Team Match Reports 07

Rusthall Football Club

 

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BRITISHENERGY KENT COUNTY LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION
Saturday 24th March 2007

Stansfeld (O&B) Club 0 Rusthall 0      attendance:53

A depleted Rusthall side put in an heroic defensive performance and were more than happy to return from Greenwich with a point.

Just a month after the abandoned game at Jockey Farm, the League have yet to make a decision on that game, Rusthall were without 6 regular players for this game but a man of the match performance from keeper Phil Hawkins and some superb performances from the defenders kept Stansfeld out for 90 minutes. There were two changes from last weeks excellent win at Cray Valley, Colin Smithers came in for the suspended Nick Coxon for his first start of the season and Mark Lester started in midfield with Ryan Sands not available.

On an excellent playing surface the home side took the game to the Rustics from the kick off and it soon became apparent that the defenders were in for a busy afternoon. In a one sided first half Rusthall keeper Phil Hawkins made three superb saves one of which even drew applause from the Stansfeld supporters, Rusthall were just not able to gain any control in midfield and this allowed the home side to put the defence under almost constant pressure. When Stansfeld did find a way past Hawkins, stand in right back Martin Millins was on hand to calmly back heel the ball off of the line as he raced to cover his keeper and the Rustics somehow managed to go in at the interval still on level terms.

The second half started much the same as the first and in the first 10 minutes the home side were guilty of wasting 3 guilt edged chances, they did find the net on 62 minutes, but the referee spotted that it had been guided in by the players hand. As the game went on the home  side were becoming more and more frustrated at their inability to break the deadlock and had four players cautioned and their manager sent from the dug out.

After a game of almost constant defending Rusthall so nearly snatched a winner on 87 minutes but Dave Burren was unable to find a finish after breaking clear of his defender. At the final whistle there was huge relief that they had got something out of this difficult game against a very intimidating and physical team.

The Rustics are without a game on Saturday, their next fixture is at home to Hollands & Blair on Easter Saturday (7th April) when they hope to unveil their newly appointed manager. This is followed on Easter Monday with a trip to play Lewisham Borough.

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BRITISHENERGY KENT COUNTY LEAGUE - PREMIER DIVISION
Cray Valley PM 0 Rusthall 1 (half time 0-1) attendance: 41
17th March 2007

Despite being without five first choice players for this difficult away game the Rustics produced their best all round performance of a difficult season and came away with all three points.

With both natural right backs missing Rusthall played the experienced Martin Millins in that position and he put in a superb performance, indeed the whole back four were outstanding to the extent that keeper Phil Hawkins was not called upon to make one serious save in the whole of the game.

On a bumpy surface both teams to their credit tried to play football but they were not helped by a very strong wind blowing up the slope, kicking down hill in the first half the Rustics battled to control the midfield and take the game to the home side. With the runs of Dave Burren and Robbie Perkins causing the Cray Valley defence problems Rusthall nearly took an early lead, John Penny spotted a gap in the home defence and his jinking run and low drive was superbly turned around the post by the Cray keeper showing just why he is the current Kent County League Rep sides keeper. As the half went on the home side were enjoying more possession but were unable to create an opening with Rusthall comfortably coping with everything that Cray threw at them. On 44 minutes the Rustics took the lead, from a long clearance the home centre half and keeper failed to call and Robbie Perkins nipped in to guide the ball past them both and into an empty net. Rusthall went in at half time deservedly leading and looking full of confidence, something that has been lacking in recent weeks.

With Cray getting more and more frustrated at not breaking down Rusthall's well organised back four they made a couple of early substitutions in the second half but it was the visitors who came closest to scoring. First youngster Ryan Sands saw his effort well saved by the keeper before a volley from Steve Ashmore was somehow tipped over by the Cray keeper, if the save had been televised the pundits would have been raving about it !. In the final ten minutes Cray through everything at the visitors but could just not find a way through, Rusthall replaced a tired Ryan Sands in the closing minutes with Mark Lester, Sands who was playing third team football until recently covered very blade of grass on the pitch.

On the final whistle there was jubilation from Rusthall on a superb all round team performance, from the excellent defence to the tireless four man midfield who ran and battled for everything up to the front two who were a threat to the home side for the whole game.

This superb performance was watched by one of the potential managers being interviewed this week for the Managers job which is being vacated at the end of the season by Robbie Forbes. He was very impressed with what he saw and found it hard to believe that so many first choice players were missing. As well as his interview the Rustics are interviewing another two candidates this week and will hope to announce an appointment in time for the new manager to get involved with the side in some of the remaining games this season.

The Rustics are away again this week when they travel to Greenwich to play Stansfeld hoping that the game goes more smoothly than the home game against them recently.

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BRITISH ENERGY KENT COUNTY LEAGUE - PREMIER DIVISION
Saturday 10th March 2007

Rusthall1 Holmesdale 2 (half time 0-1)    attendance: 59

Rusthall's season of misfortune continued on Saturday when high flying Holmesdale scored a winning goal in the 97th minute in a second half of very few stoppages.

The Rustics went into this game without their captain Dave Burren who was away with his work and Ian Balmer who was not available, manager Robbie Forbes kept faith with youngster Ryan Sands, with leading scorer John Penny partnering Robbie Perkins up front.

Holmesdale, promoted as Division One West Champions last season, started the game well and put Rusthall under early pressure with their flowing football on a surface that was in surprisingly good condition given the recent wet weather. It was no surprise when the visitors went ahead in the 19th minute, although it to was controversial, a long throw from the left was taken some 10 yards forward from where the ball went out and the referee blew, but instead of awarding the throw to Rusthall he allowed the same player to take it from the correct place. From the second throw in Rusthall failed to clear and the ball fell to Holmesdale's superb striker Tom Creasey who made no mistake from close range. Rusthall then lost full back Stuart Gray with a stomach injury and he was replaced by Steve Ashmore returning after missing the last three games. The visitors continued to have more of the play and were guilty of missing several good chances, the Rustics were finding chances hard to create and failed to test Jean-Paul Brown in the Holmesdale goal. The sides went in at the interval with the score somehow still at 0-1, much to the annoyance of the Holmesdale management team who felt they should have sewn the game up in the first half.

Whatever was said in the Rusthall dressing room at half time had the desired effect as they started the second period looking a totally different side, it was their turn to play flowing football as they went in search of an equaliser. With their midfield of Millins, Myles, Lester and Sands were winning a lot more of the ball they were  putting Holmesdale under pressure with the pace of Perkins and Penny causing the visitors problems. The pressure paid off in the 61st minute, following another good build up down the left, the cross was met by Lester and his glancing header went in at the far corner. The Rustics were now in control and looked more likely to take all three points as the visitors struggled to contain the constant attacks. Rusthall replaced the tiring Lester with Nick Smith and within a few minutes of coming on he nearly gave the home side the lead, his superb curling free kick was heading for the top right hand corner when Brown somehow managed to get a hand to the ball and push it round the post at full stretch. With time running out Martin Millins was replaced by manager Robbie Forbes and it looked as though the game was going to finish all square but with the crowd all looking at their watches in disbelief as the referee kept playing Holmesdale broke away and the ball was crossed from the right and ? dived in to head home past Phil Hawkins. As soon as Rusthall kicked off Mr Greenhead from Bexleyheath  blew the final whistle, the game finished at 17 minutes to 5 when a 2.45 kick off should finish at 4.30, when asked where all the stoppage time had come from one of the referee's assistants claimed that the referee had only added 2 minutes, one would hope that he puts a new watch at the top of his Christmas pressie list this year.

Rusthall now face two difficult away games at Cray Valley and Stansfeld and must be hoping for a change of luck.

Interviews for the new manager start this week with the club having received several applications from all over the county, it is pleasing to see that the club can create such interest, it seems the clubs ambitions have been noticed in the Kent football scene.

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BRITISH ENERGY KENT COUNTY LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION
17^th February 2007

RUSTHALL 2 STANSFELD OB CLUB 1

Half time: 1-0                        attendance: 92

This Premier Division clash ended in drama followingRusthall's 88th minute winner from Rob Perkins and the sending off of two Stansfeld players in the 87th minute indeed, the game saw 4 sending offs and a penalty.

Rusthall were without Phil Hassell and Nick Smith and gave afirst start to youngster Ryan Sands a product of the clubs youth policy and welcomed back Alan Chapman after a long lay off and he took a place on the bench. The Rustics started well and put their South London visitors under pressure from the start with their 4 man midfield of Ian Balmer, Owen Myles, John Penny and Ryan Sands controlling the game. The early pressure paid off when they took the lead on 19 minutes, following a flowing move down the right, the ball was crossed in and when the ball fell to Sands some 12 yards out he calmly drilled the ball towards Ian Balmer who applied the faintest of flicks to put Rusthall in the lead. The Rustics had further chances to increase their lead but as in previous weeks they lacked the killer touch in front of goal. Towards the end of the first half Stansfeld came into the game but found the home defence in fine form and keeper Phil Hawkins was rarely tested.

The second half started with Stansfeld looking a totallydifferent side as they took the game to Rusthall, the Rustics held firm from this onslaught until the 62nd minute when centre half Nick Coxon was adjudged to have brought down the Stansfeld number 10 just inside the area, the referee pointed straight to the penalty spot and showed a red card to Coxon as he was the last defender. The Stansfeld number 2 made no mistake from the spot as he smashed it straight down the middle giving Hawkins no chance. Rusthall were forced to reshape their side and brought on Chapman and Steve Ashmore to try and stop the Stansfeld attacks as they went searching for a winner.

Rusthall had a chance on 71 minutes to go back into the leadwhen fine inter play between Perkins and Burren put Balmer in, his well place shot from outside the area produced a fine save from the goalkeeper. Phil Hawkins then made two fine saves to keep the scores level and the visitor’s frustration at not getting in front became apparent which resulted in them having a player sent off in the 81st minute for foul and abusive language aimed straight at the referee. . Even with 10 men Stansfeld continued to push for the winner but became more and more frustrated and on 87 minutes they were reduced to 8 men, Rusthall midfielder Steve Ashmore was floored by a 2 footed tackle which earned a straight red card and as he lay on the floor another Stansfeld player deliberately kicked the ball between his legs from 3 yards to earn another straight red. When play restarted Rusthall took a quick free kick and the ball fell to Dave Burren who’s effort was well saved by the Stansfeld keeper but Perkins was on hand to tap home from close range to earn Rusthall their first victory of 2007. Next week the Rustics take on Snodland at home 2.45 kick off.

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BRITISH ENERGY KENT COUNTY LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION

3^rd February 2007

Rusthall 1 Old Roan 1

half time 1-0                     attendance: 62

Rusthall's inability to kill off teams when they are well on top came back to haunt them again on Saturday when an average Old Roan side snatched a second half equaliser when Rusthall had dominated for most of the game.

Rusthall, fielding an unchanged side for just the 2nd time this season started well and took the game to their South London visitors who they had already beaten 2-0 away earlier in the season. Folowing last weeks great performance against Norton Sports, The Rustics looked full of confidence and tested the Old Roan keeper from the start and took a deserved lead on 19 minutes. Rob Perkins was set free and, despite a great save at his feet by the visiting keeper, the ball fell to Dave Burren to slot home from close range. The home side looked to be in total control from this point but, as often been the problem this season they could not convert their pressure into further goals.

Early in the second half Rusthall had another couple of great chances to increase their lead but their shot shy strikers seemed reluctant to pull the trigger, instead looking for aother pass. Then on the hour Old Roan caught them on the break and scored a well taken equaliser much to amazement of the home crowd.

Rusthall then brought on Ian Balmer for his first appearance since October after injury and he looked confident on the ball as Rusthall continued to take the game to the visitors. Rusthall also introduced Ben Evans and Mark Lester but could not break down the stubborn Old Roan rear guard.

Indeed, in the closing minutes Old Roan were unlucky not to grab a winner but found Phil Hawkins in fine form.

The Rustics now have 2 weeks without a game before they welcome Snodland to Jockey Farm on Saturday 24th February, kick off 2.45pm.

Rusthall have signed a sponsorship deal with Ryans Pub, Southborough, the popular Southborough Irish bar are supplying tracksuit tops to the squad and coaching staff.

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BRITISH ENERGY KENT COUNTY LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION
Saturday 27^th January 2007

Rusthall 1 Norton Sports 1

Half time 1-0                     attendance: 89

Rusthall ended a run of three consecutive defeats with a superb performance against the divisions form team who are currently second in the table. On a surprisingly good surface after the recent bad weather both sides set out to play passing football from the first whistle.

The Rusthall management team made some subtle changes to their formation and this had an instant effect with Rusthall looking much more confident as they enjoyed the better of the midfield in the opening exchanges. John Penny playing wide on the right of midfield was causing problems for the visitors with his pace and Dave Burren seemed to thrive on the added responsibility of captaining the side as he twice went close in the opening 10 minutes. The Rustics deservedly went ahead after 14 minutes when, after a fine passing move Penny superbly fired home from just inside the box.

This seemed to spur on the visitors who gradually got into the game   but found it hard to break down the home sides defence with  centre half Nick Coxon in superb form and when they did get in behind the back four they found keeper Phil Hawkins in superb form. Cheered on by a good size crowd Rusthall looked a totally different side to the one that had struggled so badly since Christmas with Nick Smith and Owen Myles looking very good together in the middle of midfield and full backs Stuart Gray and Stuart Hunter getting forward at every opportunity. The home side were unlucky not to double their lead on the stroke of half time but found the Norton keeper in difficult to beat.

The second half started fairly equal but as the game wore on the visitors looked to be gaining control of the midfield and were starting to create chances and Rusthall were not helped when they lost Dave Burren through injury. He was replaced by 20 year old Mark Cox who was given his chance after scoring regularly for the clubs other sides since signing at the start of the season. Norton equalised on 74 minutes with a scrappy goal after the Rustics failed to clear and a Norton player bundled the ball home from close range. Ian Ward and Kris Browning were both brought on but could not stop the visitors who were well on top and looking for a winner. Rusthall had a lucky escape when a thunderous shot from fully 30 yards hit the bar and had keeper Phil Hawkins to thank for holding on to a point when he made 2 superb saves in the closing minutes.

Rusthall will look to build on this result and halt their slide down the table after such a promising start to the season, there is still a lot to play for and the moral of the squad is still very good.

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BRITISH ENERGY KENT COUNTY LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION
Saturday 13^th January 2007

Bromley Green 6 Rusthall 0

Rusthall suffered their worst defeat in 5 years in wet and windy Ashford on Saturday against the current league leaders. With Hassell returning manager Forbes was able to field a stronger side than the previous week against Sheerness, but with key players still missing from the starting 11.

This is not to excuse the Rusthall performance, where they were outplayed, out battled and out thought by a well organised Bromley side. Rusthall started the match reasonably well and matched Bromley for the opening 20 minutes, although Bromley had the clearer chances, the best chance fell to Burren who cut inside and forced the goal keeper to make a fine save to his left on 15 minutes.

However as had been the case the previous week, Rusthall where to cause their own downfall, first they missed an opportunity to clear the ball and then a missed tackle let the Bromley Green forward in to make it 1-0 on 25 minutes. This soon became 2-0 when the Bromley Green forward converted despite clearly being in an offside position. With the Rustics struggling to put two passes together, Bromley pushed on and on 40 minutes killed the game off, when hesitation in the Rusthall defence allowed the forward to pounce and tuck the ball under an on rushing Hawkins.

Some stern words at half time and substitutes Myles, Ashmore and Gray, replacing Coxon, Browning and the injured Millins raised Rusthall’s performance in the second half. They started to put some moves together; Burren who was the Rustics most committed and effective player on the day was unlucky not to pull a goal back on 60 minutes, when his shot from close range was turned away by the keeper. However as the Rustics pushed forward to try and gain something out of the match, they left themselves exposed at the back, which led to them conceding 3 goals in the last quarter of the match.

Rusthall face their third difficult away game in a row next week against Hollands & Blair who are in a false league position with Forbes looking for some character from the majority of his side to put this humiliating defeat behind them.

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Saturday 6^th January 2007

Sheerness 3 Rusthall 2

On a heavy pitch in rainy Sheerness, Rusthall were unlucky not to come away with a point at least on Saturday. Missing 5 influential players for one reason or another Rusthall start sluggish, with Sheerness showing considerably more commitment early on resulting in them winning the majority of the 50/50 tackles and using the ball much better.

However it was Rusthall who had the first chance of the match, when a deep cross from Millins on the left was met well by Coxon, forcing the keeper to spring to his left and turn the ball around for a corner. From the resulting corner the ball fell to Penny and after some committed defending in the box, Sheerness were able to scramble the ball clear.

Sheerness more direct approach on a sticky pitch was proving difficult for the new look Rusthall defence to cope with and on a number of occasions they were able to get behind the Rusthall full backs and deliver quality balls into the box. Rusthall were also guilty of over playing at the back, with their football being more suited to a sunny May afternoon rather than a wet January. It was this overplaying that was to lead to the opening goal on 26 minutes when Ashmore was caught in possession the ball looped up and forced keeper Hawkins into a 50/50 tackle with the Sheerness forward, who came away with the ball and calmly tapped home.

Rusthall were lucky not to go two behind on 38 minutes when good interplay by the Sheerness forwards, left them with a one on one, but keeper Hawkins managed to block to the shot away for a corner. From the resulting kick, Hawkins was again forced to make a good save and this seem to spur Rusthall on, as at the other end Penny forced the keeper into a good save and both Perkins and Burren went close.

At halftime Rusthall were urged to compete more for the ball, and the team took the pitch for the second half with a much better attitude. All of a sudden balls that had been won by Sheerness in the first half were going Rusthall’s way and this led to a period of sustained pressure for the Rustics. On 55 minutes following good work by Millins down the left, Burren laid the ball to Penny who took one touch and smashed home the equaliser. Rusthall’s confidence grew from this point and 5 minutes later they took the lead. Man of the match Perkins was fouled 30 yards from goal and from the resulting free kick Burren was able to slot the ball home to put Rusthall in front.

Rusthall were now on the front foot and they were looking the more likely team to go on and get a third, when they hit the self destruct button. A neat Sheerness move saw two of the Rustic defenders standing with their arms in the air appealing for offside rather than tracking the ball. The Sheerness winger rightly carried on and provided a good cross to leave the centre forward with a simple tap in to level the scores on 70 minutes.

Rusthall recovered and continued to push and whilst they looked dangerous and got into good position, their crossing did not match the quality of the opponents and good opportunities when missing. However there was a sting in the tail in injury time, with Rusthall looking for the winner, Sheerness broke quickly and got away down the left, the winger delivered a deep cross to the far post, that caught Hunter on his heels, allowing the Sheerness forward to nip in front of him and head the ball past a despairing Hawkins.

Although disappointed by the result Rusthall can take heart from their second half performance and the knowledge that the reason for the recent dropped points lays  more in basic error on their part rather than them being outplayed by the opposing teams. Next week they travel to league leaders Bromley Green with nothing to lose.

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