Rusthall returned to winning ways with a dominant win over struggling Erith and Belvedere on a day where fans arriving at Jockey Farm were delighted to see the return of two names to the team sheet- Yassin Fares, and Charlie Clover. They would add the gloss to a superb performance by adding the last two goals, but before that, a display of high-quality had seen off any threat from the Deres who have now lost their last 7 games, and will be without defender, Stefan Wright, for some time after an incredible head loss saw him dismissed late on, raising his hands to the referee, and shoving a teenage fan on his way off the pitch.

With Fares and Clover on the bench, Rajan Sahni had the chance to build on his Man-of-the-Match performance last week and once again he showed what he is capable of with his constant attacking threat alongside Lekan Osideko and Louie Clarke. Claudio Boakye made his debut in goal and looked a class act throughout- the vocal fans sang early for a goalkeeper who played a big part in keeping a clean sheet with two brilliant saves in particular. Josh Reid was excellent all game- his class and poise on the ball was too much at times for a Deres side that looked short of ideas. Clarke would go closest in the first half when his effort at the back post hit the upright- Ronnie McClean’s cross was excellent but as the ball bounced up on Clarke, it was not an easy chance and it remained 0-0. Erith and Belvedere thought they had scored when their attacker cut in from the left and curled a well-taken shot towards the bottom corner, but Boakye was there to fling himself to his left and palm the ball clear. Rusthall were grateful for the calm defending of Louis Anderson who saw off a threatening run with typical composure but, those chances aside, Erith and Belvedere struggled to muster much of a threat on goal. Christian Lawal bossed the midfield and also went close to scoring but it looked like Erith and Belvedere had done enough to go into the break level.

Robbie Bissett, however, had other ideas. After his unfortunate own goal last week, he found a way to more than make up for it with a strike from distance that is unlikely to be beaten for quality all season. As soon as it left his boot, from around 30 yards out, the ball was destined for the top corner, and so it proved- the despairing dive of Sam Hocking, also on debut in goal, was fruitless, and the lead was Rusthall’s. In stoppage time at the end of the half, Lekan Osideko extended the lead to two with a superb goal. Josh Reid played the ball infield to Sahni who looked up and slotted a delightful through ball to Louie Clarke who saw the clever run of Osideko and neatly flicked the ball perfectly into his fellow striker’s path. Osideko took the ball in his stride and placed his shot into the far corner- a top class goal from a striker who now has 3 goals in his last 3 games, and 5 in 12 in total.

The second half belonged entirely to Rusthall with the only threat to Boakye’s goal a well-taken freekick from the impressive Jack Sammoutis. Claudio Boakye saved brilliantly however, stepping across and diving superbly to claw the ball away. Reid and Sahni continued to pull the strings for the Rustics, before the entrance of Yassin Fares and Charlie Clover raised the volume in the ground even further. Robbie Bissett almost grabbed his second and Rusthall’s third with a towering header which was, in fairness, brilliantly saved by Hocking. Bissett played a role in the third however, as he won the freekick wide on the left which was drilled in by Yassin Fares- Bissett stepped across bringing his marker with him and deceiving Hocking entirely. The ball was missed by everyone and nestled in the corner to bring yet another goal for Yassin Fares.

The icing on the cake for Rusthall was a goal for the returning Charlie Clover, whose heart has remained in Rusthall despite a short trip elsewhere. The goal came from Erith and Belvedere being unable to beat the press which, even on 90 minutes, remained strong, with Frank Griffin- fresh from the bench- at its heart to win the ball back to help secure the 4th goal. Yassin Fares cleverly cut out the attempted pass from the player under pressure from Griffin and the ball ran through perfectly for Clover who was never going to miss- his confidently-taken strike a deserved 4th for a Rusthall team who could well have won by a bigger margin.

While most of the Erith and Belvedere players kept going and attempted to show some pride- most noticeably Freddie Baker on his 100th appearance for the club- experienced defender, Stefan Wright, unfortunately let them down with an horrendous high tackle from behind on Ben Sangare who had come on in midfield to good effect. A challenge which had no interest in winning the ball was quite rightly eventually punished by a red card- worse was to come from Wright who first pushed the referee away, and then shoved a teenage supporter while he was being ushered back to the dressing room. This appalling behaviour from an experienced player will surely lead to further punishment, but failed to take away from an excellent afternoon for Rusthall. Robbie Bissett picked up the Man-of-the-Match prize for a great performance- one feels Josh Reid and Louis Anderson won’t have been far behind.

Three points takes Rusthall up to 6th in a league which is very tight indeed, and with no league game for three weeks, the Rustics find themselves in a strong position. Next up, a trip to Fleet Town in the FA Vase, before a home Kent Senior Trophy tie against Phoenix Sports who comfortably beat Tunbridge Wells 5-1 yesterday.

Simon Howe