Two weeks on from a disappointing performance against the same opposition, a Rusthall side boasting several new faces gave a much better account of themselves despite once again losing 2-0 to local rivals Crowborough, this time in the FA Vase.
The Rustics began brightly and played the ball around with confidence. Ash Sheppard was combative in midfield - sharp in the tackle and always looking to get the ball forward, he stopped a possible attack from the away side with a well-judged interception which proved to be the first of many positive elements of play from the number 4.

New winger, Armando Luismyro Pires Costa, or ‘Myro’, attacked with intent on the right flank and did well to get in and deliver a fine cross which was unfortunately blocked before it could reach the waiting Luke Adams. On 10 minutes, Rusthall put together the most flowing move of the game. James White, strong and commanding throughout, won the ball before playing it to Myro - intricate play between him and Armani Morris led to Tommy Lawrence playing a delightful through-ball to Louis Anderson who crossed well. Luke Adams was unable to sort his feet out in order to get a shot away and a good chance went begging.

Crowborough were next to be in on goal - good play down the right-hand side left a Crow in a one-on-one with Ryan Burbridge. The attacker chose to pass but the shot from his well-placed teammate which was blazed over the bar will have left him wishing he had taken the chance to shoot. The away side were slowly coming into the game- a free kick from the edge of their area made its way to the edge of the other- a good block from captain, Louis Anderson, repelled the attack.

Rusthall began to come back into the game once more - after a few intricate passes, Luke Adams had an effort which was blocked before Charlie Clover missed with a shot which flew over, ending a promising attack. Shortly after, Myro was played in again but his tumble in the box was ignored by the referee. Rusthall players and fans alike found themselves frustrated by the man in the middle, not for the last time, as Callum Adonis-Taylor was booked not long after for an innocuous challenge on halfway.

Ryan Burbridge made a fine save from a header from a deep looping cross leading to a corner which was whipped into a dangerous area. The ball was nodded home but the linesman was flagging and the delight from the Crows proved to be premature. Another cross left Louis Anderson on the end of a challenge which left him with a chipped tooth and a broken nose - somehow this was missed by the referee who will surely find this one hard to explain. The delay for the injury seemed to disrupt the flow of the game and Rusthall soon found themselves behind to a scruffy goal. Shots were blocked, clearances went nowhere and the ball was eventually flicked past Burbridge who could do nothing. He put the disappointment of conceding behind him immediately as he was soon called into action again- a fine reaction save from another header stopped another certain goal. The half ended with another delay as Cameron Hall, the Crowborough keeper, went down under challenge from the Rusthall attackers - sympathy was not forthcoming when he strolled off at half time, seemingly no worse for wear.

The second half saw any slight spark in evidence from the Rustics in the first half all but disappear. Crowborough were first to the ball and had by far the best chances. Ryan Burbridge kept the home side in it with some fine stops, balls played through or high up to the front men were easily claimed by Hall in goal. Stephen Ikpeme added a touch of quality and composure when he came on - one high ball plucked out of the air on the back of his foot was a particular highlight, as was a robust challenge on former Rusthall reserves player, Josh Fermor, by Charlie Clover for which he was probably rightly booked. Crowborough made it 2-0 following a good move - a low cross was well finished at the back post by Dom Cole.
Although it was the same score line from two weeks ago, the performance from Rusthall today, particularly in the first half, was a huge improvement.

Jimmy and the boys move on to the next game, at home against Welling Town on Wednesday at The Jockey Farm Stadium.