The opening game of the season saw Rusthall make an unceremonious exit from the FA Cup at the first hurdle as they were beaten 5-2 by Westfield. Hopes were high going into the game following a promising pre-season campaign and a healthy crowd in attendance which included a good number of fans enjoying the new and improved hospitality offer, and the view from the newly installed balcony, in the Derek Seal Suite. Those hopes were ultimately dashed with the side from Step 4 coming out on top, leaving Rusthall to regroup and prepare for the first game of the league season against Hythe Town next week.

A big priority for Jimmy Anderson and his team has been to hang onto the core of the squad who led The Rustics to their best ever finish last season, as well as replacing those who have moved on to challenges further up the pyramid. On paper, and judging by performances in pre-season, they have done just that but a slow start, and individual errors, proved costly. The game had barely begun when a hopeful ball rolled towards Serine Sanneh in goal- under little pressure, the ball should either have been cleared or claimed but neither happened, a mix-up followed and a goal was the result. Rusthall showed admirable resolve to get themselves straight back into the game through last season’s top-scorer, Charlie Clover, who found himself in on goal, beat probably two more defenders than he needed to, before firing the ball home. Rusthall’s best period in the game led to Jack Kirby giving them the lead after Jaevon Dyer had carried the ball expertly- his layoff was perfectly judged and Kirby finished well. This was as good as it would get for the home side who struggled to put much together from thereon in.

Westfield levelled the tie following another defensive mix-up- Rahman Kareem, so impressive during pre-season, attempted to clear the ball which fell fortuitously for Billy Nutbeam who couldn’t miss. It wasn’t long before the away side took the lead when a shot from distance was palmed away by Sannehbut perhaps not as far away as he might have wished- Finn Evans, grateful for his hairband keeping his locks out of his eyes, was on hand to roll the ball into the opposite corner. It felt like all three of Westfield’s goals were very avoidable and low in quality- against higher opposition these are mistakes that will be punished and in fairness to Westfield, they made sure they took their opportunities when they arrived.

The second half failed to bring much in terms of change for Rusthall. Frank Griffin, a surprise omission from the starting line-up given his influence on the team, came on along with Louie Clarke and Jack Low, perhaps the pick of the new arrivals during pre-season, but none of the subs could effect a change to sway the course of the game. A penalty in the 55th minute all but finished the tie, with Westfield adding a fifth late on.

One below-par performance does not define a season and,while it is undoubtedly disappointing to go out of a competition of the magnitude of the FA Cup, the reality is the main task for Rusthall begins next week when the league campaign kicks off. Jimmy Anderson and his team will no doubt be keen to address areas for improvement during the week and the Rusthall faithful will certainly look to do all they can to inspire strong performances when competitive action resumes at home on Saturday 9th August

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