First Team
Matches
Sat 18 Feb 2023  ·  Premier Division
Rusthall Football Club
First Team
2
2
Erith Town
LATE YASSIN FARES GOAL TO SHARE THE POINTS

LATE YASSIN FARES GOAL TO SHARE THE POINTS

Club Admin19 Feb 2023 - 07:57
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.rusthallfc.com/tea

Louie Clarke & Yassin Fares both score to earn a share of the spoils against Erith Town!

The last of four home games in a row for Rusthall in the space of 14 days ended in yet another 2-2 draw, this time against Erith Town - a side also battling towards the top of the SCEFL Premier Division.

The returning Charlie Clover and James Miles both began the match on the bench - for the Rustics, it was the same line-up that had come so close to beating Deal Town on Wednesday evening, with Calvin Gitiba a welcome sight in reserve.

The first half was a tight affair with both sides playing good football despite the difficult surface. Rusthall were perhaps fortunate not to give away a penalty when commanding centre-back, James White, rose, missed the header and struck the ball with his hand. Nothing given by the referee and indeed by either defence as Rusthall struggled to get their dangermen on the ball and Erith Town found the Rusthall backline in bullish form. Jamie Miller consistently demonstrated his ability to control a game from midfield - winning everything, battling fiercely, and using all his experience to guide those around him.

The second half was less than ten minutes old when Yassin Fares picked up the ball and drove at the Erith backline. Scared to bring him down, they backed away, hoping for a poor touch and lack of control. The control was, as usual, perfect - the ball rolled through to Louie Clarke immaculately and matched only by Clarke’s composure as he took it round the on-rushing keeper and slotted home from a tightening angle. Clarke’s 21st league goal of the season takes him above Trevor McCreadie and Jamie Philpot and into pole position for the golden boot.

Unfortunately for the vocal, jubilant home crowd, Erith found an equaliser shortly after.  A high ball was cleared by Tommy Taylor in goal but not far enough and the ball was returned goalward and another sloppy goal was conceded. Charlie Clover entered the fray to a warm reception from the Rusthall fans who were keen to acknowledge the popular player’s contribution to the club over the years. Having sent one freekick out of play, Clover was more accurate with the next one from an almost identical position. The ball was won in the air and then headed home past Taylor who had begun to come for the ball - he could only watch as the ball rolled in giving Erith the lead.

Luke Miller had the best chance to retake the lead when he found himself in position to shoot with Mackenzie Foley absent from his goal. Miller’s well-taken shot was heading in but was headed clear just in front of goal by a defender who had covered well for his goalkeeper’s misadventure.  

This was a game Rusthall would have lost last season, but not this. This squad has desire and belief- you could see it clearly as the men in green and white immediately set about getting an equaliser despite the disappointment of falling behind and the lack of time left on the clock. With the crowd behind them and supporting relentlessly, Rusthall pushed Erith back time and again. With a minute left, a corner was won and swung across goal by Tommy Lawrence towards Blunn, White and Tommy Taylor who had wandered up from the back to cause trouble. Chaos reigned and as Erith tried to clear, Yassin Fares was brought down by a clumsy tackle. The referee - frustratingly inconsistent throughout - awarded the penalty and with Louie Clarke off injured, it was Fares himself who took it and slammed the ball home. The game was not done - Tarik Ibrahim picked up the ball on the edge of the area - he chose not to shoot and instead rolled the ball to Luke Miller who found himself in space. His shot was wild, the ball flew over the bar and the referee called time on an entertaining game.

The run of four home games comes to an end and it’s 6 points from 12 for the Rustics. Three 2-2 draws in the space of a week may seem frustrating on the face of it but this Rusthall team have shown character to come back when they’re down and they will gain from these experiences. To be disappointed when drawing against sides who beat them comfortably last season shows just what progress has been made this season - with eleven games still to go, it will be interesting to see what this team is capable of.

Next up is an away trip to K Sports on Saturday 25th February.

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

Match details

Match date

Sat 18 Feb 2023

Kickoff

15:00

Attendance

216

Competition

Premier Division

League position

2
Erith Town
3
Rusthall
Team overview
Further reading