A dominant Rusthall claimed local bragging rights for the third time this season with a comfortable 2-1 win over a Tunbridge Wells side who failed to replicate their recent form- instead, Steve Ives and his team came crashing down to Earth on a day where Rusthall showed their superiority in a game where they carried on where had they left off on Good Friday with victory over Bearsted. Off the back of that fantastic Challenge Cup win, Rusthall were in no mood to allow a team who have only recently escaped the prospect of relegation to spoil their Easter, and Robbie Bissett, Frankie Griffin and co provided the gloss on a huge weekend for all in green and white.

Jimmy Anderson was forced into changes with Rahman Kareem and Jesse Hammond missing, meaning two new fullbacks were required. No problem- up stepped Jeffrey Njuguna and Louis Anderson, and with over 250 appearances in the green and white between them, the vocal Rusthall fans were safe in the knowledge the backline was secure. Thompson Adeyemi came back in to the middle- his Man of the Match performance in which he dominated the midfield alongside the ever-reliable Frank Griffin just one of many standout performances amongst the Rusthall players.

From the off, Rusthall were on top and it was only the fact that it was in the opening 20 seconds of the game that a Tunbridge Wells player wasn’t booked as they failed to deal with the threat of cup final hero Josh Reid who was hauled to the ground almost immediately. Following on from 90 minutes of solid singing, chanting and celebrating on Good Friday, the Rusthall fans were given early cause for more of the same when Jack Kirby was played in behind the flagging Wells defence after 12 minutes- Charlie Clover it was who held the ball up expertly before turning and playing the perfect ball through. Kirby was in on goal and he rolled the ball home through the legs of George Bentley with supreme confidence and Rusthall were ahead. Tunbridge Wells looked fairly clueless in response with perhaps their best players, D’Armando Lawrence and Daika Montague, inexplicably left on the bench. While they came into the game to a certain extent, Frank Griffin and Thompson Adeyemi were barely troubled in the middle and it was always Rusthall who looked in control of the game. When the ball did approach the Rusthall box, Daniel Blunn and Robbie Bissett were there to clear, keeping Lucas Murrain a mere spectator in a game which entirely passed him by. Only slightly less effective was Rhys Bartlett, somehow still getting a start, stationed on the left and firmly in Jeff Njuguna’s pocket.

Both sets of players headed to the changing rooms at the break with the Rustics one goal to the good- for the fans, a dreaded trip to the facilities which, to be fair to the hosts, were in marginally better condition than they were last season. The opening minutes of the second half suggested the game would follow a similar pattern and so it proved when after eight minutes, the lead was doubled. Fine work in the attacking third from Reid and then Clover again led to Jack Kirby bearing down on goal with a chance to get a second- he made the selfless choice to roll the ball across to Louie Clarke who had the simple task of finishing into an empty net. The Wells fans who had berated Clarke throughout were perhaps sensible to remain silent for the rest of the game.

One may have expected the home side to show some endeavour, an attempt to get back into the game, but the supposed crowd of over 800 which was about 300 more than were actually in attendance would be disappointed- Rusthall remained on top and were able to make changes. Josh Reid, Jack Kirby, Charlie Clover and Louie Clarke were replaced by Reuel Powell-Downey, Yassin Fares, Ayodeji Owoeye and Victor Aiye, who once again showed that he has all the ability to fit into this exciting squad and make a difference in the remaining games of the season. The Wells fans were able to raise a little excitement when Ollie Hyland headed home with four minutes remaining, but despite a whiff of getting something from the game, they remained unmoved and out-sung by a Rusthall away following who were enjoying themselves once again. At the end of eight minutes of added time in which Tunbridge Wells failed to do anything of note, the final whistle blew and the Rustics were able to celebrate a win which cements their place in the playoff hunt, while all but ending any hopes Tunbridge Wells had of sneaking in.

An unbelievable Easter weekend comes to a close and all associated with Rusthall could surely have asked for nothing more. With five league games remaining, and a trophy securely in the cabinet at Jockey Farm, Rusthall will be looking forward with great hope.

Next up, a trip to Chislehurst Glebe on Saturday- the first of another five cup finals for the Rustics.

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