A final 15-minute salvo rescued Rusthall’s FA Vase hopes as they finally prevailed 4-1 over an AFC Walcountians side who gave a very good showing for 75 minutes before capitulating in the face of a late onslaught which saw The Rustics through to the next round.
With Beckenham Town the visitors on Tuesday evening, Jimmy Anderson refreshed the team with Ben Sangare lining up at centre half and Frank Griffin returning to his usual midfield berth, Louis Anderson returning from injury to take up the left-back spot, and Louie Clarke slotting in on the right-hand side which brought him such success last season. The game began in nervy fashion for Rusthall with several misplaced passes and little threat going forward- AFC Walcountians on the other hand were popping the ball around nicely and looked far more settled. Tiwa Fajuamade wasn’t under much pressure thanks to Robbie Bissett’s consistent prowling, snuffing out danger quickly while ensuring his teammates knew the standards needed to be raised, but when the away side took the lead, few would argue it wasn’t deserved. When the ball was played through for the Walcountians attacker to run on to, Fujamade decided to come and stop the threat but rather clumsily took out his opponent and the referee had no doubt a spot kick was the right call. The penalty was despatched and Rusthall had work to do. A poor half came to an end and it looked like Rusthall’s lacklustre FA Vase form would continue- Jimmy Anderson and his coaching team had work to do to turn the match around.
The turning point in the game was certainly the substitutions made by Anderson who brought on Rajan Sahni, Yassin Fares, Jeffrey Njuguna, Christian Lawal and Daniel Atta, three of whom would score, and one- Christian Lawal- would go on to claim the Man-of-the-Match award. The equaliser came from Rajan Sahni on 74 minutes after a fantastic move from Rusthall. Louis Anderson retrieved the ball in the right-back area, played it inside to Robbie Bissett whose crisp pass found Jack Kirby. His layoff to Christian Lawal was immediately played through for Sahni to run on to- although the keeper got there first, his attempted clearance was blocked by Rusthall’s Number 11 and the bounce fell kindly to allow Sahni to knock the ball home to the relief of the crowd who found their voice once again. Seven minutes later, Rusthall were ahead- Rahman Kareem, now on the left-hand side, went on an adventurous run having been played through by Robbie Bissett-a run that could only be stopped by an illegal challenge which sent Kareem to the floor. A penalty was the result and when Yassin Fares picked up the ball, it was never in doubt that a goal would result. Fares calmly stroked home the penalty and all the fight AFC Walcountians had left was gone.
The third goal was something that will be treasured by those who were present- a real ‘I was there’ moment. Jeffrey Njuguna, a player who has given years of loyal service to the club, a player whose main work involves stifling attacks, throwing himself into tackles, and moving the ball simply and effectively, a player who once hit the bar from distance but otherwise has not really threatened the goal in an attacking sense in all his time at Rusthall, finally got his goal. Picking the ball up around 50 yards from goal, the popular number 6 strode forward and from 35 yards struck a venomous strike which was too hot to handle for the Walcountians keeper. Celebrations were wild as teammates, fans and staff alike showed how delighted they were for a player who deserves the plaudits his recent performances have merited.
The fourth goal followed soon after and this time, Rajan Sahni turned provider, playing a delightful ball over the top for Josh Reid to run on to. Following a strong performance throughout the game, Reid was fully deserving of his goal and he took it with typical composure, finishing low across the keeper.
Ultimately, the job was complete and a place in the next round is secured. While the first half of this one is something anyone who saw it will want to forget, the impressive comeback was something to behold and another positive in a season which is just getting going. Next up, a visit from Beckenham Town under the lights on Tuesday evening where Rusthall will look to make progress up the SCEFL Premier Division table.

- Simon Howe