Before the game, musicians from TS Brilliant Sea Cadet Corps led an immaculately observed act of remembrance for those who have served in conflicts throughout history - once the moments of silence had passed however, the Rusthall support made their voices heard from the off and never let the noise levels drop throughout an engaging 90 minutes of football.

Whitstable began the game well - the improvement since the new manager has come in was initially evident as the away side played some nice football and remained resolute at the back. They took the lead after 16 minutes following the award of a freekick on the left which was swung in dangerously - Tommy Taylor came to claim the ball but before it dropped into his arms, a Whitstable head got a touch and the ball was glanced home. A disappointing start for sure but it was to prove the only real threat to Taylor’s goal. Rusthall picked up immediately - once again, the steely determination from this squad shone through and the quality football they are capable of was on show for the passionate home crowd. Tarik Ibrahim was superb throughout, a constant danger to George Sheminant at left back who simply had no answer to Ibrahim’s touch, control, dribbling and awareness.

Cameron Smart impressed once again at centre back alongside the reliable James White, and Yassin Fares was in typically skilful, determined form - a threat which Whitstable could not contain.
It wasn’t long before the Rustics were level. Tommy Lawrence, in fine form these past few weeks, had overhit a few passes but when it mattered, he found his range, chipping a high ball forward which was misjudged by the hapless centre half. Louie Clarke was waiting and in no mood to mess about - the ball bounced, he employed his right foot for more than just standing, and lobbed the ball over the stricken Dan Eason in goal. Whitstable could not put together a response and Rusthall began to dominate. Jeffery Njuguna on debut at right back slotted in straight away and offered no route to goal down his flank - Abdullah Khalil was as solid as ever at left back so the away side were reliant on trying to play through Michael Uwezu who was pocketed by Tommy Lawrence throughout proceedings.

After 32 minutes, Rusthall took the lead and it was a similar story to the equaliser - Louie Clarke lobbing the keeper from the angle, the ball nestling in the far corner, the crowd singing his name to the rafters. The home side saw out the half and it seemed unlikely the away side would be able to summon a response.

As they say, 2-1 is a dangerous score and Rusthall have dropped points from winning positions before but the start of the second half gave the home side no reason for doubt that three points would be secured. Rusthall continued to dominate through superior quality on the ball and a desire to win tackles which was not matched by those in red.

Yassin Fares continued to cause problems down the left-hand side and when he skipped away from those hunting him down one too many times, the answer from the Whitstable centre half was to scythe him down in brutal fashion - the red card which followed was certainly deserved. Luke Miller, Reuel Powell-Downey and Dan Blunn all entered the fray and the domination endured. The strength throughout the squad is clear and certainly helped to see the game out comfortably. In truth, Tommy Taylor could have joined the 225 spectators in the crowd who sang until the final whistle and beyond. A fully deserved three points sees Rusthall move above Whitstable Town in the table and up to 6th. The run-up to Christmas will be vital for a side who are not far away from last season’s points total already.

The work that Jimmy Anderson and his team have put in continues to bear fruit - his team will certainly be buoyed going into Tuesday night’s league cup tie at Bearsted.

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