Tunbridge Wells 5 Rusthall 0

Match 56/15/1261 - Tuesday, 30th December 2015 - Friendly

Tunbridge Wells (3) 5 Nwoko 2,5,30 Parsons 55, Baz 89
Rusthall (0) 0
Attendance: Estimated: 150

Entrance: Free
Programme: None Produced
Mileage: 36/4,012

Unless it has been weathered-enforced, I've never known a football club without a fixture over the Christmas period. Although the scheduled Boxing Day fixture was an unappealing away trip, the playing of the game on a free Saturday earlier in the month left Tunbridge Wells' supporters starved of football over the festive period.

To give the players game time, two friendly fixtues were arranged and although the first against Guru Nanak prior to Christmas fell foul of the weather, the second against neighbours Rusthall satisfied the fans' craving and, even allowing for the free entry, a very decent attendance assembled.

Unfortunately, with no team sheet either printed or written up, who was who in an experimental Tunbridge Wells side was guesswork apart from the regulars such as Joe Fuller and Perry Spackman.

If it wasn't clear who was who, this was no fault of the new floodlights that shone impressively brightly. Jason Bourne is overhauling the squad quickly with some returning names and some youngsters brought in from senior clubs' youth teams. Rory Head and Bradley Large have returned from University, Tom Davey has been pursuaded to return to the game and Tolly Beaton helped out on the night.

Added to those were mystery men, a left winger who we can only refer to as Baz (or even Buzz!) and a striker called Alwyn. Both of these players impressed and it would be good to get to know a little bit more about them whilst they are wearing the red of the Wells.

After five minutes, the Rusthall defence looked like they were drunken guests at a particularly raucous New Year's Eve party as they found themselves two behind to Joe Nwoko goals. His first after two minutes was from close range and his second came courtesy of the fleet-footed Baz before the striker side-stepped a couple of challenges to fire home.

All credit to Rusthall that they recovered their composure and for half-an-hour more than held their own. After some magnificent defending had denied the Wells a third, Rusthall hit the post with a far post header but then conceded on the counter attack with Nwoko completing his first half hat trick.

Large hit the bar, cutting in from the right, just prior to the break.

Ten minutes into the second half, Ian Parsons, a first half substitute, scored from close range to add a fourth.

Sadly, I have to admit to missing the final goal from Baz as a warming cup of tea became more enticing than the final five minutes, shame on me!

With very little to play for in terms of challenging for silverware (Tunbridge Wells will not go down, of that I'm sure), Jason Bourne has time on his side to allow a young side to evolve from the ashes of a poor opening four months of the season. How the young players on show in this non-competitive match transfer to men's senior football is going to make for interesting viewing for the Culverden faithful.

As a postscript I would like to thank my followers for continuing to log-in to That'll Be The Day, as it has now received its 50,000th page viewing.