The first challenge was always going to be key, and Rusthall stalwarts Louis Anderson and Jack Smith immediately set the tone with crunching tackles which left the Wells players fearful of trying to win the ball a second time. The opening half hour was a cagey affair - the home side bossed the game from midfield through good work from Jack Smith and Jeffery Njuguna but struggled to provide dangerman Louie Clarke with any meaningful service. At the other end, James White and Cameron Smart gave Trevor McReadie and Matt Gething very little chance of making an impact - such was their dominance, the touches from the away side’s front men could be counted on one hand. Tommy Taylor was on fine form - when required, he was there to sweep up, collect the ball and make crucial blocks.

It was Taylor who would provide the assist for the opening goal - a long kick up field was perfectly flighted for Yassin Fares who took the ball in his stride. Faced by two defenders, Fares darted in-field, looked up and stroked a wonderful curling shot beyond the reach of Tibble in goal and into the top corner of the net. Having promised a goal to the fans before the game, Rusthall’s number eleven duly ran to the Rusthall faithful and leapt into the jubilant crowd who could only have imagined such a fantastic strike on derby day. The fence surrounding the pitch took inspiration from the Wells defence and buckled under the pressure, collapsing in a heap, beaten. Ground staff and fans attempted to fix the issues but, much like the Tunbridge Wells management, their efforts at half time had little effect.

The second half continued the trend of Rusthall dominance and control but having led before throwing away points at home on more than one occasion this season, it was crucial that Fortress Jockey played its part to inspire the men in green and white. Louie Clarke went close to making it two from a lob which beat Tibble all ends up but his fine effort finished narrowly wide of the target. The running of Reuel Powell-Downey, the trickery of Yassin Fares and the ability to wriggle free from the most robust of challenges of Tarik Ibrahim meant that Wells were chasing shadows for the most part.

On 70 minutes, Ibrahim extended the lead - he controlled the ball exquisitely before poking home one of the calmest shots to ever roll across the line at The Jockey Farm Stadium with Tibble flat-footed and hopelessly stranded.

Wells attempted to get back into the game and managed to hit the woodwork for the second time but ultimately, the combination of poor finishing and Rusthall simply wanting it more put paid to any potential comeback. When the final whistle blew and the away fans trooped out despondent, the Rusthall fans saluted the derby-day heroes in green and white. A home win last season saw Rusthall move out of the bottom two- this time around it sees them move into the top two - some turn-around of which all connected with the club should be proud.

For the supposedly bigger club, Tunbridge Wells, their inability to match their ‘little sister’ will provide food for thought as we move into the new year. Rusthall, meanwhile, will be relishing the challenge of maintaining the standard and seeing what this exciting group of players is capable of this season. Jimmy Anderson’s Green and White army march on into 2023 in buoyant fashion.

For regular updates including news, photos & lots more from around the club, follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram & Twitter