Rusthall took another important step towards full readiness for the resumption of the season with a 6-0 win over Otford United in Saturday’s friendly at The Jockey Farm Stadium.

The starting line-up included Stephen Camacho playing in midfield and Daniel Kommu at left back - both were hugely impressive throughout the game. An attacking approach saw all four of Danny Lear, Jefferson Aibangbee, Sid Sollis and Cameron Gyeabour on the team sheet.

Perhaps because there were no fans in attendance, the Rustics were a little slow to get going - they dominated possession from the off but struggled initially to create any moments of real danger. Sid Sollis certainly made his presence felt with some lively link-up play to terrorise the Otford defenders, and some words of advice for the referee and his assistants when he felt the decisions hadn't gone his way.

The main threat in the first half came down the left, with Jefferson Aibangbee showing determination to run at the defence which he did successfully time and time again. Ed Jonas, whose composure and calming influence helped to dominate the middle of the park, shot from distance but it was always heading wide. Not discouraged, he tried again, more accurately this time. His fine effort was too hot to handle and fell to Callum Naessens who blasted over when it seemed easier to score. Next to threaten was Aibangbee who once again crossed, this time between Lear and Gyeabour and into the keeper's arms.

Danny Lear forced a great opportunity with tenacious running and a cross/shot which fell to the back post where unfortunately Sollis and Aibangbee rather got in each other's way. Half chances kept coming. The young Otford goalkeeper was impressive in keeping out strikes from Sollis and Louis Anderson when both were in good positions, and a few efforts on goal were only narrowly wide. Just as it seemed the opening goal would have to wait until the second half, Camacho's shot from outside the area was blocked on the line before falling to the feet of Aibangbee who couldn't, and didn't, miss. It was no more than the home side deserved and led to a spirited end to the half, particularly from Reuel Powell-Downey who had come on earlier. One defender was so blown away by his pace as he sprinted past him, he couldn't help but shout, 'My word, you're quick!' ('his word' being unprintable for a family audience)

Rusthall started the second half in a lively fashion - sharp passing and good movement all over the pitch led to a corner which was whipped in by Charlie Clover and only half cleared. Steve Camacho again tried his luck from range and his shot was blocked by the hand of an Otford defender. Powell-Downey stepped up to take the resulting penalty but unfortunately skewed his effort wide of the post. Callum Naessens went close with a header from a corner which was cleared off the line and Powell-Downey's next shot was well blocked with the keeper in real trouble. Momentum was building and the next goal wasn't far away. Charlie Clover got it with a fine run through the defence, waiting for the perfect time to strike - when he did, it was unstoppable and low into the corner.

By this point, Matt Bailey was a complete spectator in goal, although he was well positioned to mop up when needed. The third goal was all down to sheer determination from Danny Lear. He took the direct route straight through four or five defenders and although he was buffeted, barged, pushed, tripped and forced to stumble, he still manged to hook the ball past the keeper. The fourth goal was a bit of a mystery - Ed Jonas played in Powell-Downey with a lovely pass and the winger bore down on goal, striking a curling shot against the post. Danny Lear forced the ball over the line but the linesman was flagging - but for what, no one was really sure. A quick discussion led to the goal being given and Otford were visibly flagging.

Danny Lear had a few presentable opportunities to seal his hattrick but it just wouldn't happen for him - a combination of the ball bobbling at the wrong moment, and more impressive shot-stopping from the Otford keeper kept him out. The fifth goal came from another corner- this time it was Cameron Gyeabour benefitting from time and space in the box to control the ball and smash it into the top corner from 8 yards out. The scoring was completed from the penalty spot after Danny Lear was fouled having been played in brilliantly by Charlie Clover. Reuel Powell-Downey, keen to make up for his earlier miss, once again stepped up and this time made no mistake.

With the prospect of both the league season resuming, and fans returning, Jimmy Anderson and his players will be hoping that this win will help the team get back to the good run of form they were on before the latest lockdown and Tier 3 restrictions were introduced.