Rusthall (0) 0
Tunbridge Wells (0) 2 Kamara 80 Austin 88
Attendance: 1,110
Admission: £5 Senior
Mileage: 38/4,730
Showing posts with label Rusthall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rusthall. Show all posts
Friday, 5 January 2024
Rusthall 0 Tunbridge Wells 2
Match 66/23/2189 - Saturday, 30th December 2023 - SCEFL Premier
Rusthall (0) 0
Tunbridge Wells (0) 2 Kamara 80 Austin 88
Attendance: 1,110
Admission: £5 Senior
Mileage: 38/4,730
Rusthall (0) 0
Tunbridge Wells (0) 2 Kamara 80 Austin 88
Attendance: 1,110
Admission: £5 Senior
Mileage: 38/4,730
Saturday, 1 July 2023
Rusthall 0 Tonbridge Angels 3
Match 1/23/2125 - Saturday, 1st July 2023 - Pre-Season Friendly
Rusthall (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (1) 3 T. Wood 45 Soares-Jr 57 Fielding 81
Attendance: 342
Admission: £3 Senior
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/38
Weather: 21degC. Warm sunshine with some cloud
Season 2023/24, an 18th for That’ll Be The Day, is underway. A season that, if all goes to plan, is going to be arduous in terms of travelling, so it was good to get a nice, gentle opener at Rusthall.
The SCEFL club were good enough to step forward when Dulwich Hamlet threw their toys out of the pram and cancelled a fixture.
The game was what you expect from the opening of preseason, a few trialists; new players finding their feet and a few Academy lads thrown in to get some first team minutes.
As you would hope, Tonbridge dominated the proceedings but had to make do with a single goal lead at the break with Tommy Wood converting a Joe Turner cross with a shot that went through the goalkeeper.
Ruben Soares-Junior rode a couple of challenges, after being sent on his way by Chester Smith, to bury a shot into the bottom corner.
Jamie Fielding wrapped up proceedings with a goal, nine minutes from time, fastening on to a half clearance to score.
A minute later, Hayden Velvick struck a post after rounding the keeper, and Rusthall had a couple of late chances that gave Nat Gibb an opportunity to excel.
The Ashes is only a Test old; Wimbledon is yet to happen, but football is back! I’m not complaining!
Rusthall (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (1) 3 T. Wood 45 Soares-Jr 57 Fielding 81
Attendance: 342
Admission: £3 Senior
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/38
Weather: 21degC. Warm sunshine with some cloud
Season 2023/24, an 18th for That’ll Be The Day, is underway. A season that, if all goes to plan, is going to be arduous in terms of travelling, so it was good to get a nice, gentle opener at Rusthall.
The SCEFL club were good enough to step forward when Dulwich Hamlet threw their toys out of the pram and cancelled a fixture.
The game was what you expect from the opening of preseason, a few trialists; new players finding their feet and a few Academy lads thrown in to get some first team minutes.
As you would hope, Tonbridge dominated the proceedings but had to make do with a single goal lead at the break with Tommy Wood converting a Joe Turner cross with a shot that went through the goalkeeper.
Ruben Soares-Junior rode a couple of challenges, after being sent on his way by Chester Smith, to bury a shot into the bottom corner.
Jamie Fielding wrapped up proceedings with a goal, nine minutes from time, fastening on to a half clearance to score.
A minute later, Hayden Velvick struck a post after rounding the keeper, and Rusthall had a couple of late chances that gave Nat Gibb an opportunity to excel.
The Ashes is only a Test old; Wimbledon is yet to happen, but football is back! I’m not complaining!
Sunday, 2 February 2020
Rusthall 4 Sutton Athletic 1
Match 69/19/1791 - Saturday, 1st February 2020 - SCEFL1
Rusthall (2) 4 Lawrence 7 (pen) Miles 69, 84 Clover 90
Sutton Athletic (0) 1 Desanges 78
Attendance: 121
Admission: £4 Senior
Programme: £1.50
Mileage: 38/5,329
Rusthall Report
Rusthall (2) 4 Lawrence 7 (pen) Miles 69, 84 Clover 90
Sutton Athletic (0) 1 Desanges 78
Attendance: 121
Admission: £4 Senior
Programme: £1.50
Mileage: 38/5,329
Sunday, 7 October 2018
Rusthall 1 Corinthian 3
Match 39/18/1632 - Wednesday, 2nd October 2018 - SCEFL
Rusthall (0) 1
Corinthian (1) 3 Clover 20 Tanner 37,50
Attendance: 98
Admission: £4 Senior
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/2,621
The season is still in its early stages but it already appears that next season’s local derby between Rusthall and Tunbridge Wells could be in SCEFL Division One unless there is an upsurge of form before it is too late. Admittedly, pointless Croydon are at present the favourites to occupy one of the relegation spots.
Rusthall came into the game, in the bottom two, with just the four points from their nine games but with a vastly inferior goal difference than their neighbours.
On a chilly evening, visitors Corinthian started on the front foot with Rusthall’s stand-in goalkeeper Jake Cornish turning over an fifth minute effort from Charlie Clover.
Cornish was required to make further saves from Connor Johnson before a soft free kick was floated into the box for Johnson to touch in.
Corinthian went on to dominate the half with chances to increase their lead arriving at regular intervals. Oscar Housego fired into the side netting and stretched Cornish into a good stop, low to his left.
It took all of 37 minutes before a tame header managed to dirty the Corinthian goalkeeper’s hands. But within a minute, Corinthian doubled their advantage when a low cross from Johnson was swept home by Luke Tanner from close range.
The game was put beyond Rusthall when a stroke of misfortune saw an attempted clearance strike Tanner and rebound into the net.
The game became ridiculously one-sided with Rusthall only surviving a heavy defeat by the wastefulness of their visitors.
Eventually, with the referee playing just a single minute of time added (as he had done in the first half), Rusthall struck from the right side of the box to give the scoreline some respectability.
Rusthall (0) 1
Corinthian (1) 3 Clover 20 Tanner 37,50
Attendance: 98
Admission: £4 Senior
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/2,621
The season is still in its early stages but it already appears that next season’s local derby between Rusthall and Tunbridge Wells could be in SCEFL Division One unless there is an upsurge of form before it is too late. Admittedly, pointless Croydon are at present the favourites to occupy one of the relegation spots.
Rusthall came into the game, in the bottom two, with just the four points from their nine games but with a vastly inferior goal difference than their neighbours.
On a chilly evening, visitors Corinthian started on the front foot with Rusthall’s stand-in goalkeeper Jake Cornish turning over an fifth minute effort from Charlie Clover.
Cornish was required to make further saves from Connor Johnson before a soft free kick was floated into the box for Johnson to touch in.
Corinthian went on to dominate the half with chances to increase their lead arriving at regular intervals. Oscar Housego fired into the side netting and stretched Cornish into a good stop, low to his left.
It took all of 37 minutes before a tame header managed to dirty the Corinthian goalkeeper’s hands. But within a minute, Corinthian doubled their advantage when a low cross from Johnson was swept home by Luke Tanner from close range.
The game was put beyond Rusthall when a stroke of misfortune saw an attempted clearance strike Tanner and rebound into the net.
The game became ridiculously one-sided with Rusthall only surviving a heavy defeat by the wastefulness of their visitors.
Eventually, with the referee playing just a single minute of time added (as he had done in the first half), Rusthall struck from the right side of the box to give the scoreline some respectability.
Thursday, 13 September 2018
Rusthall 1 Tunbridge Wells 3
Match 31/18/1624 - Wednesday, 12th September 2018 - SCEFL
Rusthall (1) 1 Bissett 40
Tunbridge Wells (0) 3 Stratford (o.g.) 42,81 Tudor-Pole 85
Attendance: 325
Admission: £4 Senior
Programme: £1.50
Mileage: 38/1,580
It was the Tunbridge Wells support that went home happy for the first time this season as they triumphed in a hard fought Rocks derby.
Times-are-a-changing at Culverden Stadium. A new board with joint-chairman was put in place at the AGM with, among others, Martin Larkin returning to the fold. The new hierarchy will be as relieved as any of those supporters as the first points of the new season were put on the board.
The game got off to a controversial start when Rusthall’s goalkeeper, Jake Cornish, cleaning out Danny Powell outside of the penalty area. There were calls for a red card, but in truth, the position of the offence on the field, the first minute, a goalkeeper involved was always going to lead to a yellow.
Rusthall made the majority of the early running with a shot that was deflected for a corner and a free kick from Robbie Bissett that was turned away, low to his left, for a corner by Cameron Hall.
After 20 minutes the Wells started to get a foothold in the game with Josh Biddlecombe sending a pass across the face of the goal that begged a touch and a header from Ollie Cook that was cleared from the line.
A robust challenge saw Tommy Lawrence stretchered away from the game to be replaced by Alfie Hall after 25 minutes.
The game had become evenly balanced when Rusthall took the lead after 37 minutes when Cameron Hall came for a cross that was only cleared to the edge of the box from where Bissett drove into the bottom corner.
The lead was only to last three minutes when a Tunbridge Wells free kick into the box was inexplicably headed past his corner by Luke Stratford under no real pressure.
The early part of the second period once more saw the home side in the ascendancy. Regan Corke shot wide, Joe Fuller saw his shot deflected safely into Cameron Hall’s hands and Stratford saw his effort to make amends sail over.
But it was the Wells that got their noses in front when a cross to the far post was turned back into the danger area from where Jeremy Tudor-Pole, or a defender, got the final touch that saw the ball crawl across the line through a mass of bodies.
There was no doubt whose goal it was when the game was sealed. Tudor-Pole picked up a loose ball 40 yards from goal and slalomed his way through the Rusthall defence before drawing the goalkeeper and slotting it home. In truth, it was a moment of quality that was out of keeping with the game.
This was a good night for the Royalists who have suffered much in the opening weeks, perhaps the times they are a changing.
Rusthall (1) 1 Bissett 40
Tunbridge Wells (0) 3 Stratford (o.g.) 42,81 Tudor-Pole 85
Attendance: 325
Admission: £4 Senior
Programme: £1.50
Mileage: 38/1,580
Times-are-a-changing at Culverden Stadium. A new board with joint-chairman was put in place at the AGM with, among others, Martin Larkin returning to the fold. The new hierarchy will be as relieved as any of those supporters as the first points of the new season were put on the board.
The game got off to a controversial start when Rusthall’s goalkeeper, Jake Cornish, cleaning out Danny Powell outside of the penalty area. There were calls for a red card, but in truth, the position of the offence on the field, the first minute, a goalkeeper involved was always going to lead to a yellow.
Rusthall made the majority of the early running with a shot that was deflected for a corner and a free kick from Robbie Bissett that was turned away, low to his left, for a corner by Cameron Hall.
After 20 minutes the Wells started to get a foothold in the game with Josh Biddlecombe sending a pass across the face of the goal that begged a touch and a header from Ollie Cook that was cleared from the line.
A robust challenge saw Tommy Lawrence stretchered away from the game to be replaced by Alfie Hall after 25 minutes.
The game had become evenly balanced when Rusthall took the lead after 37 minutes when Cameron Hall came for a cross that was only cleared to the edge of the box from where Bissett drove into the bottom corner.
The lead was only to last three minutes when a Tunbridge Wells free kick into the box was inexplicably headed past his corner by Luke Stratford under no real pressure.
The early part of the second period once more saw the home side in the ascendancy. Regan Corke shot wide, Joe Fuller saw his shot deflected safely into Cameron Hall’s hands and Stratford saw his effort to make amends sail over.
But it was the Wells that got their noses in front when a cross to the far post was turned back into the danger area from where Jeremy Tudor-Pole, or a defender, got the final touch that saw the ball crawl across the line through a mass of bodies.
There was no doubt whose goal it was when the game was sealed. Tudor-Pole picked up a loose ball 40 yards from goal and slalomed his way through the Rusthall defence before drawing the goalkeeper and slotting it home. In truth, it was a moment of quality that was out of keeping with the game.
This was a good night for the Royalists who have suffered much in the opening weeks, perhaps the times they are a changing.
Sunday, 12 August 2018
Rusthall 3 Wick 0
Match 21/18/1614 - Sunday, 12th August 2018 - FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Rusthall (1) 3 Cameron 14 Carey 52 Strachan 90
Wick (0) 0
Attendance: 185
Played at Tunbridge Wells
Admission: £4 Senior
Programme: £1.50
Mileage: 36/1,045
Rusthall comfortably eased their way into the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup and in so doing earned themselves the enhanced prize money of £2,250. A further £960 will be won even if they were to lose at Bostik South Cray Wanderers in the next round. Proof indeed on how important financially even a short cup run can be to non-league clubs. Visitors Wick banked £750 for not making it past the Extra Preliminary Round!
This tie had to be moved to neighbouring Tunbridge Wells because of ongoing drainage work on the pitch at Jockey Farm. But, on the positive side, the Sunday afternoon fixture attracted 185 people, a good turn out.
After an early scare in which Rusthall’s goalkeeper, Callum Christie saved well from Wick’s David Crouch, Rusthall took the lead after 13 minutes. Tom Cameron was superbly put through on goal by Alex Carey to clinically finish with the aplomb of a proven striker rather than a wing back.
Rusthall should have put the game to bed in the first half as they created, and wasted, a bevy of chances with Carey at centre of everything. They ended the half with a 30 yard drive from Cameron that came back from the bar.
Six minutes into the second half, Rusthall finally converted one of their chances to double their advantage. Jordan Anderson retrieved a cross on the left, cut the ball back to Carey who found the top corner from the edge of the box.
Wick offered very little and the only surprise was that it took until the last minute for Rusthall to add a third. Regan Corke, who had put in a string of crosses from the right, finally found a man on the end of one giving substitute Callum Strachan a tap in.
Rusthall (1) 3 Cameron 14 Carey 52 Strachan 90
Wick (0) 0
Attendance: 185
Played at Tunbridge Wells
Admission: £4 Senior
Programme: £1.50
Mileage: 36/1,045
This tie had to be moved to neighbouring Tunbridge Wells because of ongoing drainage work on the pitch at Jockey Farm. But, on the positive side, the Sunday afternoon fixture attracted 185 people, a good turn out.
After an early scare in which Rusthall’s goalkeeper, Callum Christie saved well from Wick’s David Crouch, Rusthall took the lead after 13 minutes. Tom Cameron was superbly put through on goal by Alex Carey to clinically finish with the aplomb of a proven striker rather than a wing back.
Rusthall should have put the game to bed in the first half as they created, and wasted, a bevy of chances with Carey at centre of everything. They ended the half with a 30 yard drive from Cameron that came back from the bar.
Six minutes into the second half, Rusthall finally converted one of their chances to double their advantage. Jordan Anderson retrieved a cross on the left, cut the ball back to Carey who found the top corner from the edge of the box.
Wick offered very little and the only surprise was that it took until the last minute for Rusthall to add a third. Regan Corke, who had put in a string of crosses from the right, finally found a man on the end of one giving substitute Callum Strachan a tap in.
Tuesday, 24 April 2018
Rusthall 2 Lordwood 2
Match 123/17/1573 - Monday, 23rd April 2018 - SCEFL Premier
Rusthall (0) 2 Mitchell 65 Powell 66
Lordswood (2) 2 Wells 17 Huggins 24
Attendance: 85
Admission: £4 Senior
Programme: £1.50
Mileage: 38/8,176
Despite a stirring fight back it seems Rusthall’s destiny is in the hands of the Football Association’s reshuffling. Over the last month I’ve asked the same question 50 times of different people, some of whom could be considered in the know, how many are going down? But nobody either knows or are not prepared to disclose the answer.
A couple of weeks ago at Jockey Farm the mood seemed downcast as opinion was that two would be relegated with Rusthall occupying 19th place. Tonight, optimism was higher, on what grounds I do not know, that only Rochester United would lose their place in the SCEFL Premier.
The going at Jockey Farm has gone from soft to hard in a matter of a fortnight following the recent spell of dry, hot weather with the player’s studs sounding like that of galloping horses.
Lordswood, ensconced in the higher end of mid-table, have had a hectic period of catch-up with this their fifth game in 10 days but they raced out of the traps like a team desperate for the points.
Rusthall made the early chances with Ryan Waterman having a shot deflected wide and Stephan Harper, somewhat disappointingly, driving a shot into the side netting. But it was Lordswood that opened the scoring after 19 minutes when Adam Hooper’s pass opened up the Rustics defence for Jordan Wells to fire across the goalkeeper from around 12 yards.
The visitors doubled their advantage on 25 minutes with a well worked free kick that saw Hooper finding Wells, who held the ball up before laying it back to James Huggins who shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
Rusthall responded well with Matt Hathway firing at the goalkeeper and also heading wide before Paul Butler saw his header touched over by Ryan Chandler. Their closest first half effort saw the lively Yannick Tchoendjin narrowly shooting over.
Whether it was Lordswood’s schedule catching up with them, Rusthall themselves have had four games in 10 days, but the home side dominated the second period and were well deserving of their comeback around the hour mark.
Harper went close after 61 minutes and, four minutes later, a fine run and cross from Tchoendjin found Dan Mitchell whose close range shot could only be helped into the goal by Chandler.
Within a minute Rusthall were level when the ball fell to Danny Powell after a shot from Waterman had been blocked. Just three minutes later the home side’s recovery could have been complete when a wickedly dipping shot from Tchoendijn was narrowly over.
Rusthall have two games remaining, away to AFC Croydon and at home to Croydon whilst Hollands & Blair, three points to the good over Rusthall, have a single away game at Beckenham to play. Whoever, finishes in that second last place has an agonising wait for the Football Association’s wheels to slowly turn.
Rusthall (0) 2 Mitchell 65 Powell 66
Lordswood (2) 2 Wells 17 Huggins 24
Attendance: 85
Admission: £4 Senior
Programme: £1.50
Mileage: 38/8,176
A couple of weeks ago at Jockey Farm the mood seemed downcast as opinion was that two would be relegated with Rusthall occupying 19th place. Tonight, optimism was higher, on what grounds I do not know, that only Rochester United would lose their place in the SCEFL Premier.
The going at Jockey Farm has gone from soft to hard in a matter of a fortnight following the recent spell of dry, hot weather with the player’s studs sounding like that of galloping horses.
Lordswood, ensconced in the higher end of mid-table, have had a hectic period of catch-up with this their fifth game in 10 days but they raced out of the traps like a team desperate for the points.
Rusthall made the early chances with Ryan Waterman having a shot deflected wide and Stephan Harper, somewhat disappointingly, driving a shot into the side netting. But it was Lordswood that opened the scoring after 19 minutes when Adam Hooper’s pass opened up the Rustics defence for Jordan Wells to fire across the goalkeeper from around 12 yards.
The visitors doubled their advantage on 25 minutes with a well worked free kick that saw Hooper finding Wells, who held the ball up before laying it back to James Huggins who shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
Rusthall responded well with Matt Hathway firing at the goalkeeper and also heading wide before Paul Butler saw his header touched over by Ryan Chandler. Their closest first half effort saw the lively Yannick Tchoendjin narrowly shooting over.
Whether it was Lordswood’s schedule catching up with them, Rusthall themselves have had four games in 10 days, but the home side dominated the second period and were well deserving of their comeback around the hour mark.
Harper went close after 61 minutes and, four minutes later, a fine run and cross from Tchoendjin found Dan Mitchell whose close range shot could only be helped into the goal by Chandler.
Within a minute Rusthall were level when the ball fell to Danny Powell after a shot from Waterman had been blocked. Just three minutes later the home side’s recovery could have been complete when a wickedly dipping shot from Tchoendijn was narrowly over.
Rusthall have two games remaining, away to AFC Croydon and at home to Croydon whilst Hollands & Blair, three points to the good over Rusthall, have a single away game at Beckenham to play. Whoever, finishes in that second last place has an agonising wait for the Football Association’s wheels to slowly turn.
Thursday, 5 April 2018
Rusthall 3 Rochester United 2
Match 113/17/1563 - Wednesday, 4th April 2018 - SCEFL
Rusthall (1) 3 Powell 16 Hanshaw 60 Butler 86
Rochester United (2) 2 Healey 5 Simms 29
Attendance: 118
Entrance: £4 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 38/7,697
Another postponement, another change of direction led me to Jockey Farm for a relegation tussle that, almost certainly, assured Rusthall’s place in the SCEFL Premier for another season.
The Rustics have had a difficult second half of the season that couldn’t have been helped by a series of postponements of home matches.
Rusthall could not have got off to a worse start going behind after just six minutes when a free kick deceived goalkeeper Steve Lawrence but rebounded off the bar for Rochester’s Jack Healey to tap-in.
Credit to bottom-of-the-table Rochester who had roared out of the blocks and created further chances with Luke Saggers and Paul Gross both having a couple of efforts each on goal before the game reached the 10 minute mark.
Gross, an ex-manager at Cray Valley, was a big presence both in terms of his playing contribution and vocal encouragement or admonishment depending on the situation.
Rusthall finally got themselves started and equalised with virtually their first attack when a surging run down the right and cross from Michael Tubb found Dan Powell, whose shot took a helpful deflection past goalkeeper Tony Coxall.
Callum Gallie’s header came back off the crossbar for Rusthall and Gross almost benefitted from a poor clearance by Lawrence but sent his shot wide.
The visitor’s re-took the lead after 30 minutes when a shot from Merrick Simms went through Lawrence and into the net. Rochester could have gone into the break in a more commanding situation but Gross saw an effort cleared from the line by Kaylan Patel and Dan Nash had a 20 yard curler come back of the right hand post.
Into the second half. Rusthall showed a greater sense of urgency with Dan Mitchell’s header saved by Coxall, but just past the hour, a free kick delivered by Nathan Moseley was converted with a header from Dan Hanshaw.
Rusthall looked the most likely winner but might have gone behind again when Patel deflected substitute Jordan Adelekon’s effort over his own bar.
Rusthall got their noses in front for the first time in the game with five minutes remaining when a cross from the left was met with a header from Paul Butler that looped over Coxall to secure the three vital points.
As it seems most likely that only one team will be relegated from the SCEFL Premier this season, this result probably consigns Rochester to that fate.
Rusthall (1) 3 Powell 16 Hanshaw 60 Butler 86
Rochester United (2) 2 Healey 5 Simms 29
Attendance: 118
Entrance: £4 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 38/7,697
The Rustics have had a difficult second half of the season that couldn’t have been helped by a series of postponements of home matches.
Rusthall could not have got off to a worse start going behind after just six minutes when a free kick deceived goalkeeper Steve Lawrence but rebounded off the bar for Rochester’s Jack Healey to tap-in.
Credit to bottom-of-the-table Rochester who had roared out of the blocks and created further chances with Luke Saggers and Paul Gross both having a couple of efforts each on goal before the game reached the 10 minute mark.
Gross, an ex-manager at Cray Valley, was a big presence both in terms of his playing contribution and vocal encouragement or admonishment depending on the situation.
Rusthall finally got themselves started and equalised with virtually their first attack when a surging run down the right and cross from Michael Tubb found Dan Powell, whose shot took a helpful deflection past goalkeeper Tony Coxall.
Callum Gallie’s header came back off the crossbar for Rusthall and Gross almost benefitted from a poor clearance by Lawrence but sent his shot wide.
The visitor’s re-took the lead after 30 minutes when a shot from Merrick Simms went through Lawrence and into the net. Rochester could have gone into the break in a more commanding situation but Gross saw an effort cleared from the line by Kaylan Patel and Dan Nash had a 20 yard curler come back of the right hand post.
Into the second half. Rusthall showed a greater sense of urgency with Dan Mitchell’s header saved by Coxall, but just past the hour, a free kick delivered by Nathan Moseley was converted with a header from Dan Hanshaw.
Rusthall looked the most likely winner but might have gone behind again when Patel deflected substitute Jordan Adelekon’s effort over his own bar.
Rusthall got their noses in front for the first time in the game with five minutes remaining when a cross from the left was met with a header from Paul Butler that looped over Coxall to secure the three vital points.
As it seems most likely that only one team will be relegated from the SCEFL Premier this season, this result probably consigns Rochester to that fate.
Thursday, 15 March 2018
Rusthall 1 Cray Valley PM 2
Match 101/17/1551 - Wednesday, 14th March 2018 - SCEFL
Rusthall (0) 1 Smith 80
Cray Valley PM (0) 2 Lisbie 65 Gayle 72
Attendance: 97
Entrance: £4 Senior
Programme: None issued
Mileage: 38/7,005
Rusthall didn’t reap any reward for a great effort in getting this match played but, looking at the state of the pitch at the final whistle, they might have given themselves a whole load of work to get it playable for the next time out which is thankfully 10 days away.
Cray Valley boasted Kevin Lisbie, ex of Charlton Athletic, Gillingham and a multitude of other clubs in their ranks. The Jamaican striker might now be approaching his 40th birthday but he still has an eye for goal that brought him over a 100 Football League goals.
Lisbie saw an early effort go narrowly wide but the game took on an uneventful first period. Cray Valley largely dominated but Rusthall responded with Ryan Waterman bringing a good save out of Andy Walker and a comfortable one from Stephen Smith.
Callum Christie, in the Rustics goal, made the first of many good saves after 36 minutes saving at his near post to deny Denzil Gayle and, just before the break, a touch onto the bar when Lisbie had been sent clear was top drawer.
If Rusthall had scraped an honourable draw at the end of the first half, the second half was very much Cray Valley’s. It became a story of Christie’s hits and CV’s misses.
Christie made a fine, plunging save at the feet of Enoch Adjei, injuring himself in the process. Next it was the turn of Gayle to twice be denied before the visitors finally achieved the breakthrough in the 65th minute with Lisbie springing the Rusthall offside trap to go one-on-one with Christie and this time winning the duel.
Two minutes later Gayle had a glorious chance to double the advantage when a nod down saw him with the ball at his feet from six yards but only managing to screw his shot wide.
However, it was Gayle that scored the second, after 72 minutes, when the ball was lost in midfield, Junior James sent him clear and he converted off the right hand post. Cue much banter with the Valley’s small but vocal support regarding his previous misses. As one player said: “He tried his hardest to miss”!
Rusthall rallied to find a goal that might have given them a sniff of a comeback when Smith scored with a far post header from a right wing cross and it might have been more than a consolation when, in time added, Waterman shot narrowly wide.
It seemed out-of-step with the game that Cray Valley found themselves hanging on for the final whistle, but hang on they did.
Rusthall (0) 1 Smith 80
Cray Valley PM (0) 2 Lisbie 65 Gayle 72
Attendance: 97
Entrance: £4 Senior
Programme: None issued
Mileage: 38/7,005
Rusthall didn’t reap any reward for a great effort in getting this match played but, looking at the state of the pitch at the final whistle, they might have given themselves a whole load of work to get it playable for the next time out which is thankfully 10 days away.
Cray Valley boasted Kevin Lisbie, ex of Charlton Athletic, Gillingham and a multitude of other clubs in their ranks. The Jamaican striker might now be approaching his 40th birthday but he still has an eye for goal that brought him over a 100 Football League goals.
Lisbie saw an early effort go narrowly wide but the game took on an uneventful first period. Cray Valley largely dominated but Rusthall responded with Ryan Waterman bringing a good save out of Andy Walker and a comfortable one from Stephen Smith.
Callum Christie, in the Rustics goal, made the first of many good saves after 36 minutes saving at his near post to deny Denzil Gayle and, just before the break, a touch onto the bar when Lisbie had been sent clear was top drawer.
If Rusthall had scraped an honourable draw at the end of the first half, the second half was very much Cray Valley’s. It became a story of Christie’s hits and CV’s misses.
Christie made a fine, plunging save at the feet of Enoch Adjei, injuring himself in the process. Next it was the turn of Gayle to twice be denied before the visitors finally achieved the breakthrough in the 65th minute with Lisbie springing the Rusthall offside trap to go one-on-one with Christie and this time winning the duel.
Two minutes later Gayle had a glorious chance to double the advantage when a nod down saw him with the ball at his feet from six yards but only managing to screw his shot wide.
However, it was Gayle that scored the second, after 72 minutes, when the ball was lost in midfield, Junior James sent him clear and he converted off the right hand post. Cue much banter with the Valley’s small but vocal support regarding his previous misses. As one player said: “He tried his hardest to miss”!
Rusthall rallied to find a goal that might have given them a sniff of a comeback when Smith scored with a far post header from a right wing cross and it might have been more than a consolation when, in time added, Waterman shot narrowly wide.
It seemed out-of-step with the game that Cray Valley found themselves hanging on for the final whistle, but hang on they did.
Wednesday, 25 October 2017
Rusthall 1 Beckenham 3
Match 48/17/1498 - Wednesday, 25th October 2017 - SCEFL
Rusthall (1) 1 Waterman 5
Beckenham (1) 3 Johnson 9,57 Wadmore 60
Attendance: 128
Entrance: £4 Senior
Programme: £1.50
Mileage: 38/3,246
Cliche alert! A league season is a marathon not a sprint but, using marathon parlance, Rusthall appeared to have hit the wall. The previous two games that I have seen them this season I can away impressed and feeling they were a little unlucky with the scoreline in both games, but, on this occasion, they were well beaten by a decent Beckenham side.
Rusthall owed their band of supporters a performance following a harrowing weekend FA Vase defeat at the hands of Epsom and Ewell with the soul destroying margin of 7-2 and they looked to have set themselves on course to achieve this when they took the lead after just five minutes when Ryan Waterman shot in, off the inside of a post, after some great work from Stephen Harper.
The game was very open, I would imagine to both benches despair, and the visitors were level four minutes later when a poorly cleared corner was met with a looping header from full back Archie Johnson that was helped into the goal by the Rusthall goalkeeper, Joe Cullip.
The Rustics might have bounced back immediately when Beckenham’s goalkeeper, Santiago Tuilan, spilt an effort from Stephen Smith but Calum Gallie lashed the follow-up over the crossbar from six-yards.
Enjoying the benefit of the slope, Rusthall just about edged the first period but there was little between the teams.
Second half was a different story as Beckenham stormed out of the traps, wasted a good early chance before taking the lead after 58 minutes with a 30 yard effort into the top corner from Johnson.
After 65 minutes the visitors were well in control as a clever free kick routine that saw a dummy leave Adam Wadmore to score from close range.
Rusthall’s bad night was completed when the influential Dan Mitchell collected a second yellow for a foul.
For Rusthall, this is a rough patch, but many marathon runners make it through the wall to complete the course.
Rusthall (1) 1 Waterman 5
Beckenham (1) 3 Johnson 9,57 Wadmore 60
Attendance: 128
Entrance: £4 Senior
Programme: £1.50
Mileage: 38/3,246
Rusthall owed their band of supporters a performance following a harrowing weekend FA Vase defeat at the hands of Epsom and Ewell with the soul destroying margin of 7-2 and they looked to have set themselves on course to achieve this when they took the lead after just five minutes when Ryan Waterman shot in, off the inside of a post, after some great work from Stephen Harper.
The game was very open, I would imagine to both benches despair, and the visitors were level four minutes later when a poorly cleared corner was met with a looping header from full back Archie Johnson that was helped into the goal by the Rusthall goalkeeper, Joe Cullip.
The Rustics might have bounced back immediately when Beckenham’s goalkeeper, Santiago Tuilan, spilt an effort from Stephen Smith but Calum Gallie lashed the follow-up over the crossbar from six-yards.
Enjoying the benefit of the slope, Rusthall just about edged the first period but there was little between the teams.
Second half was a different story as Beckenham stormed out of the traps, wasted a good early chance before taking the lead after 58 minutes with a 30 yard effort into the top corner from Johnson.
After 65 minutes the visitors were well in control as a clever free kick routine that saw a dummy leave Adam Wadmore to score from close range.
Rusthall’s bad night was completed when the influential Dan Mitchell collected a second yellow for a foul.
For Rusthall, this is a rough patch, but many marathon runners make it through the wall to complete the course.
Thursday, 28 September 2017
Rusthall 2 AFC Croydon Athletic 2
Match 35/17/1485 - Wednesday, 27th September 2017 - SCEFL Premier
Rusthall (0) 2 Sinclair 57, Harper 63
AFC Croydon Athletic (1) 2Rayner 10, Oloyede 68
Attendance: 134
Entrance: £4 Senior
Programme: £1.50
Mileage: 37/1,962
I’ve become a Premier League cynic. Footballers, full of their own importance, who cheat; clubs with no respect for their supporters and call them customers and pander to the television companies that finance the ridiculous money that swashes around the major clubs. For years I’ve said that the bubble has to burst, but the bubble continues to grow.
On Tuesday, at Jockey Farm, the Premier League Show was in evidence to film a piece, to be shown on 7 October, that shows that some of that money does, indeed, filter down to grassroots and clubs like Rusthall can be the beneficiaries.
This was my first visit to the club since the ground improvements have taken place. The stadium is now floodlit, the cow patch on a slope that used to resemble a football pitch is now a level, beautiful surface and on a night in which rain lashed down, the new 100-seat Atcost stand is a very welcome addition. Without the grants from the Premier League through the Football Stadium Improvement Fund, much of this would not have been possible.
Rusthall have made a steady start to life in the SCEFL Premier League and in this game against AFC Croydon, who for the second midweek running, went top of the table by virtue of the result, they came from a goal down at the break to lead 2-1 but were pegged back to share the points.
On a dreadful night, an attendance of 134 was admirable.
AFC Croydon went ahead on 10 minutes when a disputed free kick was superbly bent around the wall and into the net by Ben Rayner.
Both sides gave as good as they got in a competitive first half that saw, a couple of minutes before the break, a header from Rusthall’s Dan Mitchell come back off a post.
Rusthall continued to take the game to their visitors and were deservedly level when a volley from John Sinclair found the net after a header from Joe Fuller had been partially cleared by the goalkeeper.
After 63 minutes, the Rustics took the lead with a fine, curling shot from Steph Harper into the top corner.
The lead was only to last five minutes as a through ball found Emmanuel Oloyede who finished well past Steve Lawrence.
Both sides had a great chance to win the game in the dying minutes with Lawrence saving well at his near post and Andy Constable probably hasn’t missed an easier chance in his long career.
The game ended with a spate of yellow cards which was a bit disappointing after a good game played in quite difficult conditions.
No doubt I’ll return to my cynicism in the very near future, but at least for now, I have witnessed the good side of the Premier League.
Rusthall (0) 2 Sinclair 57, Harper 63
AFC Croydon Athletic (1) 2Rayner 10, Oloyede 68
Attendance: 134
Entrance: £4 Senior
Programme: £1.50
Mileage: 37/1,962
On Tuesday, at Jockey Farm, the Premier League Show was in evidence to film a piece, to be shown on 7 October, that shows that some of that money does, indeed, filter down to grassroots and clubs like Rusthall can be the beneficiaries.
This was my first visit to the club since the ground improvements have taken place. The stadium is now floodlit, the cow patch on a slope that used to resemble a football pitch is now a level, beautiful surface and on a night in which rain lashed down, the new 100-seat Atcost stand is a very welcome addition. Without the grants from the Premier League through the Football Stadium Improvement Fund, much of this would not have been possible.
Rusthall have made a steady start to life in the SCEFL Premier League and in this game against AFC Croydon, who for the second midweek running, went top of the table by virtue of the result, they came from a goal down at the break to lead 2-1 but were pegged back to share the points.
On a dreadful night, an attendance of 134 was admirable.
AFC Croydon went ahead on 10 minutes when a disputed free kick was superbly bent around the wall and into the net by Ben Rayner.
Both sides gave as good as they got in a competitive first half that saw, a couple of minutes before the break, a header from Rusthall’s Dan Mitchell come back off a post.
Rusthall continued to take the game to their visitors and were deservedly level when a volley from John Sinclair found the net after a header from Joe Fuller had been partially cleared by the goalkeeper.
After 63 minutes, the Rustics took the lead with a fine, curling shot from Steph Harper into the top corner.
The lead was only to last five minutes as a through ball found Emmanuel Oloyede who finished well past Steve Lawrence.
Both sides had a great chance to win the game in the dying minutes with Lawrence saving well at his near post and Andy Constable probably hasn’t missed an easier chance in his long career.
The game ended with a spate of yellow cards which was a bit disappointing after a good game played in quite difficult conditions.
No doubt I’ll return to my cynicism in the very near future, but at least for now, I have witnessed the good side of the Premier League.
Thursday, 23 March 2017
Rusthall 1 Glebe 1
Match 110/16/1417 - Wednesday, 22nd March 2017 - SCEFL1
Rusthall (1) 1 Mitchell 45
Glebe (1) 1 Tobon 16
Attendance: 268
Entrance: £2 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 46/7,610
Match Report
It appears that a fascinating contest for the SCEFL1 title is destined for Glebe as they came and went home happy with a point from this top-of-the-table encounter at Jockey Farm.
This match was originally scheduled for a couple of weeks ago but was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. One wonders how many people might have attended that night as this fixture perhaps had the edge taken off it with successive defeats for Rusthall and the competition of Germany v England one terrestrial television. As it was, a record 268 people were willing to turn their back on a meaningless international friendly to watch a game that was always competitive with Rusthall probably feeling the more aggrieved not to collect the full three points.
A cagey opening was a foretaste of the game to unfold as neither side really created anything of note in the opening 15 minutes, but a long punt through the middle from Glebe’s James Day sent Andreas Tobon clear and one-on-one with the Rusthall goalkeeper, Callum Christie. The Glebe man showed great composure to round the keeper and finish into the empty goal.
Playing up the sizeable slope, Rusthall worked their way back into the game but were struggling to create any clear chances. Glebe, however, did create a couple that might have wrapped up the game before the break. Day capitalised on a poor clearance from Christie but shot wide and after 38 minutes, Rusthall’s Luke Stratford saw yellow when he thwarted a Glebe breakaway with a professional foul.
Rusthall, though, deserved their equaliser that came on the stroke of half-time. Dan Mitchell, who won headers all evening, finally got a cross of quality to work with from John Phillips and buried his header past Adam Molloy, who seemed to go down to save in stages.
Certainly knowing that a point would not be much use to them, Rusthall made a concerted effort to win the game in the second period. Within two minutes of the restart Mitchell mis-kicked in front of goal with Phillips blasting the second attempt over the bar.
All the chances fell Rusthall’s way until the 71st minute when Glebe were awarded a penalty when Ryan Golding was brought down by John Lord. The resultant spot kick was crashed against the bar by Aaron Jeffrey. The penalty award appeared harsh so perhaps justice was served.
Rusthall staged a late rally but never really threatened which made it all the more perplexing when Molloy got so vexed over the awarding of a corner that he earned himself a yellow and then talked his way to a red following the final whistle.
With talk that both K Sports and Kent Football United will be denied promotion through differing reasons of ground grading, it is quite probable that both of these sides will eventually find their way into the Southern Counties East Premier.
As a senior citizen, I only paid £2 plus a quid for a very decent programme and another quid for a cuppa. Blooming good value for a night's entertainment.
Rusthall (1) 1 Mitchell 45
Glebe (1) 1 Tobon 16
Attendance: 268
Entrance: £2 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 46/7,610
Match Report
This match was originally scheduled for a couple of weeks ago but was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. One wonders how many people might have attended that night as this fixture perhaps had the edge taken off it with successive defeats for Rusthall and the competition of Germany v England one terrestrial television. As it was, a record 268 people were willing to turn their back on a meaningless international friendly to watch a game that was always competitive with Rusthall probably feeling the more aggrieved not to collect the full three points.
A cagey opening was a foretaste of the game to unfold as neither side really created anything of note in the opening 15 minutes, but a long punt through the middle from Glebe’s James Day sent Andreas Tobon clear and one-on-one with the Rusthall goalkeeper, Callum Christie. The Glebe man showed great composure to round the keeper and finish into the empty goal.
Playing up the sizeable slope, Rusthall worked their way back into the game but were struggling to create any clear chances. Glebe, however, did create a couple that might have wrapped up the game before the break. Day capitalised on a poor clearance from Christie but shot wide and after 38 minutes, Rusthall’s Luke Stratford saw yellow when he thwarted a Glebe breakaway with a professional foul.
Rusthall, though, deserved their equaliser that came on the stroke of half-time. Dan Mitchell, who won headers all evening, finally got a cross of quality to work with from John Phillips and buried his header past Adam Molloy, who seemed to go down to save in stages.
Certainly knowing that a point would not be much use to them, Rusthall made a concerted effort to win the game in the second period. Within two minutes of the restart Mitchell mis-kicked in front of goal with Phillips blasting the second attempt over the bar.
All the chances fell Rusthall’s way until the 71st minute when Glebe were awarded a penalty when Ryan Golding was brought down by John Lord. The resultant spot kick was crashed against the bar by Aaron Jeffrey. The penalty award appeared harsh so perhaps justice was served.
Rusthall staged a late rally but never really threatened which made it all the more perplexing when Molloy got so vexed over the awarding of a corner that he earned himself a yellow and then talked his way to a red following the final whistle.
With talk that both K Sports and Kent Football United will be denied promotion through differing reasons of ground grading, it is quite probable that both of these sides will eventually find their way into the Southern Counties East Premier.
As a senior citizen, I only paid £2 plus a quid for a very decent programme and another quid for a cuppa. Blooming good value for a night's entertainment.
Friday, 8 July 2016
Rusthall 0 Tunbridge Wells 1
Match 02/16/1310 - Tuesday, 5th July 2016 - Pre-Season Friendly
Rusthall (0) 0
Tunbridge Wells (1) 1 Atkins 39
Attendance: 240
Entrance: £3
Programme: None issued
Mileage: 38/114
Match Report
In conversation with Tunbridge Wells’ supporters prior to the game there is a sense of optimism for the coming season that they will see a great improvement (albeit they were a beer or two to the good!). Of course, a case can be made that it could hardly get any worse but, with a new chairman set to take over the reins after the AGM in a couple of weeks’ time, there is good reason to believe that a fresh start is precisely what the club needs.
The recurring theme of those conversations was that nobody wanted to see a repeat of the revolving door of players that hallmarked last season. Jason Bourne has retained the nucleus of the squad that finished the season and made some useful additions that suggests that they will be challenging in the top half of the Southern Counties East this season at the very least.
For this first pre-season run-out, both clubs fielded different teams for each half with the Wells playing a mixture of senior and under-21 players, who, without any team sheet produced, were unknown to the majority of supporters.
Only one player, Rusthall’s goalkeeper, Sean Ingleson, who had a very decent game, played the full 90 minutes.
Tunbridge Wells dominate proceedings in the first half although it was Rusthall who brought the first save from Ryan Chandler when he clawed the ball away from the top corner following a shot from the ex-Tunbridge Wells player, John Sinclair.
Impressing in midfield for the Wells was Ollie Bankole, who similarly saw a shot destined for the top corner saved by Ingleson. Bankole was considered to be a good prospect as a youngster at Tonbridge but has drifted a little from club to club. I get the impression that he needs to be loved at a club.
Ultimately the winning goal was scored after 39 minutes with a thumping header by Richard Atkins, very reminiscent of Wales’ Sam Vokes' goal that had seen off Belgium a couple of days earlier. Atkins is a burly striker that, with the right service, could prove to be a real handful for SCEL defenders. The peach of a cross supplied by Bradley Large is exactly the type of service that he is going to need. It will be interesting to see how Bourne is going to utilise his strikers as Ryan Crandley is going to require a completely different type of service from that of Atkins, utilising his pace with balls put behind the opposition back four for him to run on to.
The second half introduction of Joe Nwoko showed the strike power that the manager has at his disposal. Nwoko, with his pace, caused the Rusthall defence a lot of problems but a second goal failed to materialise.
Rusthall have installed floodlights since my last visit with some covered seating along one side; whilst the access for parking has been greatly improved. With a new management team in place they also will be looking for an improvement on the pitch after a poor season last time.
Rusthall (0) 0
Tunbridge Wells (1) 1 Atkins 39
Attendance: 240
Entrance: £3
Programme: None issued
Mileage: 38/114
Match Report
In conversation with Tunbridge Wells’ supporters prior to the game there is a sense of optimism for the coming season that they will see a great improvement (albeit they were a beer or two to the good!). Of course, a case can be made that it could hardly get any worse but, with a new chairman set to take over the reins after the AGM in a couple of weeks’ time, there is good reason to believe that a fresh start is precisely what the club needs.
The recurring theme of those conversations was that nobody wanted to see a repeat of the revolving door of players that hallmarked last season. Jason Bourne has retained the nucleus of the squad that finished the season and made some useful additions that suggests that they will be challenging in the top half of the Southern Counties East this season at the very least.
For this first pre-season run-out, both clubs fielded different teams for each half with the Wells playing a mixture of senior and under-21 players, who, without any team sheet produced, were unknown to the majority of supporters.
Only one player, Rusthall’s goalkeeper, Sean Ingleson, who had a very decent game, played the full 90 minutes.
Tunbridge Wells dominate proceedings in the first half although it was Rusthall who brought the first save from Ryan Chandler when he clawed the ball away from the top corner following a shot from the ex-Tunbridge Wells player, John Sinclair.
Impressing in midfield for the Wells was Ollie Bankole, who similarly saw a shot destined for the top corner saved by Ingleson. Bankole was considered to be a good prospect as a youngster at Tonbridge but has drifted a little from club to club. I get the impression that he needs to be loved at a club.
Ultimately the winning goal was scored after 39 minutes with a thumping header by Richard Atkins, very reminiscent of Wales’ Sam Vokes' goal that had seen off Belgium a couple of days earlier. Atkins is a burly striker that, with the right service, could prove to be a real handful for SCEL defenders. The peach of a cross supplied by Bradley Large is exactly the type of service that he is going to need. It will be interesting to see how Bourne is going to utilise his strikers as Ryan Crandley is going to require a completely different type of service from that of Atkins, utilising his pace with balls put behind the opposition back four for him to run on to.
The second half introduction of Joe Nwoko showed the strike power that the manager has at his disposal. Nwoko, with his pace, caused the Rusthall defence a lot of problems but a second goal failed to materialise.
Rusthall have installed floodlights since my last visit with some covered seating along one side; whilst the access for parking has been greatly improved. With a new management team in place they also will be looking for an improvement on the pitch after a poor season last time.
Wednesday, 9 July 2014
Rusthall 2 Tunbridge Wells 3
Match 01/14/1110 - Tuesday, 8th July 2014 - Pre-Season Friendly
Rusthall (0) 2 Parsons 50, Carey 60
Tunbridge Wells (0) 3 Powell 51, Beaton, Cass
Att. 162
Entrance: £2
Programme: None
Mileage: 44/44
I’ve enjoyed this World Cup, it has had far more good games than bad and some have been downright thrilling. The United States throwing everything and the kitchen sink at Belgium, the agony of the Swiss as they hit the post in the last throw of the dice against Argentina and the bewilderment of Spain’s capitulation to Holland in the group stages all produced magnificent memories alongside many more. Never mind that England were the fall guys of the tournament, those three games taught us nothing that the majority of people didn’t know already.
Despite there being two semis, a dead rubber and a Final still to be played, it was time to lever the backside off the sofa and get Season 2014-15 underway with a pre-season friendly at Jockey Farm for Tunbridge Wells’ visit to Rusthall.
Quite often pre-season, games are interrupted midway through the half for a water break as the players battle with a hot summer’s day. Not so on this occasion as a torrential downpour led to flooding en-route to the game and a delay of 15 minutes to the kick-off as the deluge continued. All of which was a bit of a nuisance, because despite wanting time away from the sofa, I still wanted to be home and back in said position for the mouth-watering prospect of the host Brazil versus an ominously threatening German side.
With no programme or team sheet to aid the identification of the new players donning the red shirts of Tunbridge Wells, the opening minutes were consumed with the task of getting to know who was who, with not complete success I would hasten to add.
The one thing that became apparent and not a little disconcerting is that there has been a big turnover of players at Culverden this summer, something that has gone largely unreported. Lewis Mingle’s departure to Hythe was known, as was Andy Irvine’s departure from the club, but not his destination. The list of players not on show at Rusthall and, shall we say, their rumoured destinations, amount to Chris Oladogba, who has seemingly retired, Scott Whibley who has joined Rochester United, Jon Pilbeam who has decamped to VCD whilst Irvine has ended up at Ashford. Andy McMath has left the club whilst Chris Seenan’s absence was hopefully nothing more than unavailability.
It does appear that there is a lot of money swilling around the Southern Counties East League with Greenwich signing Gary Alexander, fresh from the Football League. Ashford and Sevenoaks also, seemingly, with cash to fund a promotion push. Add the unknown element of Lingfield and Crowborough and the sense is that this League is going to be even tougher to get out of this season.
The first half was a struggle as players got to know each other as much as we were getting to know them. New signing Brendan Cass was partnered by Danny Powell as the pair battled for scraps in Rusthall’s territory. Nick Barnes was positioned in central midfield rather than the winger that we were used to seeing in his Longmead days. He put himself about and certainly can be expected to do a job at SCEL level.
The second half saw Rusthall taking an early lead through Matt Parsons but seeing it immediately cancelled out when a shot from outside of the box by the unknown left back taking a heavy deflection off Powell leading the home keeper stranded. Alex Carey restored the home side’s lead on the hour mark with a well hit shot low to Steve Lawrence’s left and into the corner of the net.
At this point, 65 minutes in, it was time to depart for home to claim my seat on the sofa for the World Cup Semi Final and what transpired left me open-mouthed and staring at the box in total disbelief.
When Thomas Mueller put the Germans ahead on 11 minutes my immediate thought was that now we will see what the Brazilians are made of, having been unconvincing throughout the tournament. Nowhere, even inside a vivid imagination that I do not possess, did I foresee the six minutes between the 23rd and 29th minutes happening at Jockey Farm earlier, let alone the Semi Final of the World Cup. The Germans scythed their way through inept defending to register a five goal lead by the half-hour mark. It was jaw-dropping, in some ways it was heart-breaking to watch Brazil being ruthlessly demolished. Most of all, it was literally bizarre. These things just do not happen, especially not to Brazil. With the game over, two more goals were added in the second half to complete the humiliation as a nation wept.
Meanwhile, in my absence at Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells showed at least a modicum of resilience that the Brazilians would have done well to possess with goals from Tolly Beaton and Brendan Cass earning a 3-2 victory.
Season 2014-15 is underway, but in the coming 10 months, nothing is going to astound me quite like the TV viewing of Brazil’s horror show.
Nick Barnes
Rusthall (0) 2 Parsons 50, Carey 60
Tunbridge Wells (0) 3 Powell 51, Beaton, Cass
Att. 162
Entrance: £2
Programme: None
Mileage: 44/44
I’ve enjoyed this World Cup, it has had far more good games than bad and some have been downright thrilling. The United States throwing everything and the kitchen sink at Belgium, the agony of the Swiss as they hit the post in the last throw of the dice against Argentina and the bewilderment of Spain’s capitulation to Holland in the group stages all produced magnificent memories alongside many more. Never mind that England were the fall guys of the tournament, those three games taught us nothing that the majority of people didn’t know already.
Despite there being two semis, a dead rubber and a Final still to be played, it was time to lever the backside off the sofa and get Season 2014-15 underway with a pre-season friendly at Jockey Farm for Tunbridge Wells’ visit to Rusthall.
Quite often pre-season, games are interrupted midway through the half for a water break as the players battle with a hot summer’s day. Not so on this occasion as a torrential downpour led to flooding en-route to the game and a delay of 15 minutes to the kick-off as the deluge continued. All of which was a bit of a nuisance, because despite wanting time away from the sofa, I still wanted to be home and back in said position for the mouth-watering prospect of the host Brazil versus an ominously threatening German side.
With no programme or team sheet to aid the identification of the new players donning the red shirts of Tunbridge Wells, the opening minutes were consumed with the task of getting to know who was who, with not complete success I would hasten to add.
The one thing that became apparent and not a little disconcerting is that there has been a big turnover of players at Culverden this summer, something that has gone largely unreported. Lewis Mingle’s departure to Hythe was known, as was Andy Irvine’s departure from the club, but not his destination. The list of players not on show at Rusthall and, shall we say, their rumoured destinations, amount to Chris Oladogba, who has seemingly retired, Scott Whibley who has joined Rochester United, Jon Pilbeam who has decamped to VCD whilst Irvine has ended up at Ashford. Andy McMath has left the club whilst Chris Seenan’s absence was hopefully nothing more than unavailability.
It does appear that there is a lot of money swilling around the Southern Counties East League with Greenwich signing Gary Alexander, fresh from the Football League. Ashford and Sevenoaks also, seemingly, with cash to fund a promotion push. Add the unknown element of Lingfield and Crowborough and the sense is that this League is going to be even tougher to get out of this season.
The first half was a struggle as players got to know each other as much as we were getting to know them. New signing Brendan Cass was partnered by Danny Powell as the pair battled for scraps in Rusthall’s territory. Nick Barnes was positioned in central midfield rather than the winger that we were used to seeing in his Longmead days. He put himself about and certainly can be expected to do a job at SCEL level.
The second half saw Rusthall taking an early lead through Matt Parsons but seeing it immediately cancelled out when a shot from outside of the box by the unknown left back taking a heavy deflection off Powell leading the home keeper stranded. Alex Carey restored the home side’s lead on the hour mark with a well hit shot low to Steve Lawrence’s left and into the corner of the net.
At this point, 65 minutes in, it was time to depart for home to claim my seat on the sofa for the World Cup Semi Final and what transpired left me open-mouthed and staring at the box in total disbelief.
When Thomas Mueller put the Germans ahead on 11 minutes my immediate thought was that now we will see what the Brazilians are made of, having been unconvincing throughout the tournament. Nowhere, even inside a vivid imagination that I do not possess, did I foresee the six minutes between the 23rd and 29th minutes happening at Jockey Farm earlier, let alone the Semi Final of the World Cup. The Germans scythed their way through inept defending to register a five goal lead by the half-hour mark. It was jaw-dropping, in some ways it was heart-breaking to watch Brazil being ruthlessly demolished. Most of all, it was literally bizarre. These things just do not happen, especially not to Brazil. With the game over, two more goals were added in the second half to complete the humiliation as a nation wept.
Meanwhile, in my absence at Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells showed at least a modicum of resilience that the Brazilians would have done well to possess with goals from Tolly Beaton and Brendan Cass earning a 3-2 victory.
Season 2014-15 is underway, but in the coming 10 months, nothing is going to astound me quite like the TV viewing of Brazil’s horror show.
Saturday, 7 July 2012
Rusthall 1 Sevenoaks Town 3
Match 01/12/954 - Saturday, 7 July 2012 - Pre-Season Friendly
Rusthall (0) 1
Sevenoaks Town (2) 3 Johnson 9, Balogun 35, Akosa 42
Att. 60
Entrance: Free
Programme: None produced
Mileage: 36/36
New Ground: 250
Match Report
Appetite firmly whetted by an enjoyable, if not from an England perspective, Euro 2012 and without club football for nine weeks, an early to start to pre-season at Kent Invicta League Rusthall’s Jockey Farm was too tempting to turn down. Sevenoaks Town provided the opposition, whilst the home club provided free admission for the afternoon’s entertainment. This was my first visit to Jockey Farm, a ground that could be seen from the lounge on the upper floor of Rusthall Lodge where my Dad had been a resident. This was my 250th ground visited and a first whereby you enter the ground to be faced with horses hanging their heads over their stable doors. The drive to the car park takes you through the covered spectator enclosure to a parking space pitchside. Once parked, there is a nice clubhouse where the welcome was a warm one. There were few groundhoppers in evidence who took pictures of the Rusthall crest carved into the bar counter and although no actual match programme was produced the gentleman behind the bar, who might well have been the chairman of the club, handed out old programmes, of which I was a grateful recipient.
The match itself was played on the home club’s second pitch to save the playing surface of the main ground. As this was only my second dip into Kent Invicta League grounds I don’t know the standard of pitches in use, but this second pitch looked a bit of a cabbage patch. The game was played in three 30 minute periods with unlimited substitutions. The ending of the first period was met with confusion, not least from the referee who was unaware of the timing agreement. Indicative of the summer we have experienced, several brisk rain showers were endured.
Sevenoaks Town, under the returning management of Simon Jones, were much the better side for the first two periods as their higher status would suggest. A near post header and an angled drive from 20 yards had them in charge of the game before a fabulous hit from 25 yards into the top corner provided the outstanding moment of the game. Rusthall scored a consolation goal before the end that was well deserved for their competitive nature.
So season 2012-13 gets underway with what was almost a social gathering of a few old faces exchanging news of departing and incoming players of our local clubs in front of a couple of teams that served up some decent entertainment.
Rusthall (0) 1
Sevenoaks Town (2) 3 Johnson 9, Balogun 35, Akosa 42
Att. 60
Entrance: Free
Programme: None produced
Mileage: 36/36
New Ground: 250
Match Report
The match itself was played on the home club’s second pitch to save the playing surface of the main ground. As this was only my second dip into Kent Invicta League grounds I don’t know the standard of pitches in use, but this second pitch looked a bit of a cabbage patch. The game was played in three 30 minute periods with unlimited substitutions. The ending of the first period was met with confusion, not least from the referee who was unaware of the timing agreement. Indicative of the summer we have experienced, several brisk rain showers were endured.
Sevenoaks Town, under the returning management of Simon Jones, were much the better side for the first two periods as their higher status would suggest. A near post header and an angled drive from 20 yards had them in charge of the game before a fabulous hit from 25 yards into the top corner provided the outstanding moment of the game. Rusthall scored a consolation goal before the end that was well deserved for their competitive nature.
So season 2012-13 gets underway with what was almost a social gathering of a few old faces exchanging news of departing and incoming players of our local clubs in front of a couple of teams that served up some decent entertainment.
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