An entertaining clash between two of the favourites for the SCEFL Premier Division ended, for the second time in two seasons, with a 2-1 win for Rusthall thanks to a very late goal, this time from new signing, Lekan Osideko. While ‘The Fish’ didn’t quite manage to batter the Rustics, there was certainly plenty of salt on show as certain members of the Fisher contingent found it rather difficult to deal with the Rusthall celebrations at the end of this closely-fought contest.
Rusthall began with the same starting line-up that beat Knaphill in the FA Cup last week, with Robbie Bissett lining up alongside Frank Griffin despite a slight injury worry- he would go on to put in another commanding performance at centre-half, leading his team with his customary class and poise. Fisher made a bright start to the game and will have felt slightly aggrieved to have an early goal chalked off- a ball played over to the back post was bundled across the line seemingly before Serine Sanneh could scoop it clear, but a foul in the build up meant that any disagreement over whether the ball crossed the line or not was rendered irrelevant. Rusthall made the most of this early let-off by going up the other end and taking the lead. Yassin Fares fed the ball inside to Thompson Adeyemi who immediately moved it into the path of Jack Kirby who glided forward, cast the ball under his spell and, in the absence of any meaningful challenge, hammered the ball into the bottom corner leaving the keeper with no chance.
Fisher are not a team who will roll over or panic at being behind, and they kept themselves in the game with precise passing and constant threat up front, especially from the impressive Euan Mutale. It was Mutale who drew Fisher level after good work from Temi Alaka down the right who squared the ball for Fisher’s Number 10 who guided the ball past Sanneh for 1-1. At half time, both teams will have been satisfied with their work but perhaps looking to be a bit more clinical in order to take the points.
Rusthall began the second half stronger without really creating much. Yassin Fares was offered absolutely no protection from the referee who seemed content to allow constant fouling of Rusthall’s mercurial winger. On the other side, Josh Reid was running riot, constantly leaving his full-back for dead, and looking to deliver with quality. Jeffrey Njuguna and Thompson Adeyemi- whose superb bicycle kick won the corresponding fixture late-on last season- had the midfield under control, and Rahman Kareem was looking to venture forward whenever possible. Fisher grew into the game once again and had a great chance to take the lead when Donald Macauley found himself 3 yards out with the goal gaping- his effort was more akin to a clearance however, and the ball sailed way over the bar.
It seemed a draw would be the result and if it had been, no one could have complained as an entertaining match between two good sides drew to its conclusion. By this time, Christian Lawal had replaced Adeyemi and once again showed the strength and composure which will make him a key member of the team this season. Dan Atta, scorer of the final goal last week, looked a threat down the left and it was from good work from him that Fisher found themselves pinned back as injury time ticked by. With the team able to play so high up the pitch, Serine Sanneh ventured forward to receive the ball and fed Frank Griffin who looked up to choose a target. Lekan Osideko, who moments before had only just missed a chance to force the ball home for the winner, had managed to find a yard but picking him out seemed unlikely in a packed penalty area. Frank Griffin, however, with years of experience, and undoubted ability, played an inch-perfect pass which was brilliantly controlled by Osideko. With goalkeeper and defenders converging, Rusthall’s new striker certainly still had work to do- his clever flicked finish beat any attempt to stop him and the three points were Rusthall’s. The final whistle just moments later brought great joy for the Rustics as they celebrated an important win. Jeffrey Njuguna claimed the Man-of-the-Match award for the third game in a row for another display of control from midfield but the fact that Josh Reid, Robbie Bissett and Frank Griffin could all justifiably lay claim to the champagne tells of an impressive all-round performance from a team growing nicely into the season.
Next up, a trip to Corinthian in the league before a home FA Cup tie against Sheppey United where Jimmy Anderson will be keen for the fans to play their part in what could be another cracking day at Jockey Farm

- Simon Howe

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