---------------------------------------------------------------------- TOP ---------------------------------------------------------------------------1st March 08 - Rusthall 4 Bromley Green 2

Rusthall returned to winning ways following their away defeat to Snodland with a convincing home win at Jockey Farm against their Ashford based rivals.

Ian Balmer failed a fitness test, so new signing Ross Cable came into the starting line up to partner Dave Burren, with Martin Millins dropping into midfield.

The Rustics got off to the best start possible. Two minutes in, Cable picked up the ball on the edge of the Bromley Green penalty area, and his cross picked out Robert Perkins to tap in from close range.

The visitors began to dig in and roll their sleeves up and kept waves of Rusthall attacks at bay. Having had a few long range efforts, the visitors drew level when the static Rusthall defence saw a left wing cross converted well from Tommy Lockett.

In what was proving to be a very eventful first half, Rusthall went back into the lead just before the half hour mark, when Wayne Balmer picked up a ball some 30 yards from goal and unleashed an unstoppable drive into the top left hand corner.

Back the visitors came, Craig Southen received a ball down Rusthalls left hand side, he looked up and sent in a cross that was carried by the wind into the net, giving the deceived Phil Hawkins in goal no chance.

The Rustics had the final say of the half, when 3 minutes before half time, a Dave Forster cross was converted by the oncoming Burren to side foot the ball home. Depsite strong protests that Burren was off side, the officials were all in agreement that Burren was in fact onside.

The second half became one way traffic. Rusthall dominated and continually attacked their visitors looking for that crucial fourth goal. Twice Forster shot over from close range, and Burren hit the bar from Balmers corner. Ross Cable wrapped up the game with a sweet left foot finish with 20 minutes to go.

Rusthall manager Hugo Langton commented "Today we were brilliant and creative going forward, we could have scored 9 or 10 goals today. I was unhappy with the two goals we conceded but at half time the back line took on board what we said to them, and were much better in the second half. The challenge now this week is to go and win at Bearsted and maintain the level of performance throughout the team we produced in the second half. "

Rusthalls game at Bearsted is at Honey Lane, Bearsted, kick off 245pm.

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23rd February 2008 - Snodland 1 Rusthall 0

The Rustics four match unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday in what was a very closely fought game between the two in form sides of the division.

With the team unchanged from the previous week, it was the visitors who started the brightest, taking their game to their hosts, however, as would be the tone for the majority of the game for both sides, very little was created, with Rusthall striker Burren going closest when he dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box. Martin Millins and Robbie Perkins were working hard to create chances but found the home defence in stuborn mood.

Snodland first threatened with a good move down the left wing, but the shot from the cross was fired straight at Hawkins in the Rusthall goal from 6 yards out.

The only goal of the game came in the 34th minute. A snodland corner was met by defender Ashley Russell to head home whilst under a challenge from Hawkins.

The second half was a stubborn affair with neither side giving an inch. Rusthall spent long periods in the Snodland half, with Dave Forster having the best chance when he headed over from 7 yards. Rusthall thought they had equalised with 20 minutes to go. A Wayne Balmer freekick was parried by the Snodland keeper into Dave Forsters path who slotted the rebound into the net, only to be denied by an offside flag from the linesman. 5 minutes later a speculative Tomomy Fuller effort from 30 yards had to be tipped over the bar by the home keeper.

Snodland created very little and found the Rustics defence in good form. The home side held out for a valuable three points in the end, but the Rustics can count themselves unlucky to have come away with nothing.

Manager Hugo Langton commented after the game "The players are really down. They worked so  hard but our creativity in the final third was lacking today. I thought defensively we were outstanding as Snodlands front two work very hard, this pleased me as we have worked hard with the defenders recently in training.All the players can all hold their heads up as far as I am concerned as we have been terrific lately."

Next week Rusthall entertain Bromley Green at Jockey Farm, kick off 245pm.

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16th February 2008 - Rusthall 4 Sheerness East 3

Rusthall maintained their recent run of form, with their third win in four games at home to Sheerness East.

There were a few changes to the line up after the previous weeks home draw with Cray Valley. Ian Balmer and captain Alan Chapman returned to the side, and the inspired Martin Millins came in for the injury plagued Lee Speirs.

The Rustics got off to the worst possible start. With 3 minutes on the clock, the visitors took the lead when Jamie Salvidge left his marker for dead and glanced his side into the lead with a neat header.

However this woke the home side up, and they began to dominate play. Millins was causing the visitors all kinds of problems with his non stop running, while Ian Balmer and Chapman were running riot in the midfield. The Rustics equalised from a corner af in the 26th minute, Dave Burren had his initial shot saved, but the Sheerness keeper spilled the shot and Dave Forster was on hand to squeeze the ball home. Things got better for the home side in the 32nd minute. Burren was again involved as his goal bound effort was rebounded into the path of Nick Coxon, who swept home from 10 yards.

Rusthall sensed further blood, and went close before half time with Robbie Perkins going close after brilliant work from Millins on the right hand side. Jamie McKenna also hit the bar with the keeper stranded.

The visitors got themselves back on level terms early in the second half. With the Rusthall defence static, Salvidge got on the end of a decent pass, to score past Hawkins from the rightest of angles.

Again, Rusthall found their feet and began to start looking menacing again. They deservedly took the lead on the hour mark. Wayne Balmers corner was met first time by Coxon to side foot home to notch his second of the afternoon.

Sheerness began to throw players forward and were caught on the counter attack, and Tommy Fuller was fouled just outside the area on the right hand side. His free kick in 80 minutes was floated on to the head of striker Burren to claim his 10th of the season and Rusthalls 4th of the afternoon.

With the game all but won, Sheerness east kept trying to push forward. Salvidge, who had been a threat all afternoon, was brought down by McKenna in the penalty area, and he scored his hatrick form the spot despite the best efforts of Hawkins in the home goal.

Manager Hugo Langton issued his side with a challenge after the game "We have been doing ok lately, ten points from 12, but i have challenged the players to keep this going in the last 7 games. A run of 3 or 4 good results count for nothing if we dont maintain it.

I was really disappointed with the defending for the first two goals especially the first as our shape from set pieces is something i have not been pleased with of late. However, we did play some good stuff and we scored some good goals".

 

The Rustics recorded their second away win in a week, with a 3-1 win in South East London. Manager Hugo Langton had asked his players to start showing some consistency and belief, and his side responded with a battling performance.

Rusthall had a dream start, after 5 minutes, Stuart Gray found Dave Burren down the right wing, and Burren beat two Lewisham defenders before unleashing a terrific curling strike that left the home keeper with no chance.

The visitors continued to push forward and were causing Lewisham problems on the wings. Lee Speirs, Wayne Balmer ande Burren all came close to stretching the lead, but it was Burren who eventually got the richly deserved second. A defence splitting pass saw him with just the home keepr to beat, which he duly did despite coming under pressure from two Lewisham defenders.

The game began to open up in the seond half, and the home side pulled a goal back on the hour, while the Rustic defence momentarily slept, a Lewisham striker nipped in to pull a goal back. This put the wind in te Lewisham sails and they sensed an equaliser might come.

With 25 minutes left, a ball was played 5 yards into the Rusthall half to a Lewisham forward. He and centre back Nick Coxon became in a bit of a tangle as the Lewisham played tried to turn and he was brought down by Coxon. The referee consulted his lineman and decided that it was a professional foul, as Coxon had apparatly denied the Lewisham forward a goal scoring opportunity 5 yards inside the Rusthall half, and was shown a straight red card.

Although the home side huffed and puffed, the Rustics sealed victory with 5 minutes to go. A Dave MAssey throw in found Robbie Perkins, who's left wing cross was headed home by Dave Forster.

Manager Langton said of his team "at two nil we decided to make life hard  for ourselves. We battled on and rolled our sleeves up and got the result in the end. The players have set themselves a standard now in the last two games and i expect this to continue"

Rusthall entertain Cray Valley this week at Jockey Farm, 245pm kick off.

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28th January 2008 - LANGTON DEMANDS THE SAME AGAIN FROM RUSTICS

Rusthall manager Hugo Langton has challenged his players to show the character and belief they showed in their away victory last weekend at Fleet Leisure, when they travel to Lewisham tomorrow in their British energy Kent County game.

The win at their Gravesend rivals last week was their first win in 6 games and Langton is keen to build on the performance. "Its common knowledge that things haven't exactly been going our way lately, but last week I saw from my side the character, hard work and belief I know they have all got in them to get a terrific result. I asked the players to raise their game by another 10-20 percent and they all responded. I believed that we were going to get a result if we worked hard to stifle Fleet when we didn't have the ball. Every single one of the players deserves credit, but I now expect the same at Lewisham and for the rest of the season. I have asked them to be men and take the challenge on".

The Rustics dominated the first half and took the game to Fleet Leisure. They had to wait until the 35th minute to take the lead. A back post cross from Wayne Balmer, was knocked back by Lee Spiers for Tommy Fuller to cross to the waiting Robbie Perkins at the back post to put the Rustics ahead. The home side rarely threatened, although Mike Ward volloyed over from close range.

Rusthall came out in the second half looking for a second goal. But it was the home side who equalised after 60 minutes. Rusthall lost the ball just inside their own half, Fleet poured forward in numbers, and an initial shot from Pittaway was saved my Phil Hawkins, only for Ward to head home the rebound.

Both sides began to look for the winner, and Fleet were putting in long high balls in to the Rusthall box, but the defence of McKenna, Myles and Coxon were first to everything.

On 78 minutes, Fuller was fouled 25 yards from goal to the left of the area. Wayne Balmer stepped up and curled an unstoppable effort into the top corner to give the away side the points. Fleet Leisure had a decent appeal for a penalty turned down, and then though they had drawn level, when the dangerous Ward rose to meet a cross from the left. The ball seemed to be heading for the bottom corner but somehow Hawkins got across to pull off an incredible one handed save to ensure the Rustics victory.

"We scored two good goals, and could have had more. Wayno's free kick was worthy to win any game, and Phils save at the end was nothing short of world class" Langton concluded.

The game at Lewisham tomorrow is a 245pm kick off that the Ladywell Arena, Catford.

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7th January 2008 - Fleet Leisure 4 Rusthall 2

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17th December 2007 - Rusthall 0 Coney Hall 3

The Rustics run of bad luck continued as they went down at home to Coney Hall who scored all three goals in a 15 minute period in the first half.

With so many players out, Rusthall manager Hugo Langton was forced to name himself and assistant manager John Ronaldson on the bench.

Neither side took hold of the game in the opeing twenty minutes. Then a hopeful long ball forward eluded the Rustics defence to allow Coney Halls striker to lob the ball with releative ease over Phil Hawkins. Rusthall charged straight down the other end, Robbie Perkins found himself with the Coney keeper to beat, he took the ball around the keeper and was promptly brought down. To the amazement of everyone, play was waved on. Rusthall kept driving forward and after some neat interplay, Lewis Howards goal bound header was brilliantly pushed over the bar by the visitors keeper.

Coney essentially wrapped the game up with two quick further goals. A shot came back of the post, and with the home defence ball watching, Coney doubled their lead with a clinical low finish. They wrapped the game up minutes later, as again the home defence was split and the same striker again lobbed Hawkins.

Dave Forster came close to pulling one back, but having taken the ball around the Coney keeper he couldn't finish from a tight angle.

Debutant Dave Welch came on as a half time substitute at centre back to ensure no more goals were leaked and impressed.

There was controversy early on in the second half. An altercation between Coneys keeper and Forster, saw the away keeper shown a straight red. Rusthall switched to a 3-4-3 formation and even with the introduction of Dave Burren and Ronaldson up front, the home side could not muster any real threat of note. There was a further valid penalty claim when Burren was shoved in the Coney box, and Perkins went close twice from distance as the game petered out.

Langton said of his side "We were rubbish. There is no point lying. We are struggling and it's now up to me to sort this out and I will"

Rusthall play away at Hollands and Blair next week, kick off 2pm

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26th November 2007 - Rusthall 0 Orpington 2

The Rustics entertained high flying Orpington at Jockey Farm, and it was the visiting team who left with the points and revenge for their home defeat against Rusthall earlier in the season.

Jamie McKenna returned to the centre of defence to partner Stuart Hunter, and Ian Balmer came back into central midfield along side Gary Stock and brother Wayne.

It was the homeside who flew out of the blocks looking for an early goal. In the third minute, Alan Chapman jinked his way down the left wing, and delivered a pin point cross to Lewis Howard, who headed narrowly wide from 10 yards.

Chapman again then broke down the wing, and after some neat interchanges, charged into the penalty area to shoot, only to see his effort come off the inside of the post, fly across the goal and out for a corner.

From the resulting corner, Stu Hunter blasted the ball over the visitors bar when well placed.
Still the home side pushed forward and won a series of corners. The best effort fell to Jamie McKenna who, from the edge of the box, saw his magnificent effort come back of the cross bar.

Orpington started to get back into the game and settled down after the hectic start. They began to play some good football and worked hard to win the ball back. Their best effort saw Rustics keeper Phil Hawkins tip a decent effort from Anthony Weir around the post, when the ball seemed to be heading for the top corner. Hawkins was also quick to react to a close range Billy Webb header.

The second half began and Orpington began to take hold of the game. Jamie Hughes, Webb and Weir all had decent efforts. Rusthall looked slightly devoid of idea, and could not recreate their first half form. The first goal was always going to be the crucial one, and it went to the visitors on 71 minutes in the softest of fashions. A free kick into the home area, was was met by the head of by Webb and he peeled away in delight as the ball gently nestled in the back of the net

Five minutes later the game was as good as over. Lewis crossed from the Orpington left, and Webb struck his second with a deadly left footed strike.

Orpington could have added a third, but it was the home side who were left cursing the early misses in the game.
Rusthall manager Hugo Langton said "We must learn to take our chances. Everyweek we create so much but we are not clinical enough. This is something we need to address urgently. The main difference between the sides today was that Orpington have several players who can score a lot of goals, and we don’t. That’s why they are at the top of the table and we aren't"

Next week Rusthall travel to Bly Spartans in Strood for a Kent Intermediate third round Cup clash, kick of 130pm.

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19th November 2007 - Rusthall 3 Samuel Montagu YC 1

It took extra time for the Rustics to finally overcome their opponents from the division below in Saturdays Inter League Challenge Cup game, in what can only be described as a battle.

New signings Dave Forster and Andy Mills were both handed their first starts for the club, and it was Forster who had the games first say. After 5 minutes, Gary Stock whipped in a free kick from the left wing, and Forster got in front of his marker to powerfully head home his first goal for the club.

The home side continued to dominate the proceedings and should have added to their one goal, with Chapman, Penny, Howard and Forster all going close with further efforts.

The game changed in the second half, and the Rustics had to endure endless fouls and late challenges from the visitors, who had clearly decided at half time to get physical.

Chapman was the subject of several late challenges as the visitors picked up two bookings.
The away side equalised with a free kick on the edge of Rusthalls box with a neat strike giving Hawkins in the home goal no chance.

The visitors continued to kick their way through the game, and their captain was eventually sent off for one late challenge too many.

Neither side could find the winner in normal time, so an extra 30 minutes was required to settle the tie.
The first period of extra time was evenly matched, as neither side created an opening as the game really had sunk into a battle. The visitors clearly were in no hurry and were prepared to hold on for panalties.

Early in the second period, the homeside got their breakthrough. Chapmans pin point cross was headed home by substitute Dave Burren who rose to knock the ball back across the face of goal, leaving the visiting keeper stranded.

The game restarted and Chapman again was the subject of an extremely crude and late challenge from the visitors right midfield. Chapman, clearly unhappy and none to pleased got to his feet and a 15 man melee broke out. When calm was restored, Chapman was shown a second yellow. Two Montague players deservedly followed him for an early bath.

The Rustics wrapped the game up with a superb strike from the in form John Penny, who's effort from the edge of the area gave the Montagu keeper no chance.

Rusthall manager Hugo Langton thought his side were worthy winners. "I was surprised that our opponents hadn't come here to play football but to get physical. Last season we'd have probably lost that game, but my players will always fight for each other. I felt for Alan Chapman as he had to endure a lot of blatant crude challenges all afternoon.  It wasn't pretty at all, but we kept going and got there in the end. Defensively we were tight and the shape was much better than last week."

Next week the Rustics entertain high flying Orpington at Jockey Farm, kick off 2pm.

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12th November 2007 - Rusthall 1 Norton Sports 4

Rusthall suffered their biggest defeat of the season against high flying Norton Sports at Jockey Farm.
The home side were again forced to make changes, with Mark Lester and Nick Coxon both picking up knocks ahead of the game, Lewis Howard was away and Alan Chapman was held up and unable to make kick off. Stuart Hunter dropped into central defence, Andy Myles and Martin Millins returned to the midfield, and Dave Burren was recalled. New signings Dave Forster and Andy Mills were amongst the subs.

The home side got off to the worst possible start after two minutes. A header from Jamie McKenna back to goalkeeper Phil Hawkins was judged to have been handled just outside the box. Harry Goodger smashed home the free kick giving Hawkins and his wall no chance.

8 minutes later, disaster struk again, as a cross in from the Norton left was not gathered by Hawkins, and Jack Goodger was on hand to finish with ease but put the league leaders in control.

Rusthall then got hold of the game and for the next 36 minutes dominated the game. Wayne Balmer, Gary Stock and Ian Balmer were working tirelessly in midfield, with Hunter and Millins causing problems down the wings. The home side were continually trying to find a way through a resiliant Norton back line.

Hope arrived in the 37th minute. Gary Stock picked the ball up in midfield and sent a pin point cross over to John Penny, who from 15 hards out finished clinically with a sweet half volley to register his third goal in as many games.

Half time came and went, and Norton put the game beyong the Rustics 3 minutes into the second half. A left wing coner was swung in, and Luke Rivett took advantage of same awful marking to head his sides third.

New signing Dave Forster was introduced into the game and replaced Burren. Chapman replaced Millins. Forster was straight in to action and after some good work down the left, he saw his effort well saved by the Norton keeper.

Robbie Perkins then came on for Andy Myles, as the Rustics started throwing everything forward in hope of getting back in the game. In the end Norton completed their scoring, another free header from a corner was met by Slatter to put the result beyond any doubt.

Rustics manager Hugo Langton said at full time "I can't fault our heart or passion, but silly errors cost us. There is no need to point fingers, as we're in this together, and we'll put it right. We need to cut these mistakes out and give ourselves a chance. Fair play to Norton, they are an excellent side, and I told their manager at the end that if they don’t win this league I will personally turn up at their training ground and shoot them all!"

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5th November 2007 - Rusthall v Snodland

On Saturday, a strong, pulsating crowd saw Rusthall entertain Snodland at Jockey Farm for the second time in three weeks in the Kent Inter Challenge Shield. Rusthall had a point to prove as the visitors had stolen a 0-1 victory when the two sides meet in the league two weeks ago. Injuries have been rife for Rusthall this year but a strong squad has enabled them to still get results, however today they welcomed back Nick Coxon and Gary Stock to the starting eleven. The Rustics started brightly and dominated early possession with the central midfield partnership of Stock, Chapman and Wayne Balmer controlling proceedings enabling both Hunter and Ian Balmer to attack down the flanks to delivery crosses into the box but forwards Penny and Howard were unable to convert.

Rusthall did take the lead on 38 minutes when a sweeping move across the midfield saw Chapman set Hunter free down the wing to feed Penny who picked out Howard on the six yard box, his swivel and shot was executed to perfection with both defender and goal keeper left helpless as he drove the ball into the roof of the net. Rusthall had several other good opportunities in the first half the best falling to Wayne Balmer who dragged his shot wide from 18 yards. Snodland rarely bothered the home sides backline, Mckenna, Coxon and Owen Myles comfortably dealing with any threats.

A change of ends seemed to change the game completely. Snodland brought on a replacement up front and they came bursting out of the traps immediately putting more pressure on the Rusthall midfield who could not repeat the short sharp passing from the first half and subsequently gave the ball away cheaply. This spurred Snodland on and it was through this pressure that they equalised. Rusthall had possession on the right hand side in a relatively safe position but good closing down from the Snodland midfield resulted in an under hit back pass to Hawkins who was slightly slow off his line allowing the Snodland forward to get a foot in, the ball ricocheting off the goal keeper only to fall at the forwards feet to roll the ball into an empty net.

The game now became much more stretched with no side able to gain control of the midfield. Rusthall Manager Langton made the first move bringing on Andy Myles for Hunter who had run himself into the ground. This seemed to sure up things a little but Snodland upped their game again and snuffed out any danger with relative ease. With  20  minutes to go Langton then threw on Millins and Lester to replace Ian Balmer and Stock in an attempt to win the game before extra time. Lester added good energy to the middle of the park picking up lots of second ball and looking to support Howard and Penny at any opportunity. Both Millins and Andy Myles acted as good outlets initiating wave after wave of attacks but still the Snodland backline stood strong until a defence splitting pass from  Wayne Balmer found man of the match Penny at the back post who took the ball early and volleyed past the keeper. This goal seemed to knock the wind out of Snodland and Rusthall went on to control the last few minutes and proceed to the next round.

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