Following a forgettable February, Rusthall got their season back on track with an impressive 2-1 win over a strong Larkfield and New Hythe side which saw the Rustics progress to the final of the SCEFL Challenge Cup. In a real game of two halves, Rusthall found themselves trailing at the break but bounced back in style with a performance of heart and desire which clearly demonstrated how much Jimmy Anderson and his players are determined to bring success, and reward the fans who once again turned up in great number to support the team.

There were changes to the starting eleven once again with Kelvin Boampong slotting in at left-back in place of Jesse Hammond, Finlay Lovatt returning to midfield alongside Frank Griffin, and Jaevon Dyer taking the right-wing berth- just reward for his fine form off the bench in recent games. With Michael Fenn and Robbie Bissett in the middle, Daniel Blunn was at right-back once again, and he played a vital role in both the Rustics’ goals.

It was the home side who began the brighter however- first to everything it seemed, and sharper on the ball. That said, the Rusthall defence coped fairly comfortably, Bissett guiding Boampong to where he wanted him to be before being able to watch his young teammate defend with skill and strength. Bissett and Fenn formed a resolute barrier, heading clear each and every long ball pumped forward and helping to set the Rustics away- nothing seemed to be landing quite correctly for the Rusthall attackers though and the threat on Connor Collins in goal for Larkfield was minimal, a fine, dipping effort from Charlie Clover aside.

Larkfield took the lead shortly before the break and it came from an admittedly good advantage played by the referee- the game could have been stopped for a shirt pull but the ball was Larkfield’s and they used it well. Kesna Clarke was played through and he finished low past Reece Hobbs to find the bottom corner- on balance of play, Larkfield were probably worthy of their half time lead.

Rusthall have found themselves trailing at the break a few times this season and it always felt like this was a game they could get back into with continued hard work. Larkfield offered very little going forward- perhaps the laid-back, relaxed attitude from the home bench which suggested they had already secured the win transferred to the players on the pitch as effort levels perhaps dropped. Rusthall meanwhile continued to put the graft in all over the pitch. Charlie Clover, up against big, strong centre halves in the form of Jahmal Howlett-Mundle and Nathan Daly, gave them not a moment to think, with constant harrying, and jumping to win headers when height difference seemed against him. Leading from the front, Clover set the standards for work ethic, while Robbie Bissett barked his orders from the back and kept everyone honest.

The equaliser arrived on 69 minutes and it began with Daniel Blunn marauding forward from the back. His opposite number perhaps underestimated the pace of Blunn which led to a rather panicked clearance and a throw-in for Rusthall. Charlie Clover stepped up and launched the ball towards the waiting Robbie Bissett who challenged bravely for the ball, the Larkfield defenders perhaps unnerved by the recent arrival of Louie Clarke from the bench, and when the ball dropped, it fell favourably for once to Jack Kirby who volleyed the ball low through the crowd and into the net. While the home side seemed rocked, the away side looked eager for more and they didn’t make the fans wait long as Daniel Blunn won a free kick deep in defensive territory. Reece Hobbs stepped up to take it and his long ball gave Charlie Clover another unlikely-looking header to win. The pressure he applied forced the error and the ball fell to Kirby who, perhaps irked by an earlier harshly-awarded yellow card and a touch of cramp, immediately set about causing problems with typically direct running. Louie Clarke did what Louie Clarke does, and made the perfect run, received the perfect through-ball, and finished low, leaving Collins no chance. If Larkfield were rocked by the equaliser, the goal that gave Rusthall the lead finished them off completely. Despite assurances from a now slightly less relaxed home bench that there was plenty of time left, Larkfield failed to put anything together which caused problems- Bissett and Fenn were well on-top of the aerial battle and it was the away side who went closest to scoring again. Thompson Adeyemi, off the bench and into the action, went on a mazy run down the left before cutting in and shooting low. This time Collins made the save and the waiting Louie Clarke gave Adeyemi a look which suggested he thought a pass should have come his way but given the fine work Adeyemi had done to get into the shooting position, no one could blame him from having a go. Ayodeji Owoeye came on and once again impressed with his strength, dribbling and desire- he will have been disappointed with an effort which ended up in the gloves of Collins after he had beaten his defender and bore down on goal. Josh Reid had the final kick of the game which was rather fitting as he had been kicked for 90 minutes, the Larkfield players having come up with no other solution to deal with his pace and skill.

This was an important result for Rusthall in an obvious way- a place in the final has been secured- but perhaps in other ways too. A tough run affects the mood, but a win of this nature can change that and the Rusthall players quite rightly celebrated together, the sound of laughter and enjoyment returned. A busy spell approaches with many games still to play- the focus now returns to the league with two testing ties up next- away to Phoenix on Saturday and then Fisher at home on Tuesday evening. With the togetherness and effort on show last night, Jimmy Anderson and his team will be hopeful of further success in the final two months of the season.

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