In a replay of the Challenge Cup Final of just over two weeks ago, Rusthall once again won by four goals, comfortably beating Bearsted 5-1 to get their playoff push back on track. After losing to already-relegated Stansfeld on Tuesday evening, the pressure was on for Rusthall to win- a defeat would have given Bearsted a great chance of ousting the Rustics from the top spots, but victory- alongside Larkfield’s draw against Fisher- means Rusthall are now well placed going into the last two games of the season.

Rusthall were grateful to Frank Griffin who made himself available despite an injury suffered in the previous game- he was at his best in the middle of the pitch where nothing got past him all game. Cup final hero Josh Reid was on the bench but not quite ready for this one having been kicked off the park at The Culverden on Easter Monday- Bearsted right back, Sam Flisher, will have been grateful to see his name missing from the starting eleven- little did he know, Reuel Powell-Downey was ready to take Reid’s place and ready to cause similar levels of damage to a Bearsted backline ill-equipped to deal with the threat of Jimmy Anderson’s rampant Rustics.

In contrast to Tuesday evening, the Rusthall faithful were in fine voice, as they had been at the cup final and at Tunbridge Wells recently. This buoyant support drove Rusthall forward and within two minutes, they had the lead. When Robbie Bissett received the ball on the edge of his box, he could easily have chosen to hoof the ball away to safety but this is a player well engrained in the Anderson way- and so, he calmly played the ball to the feet of Reuel Powell-Downey, another who has played for the popular Rusthall boss for many years. He swept the ball to the opposite flank where Louie Clarke was waiting- his hooked ball forward fell perfectly into the path of the onrushing Jack Kirby who was able to let the ball bounce twice and take a steadying touch before drilling homean unstoppable shot across the goalkeeper who had no chance at all. Bearsted were rocked- no doubt memories of Flamingo Park were present in their minds- and they were unable to muster any threat on Serine Sanneh’s goal.

Charlie Clover doubled the lead for Rusthall on 13 minutes after the ball went out for a throw-in following more good work from Powell-Downey. The throw was taken quickly, catching Bearsted napping, and Louis Anderson swung in a superb cross onto the head of Clover who had work to do to guide the ball into the far corner- work he completed with devastating effectiveness. Rusthall looked to have extended their lead shortly after when a cross/shot was fired in and spilt by the Bearsted keeper but without, apparently, the whole ball crossing the line. It wasn’t long until a third goal arrived however, and it was Man-of-the-Match Jack Kirby who got it. Louis Anderson played a major role in this one, and while he didn’t get another assist, it was from his full-blooded tacklethat Rusthall won the ball, Frank Griffin then nudging it forward to Powell-Downey who played a fantastic pass across to Kirby whose instant touch took him past his man. Having found space, Kirby smashed his shot into the roof of the net to give Rusthall a seemingly unassailable lead at the break.

Bearsted kept going though and early in the second half, they were able to score through a Jake Embery penalty awarded in controversial circumstances. A high, looped ball was won by the impressive Daniel Blunn, but the referee had seen something in Serine Sanneh’s attempt to win the ball that he didn’t like the look of- a quick chat with his linesman was fruitless and the penalty stood- Embery placed it to Sanneh’s left and it was 3-1.

A goal can change a game but unfortunately for Bearsted, on this occasion, it didn’t. Rusthall kept up their relentless pace and pressure- Blunn and Bissett won everything at the back, Rahman Kareem and Louis Anderson were threats in both halves of the pitch, Frank Griffin and Thompson Adeyemi had the middle of the park under control, and Charlie Clover was able to dominate Danny Keyte and Ryan Blake upfront. Louie Clarke had got an assist to his name, but was eager to add to his impressive goal tally for the season and he decided now was the time to do so, adding two to seal the win for Rusthall. Thompson Adeyemi was afforded too much space on the right and he was able to find Charlie Clover who bounced the ball off Jack Kirby, ending up in space from which he could easily have shot- instead, he played the ball through to Clarke who was, as ever, on the shoulder of the last man. Clarke’s control was instant, his finish typically unerring, and a comfortable lead was re-established.

For his second and Rusthall’s fifth, Clarke was grateful to the excellent Rahman Kareem who, just as he had done to set up Josh Reid’s second in the cup final, went on an adventurous run into attacking territory. Despite getting in a bit of a tangle, he won the ball back and fed Powell-Downey who exchanged passes with Kirby and bounded up the left channel before cutting the ball back to lay it on a plate for Clarke who was never going to miss.

Jimmy Anderson was able to make changes which gave players a rest in preparation for more huge games ahead while Bearsted knew the game was up. A glorious day in the spring sunshine drew to a close and all associated with Rusthall knew just how big a win that was. Key now will be making the most of the chance they have given themselves- Rusthall know what they need, the question is whether they can take the opportunity which evaded them last season. With the support on show today, and the desire to fight for the badge these players clearly possess, Jimmy Anderson will be hopeful going into two crucial games in the coming week.

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