A grey and grim afternoon was brightened by the quality football on show from both teams but it was the away side who came away with three big points.

Conceding three goals in each of the last three games led Jimmy Anderson to ring the changes - big Dan Blunn started alongside James White in central defence and both put in magnificent shifts to thwart any threat from Phoenix throughout the game.

In midfield, two warriors were needed and that is exactly what Jamie Miller and Jack Smith provided. Miller set the tone with some crunching tackles and typically robust but calm play - the yellow card he received early on was harsh but didn’t cause him to adjust his game.

The opening twenty minutes was a fairly even contest - there is a reason both teams are battling towards the top of the table this season. Tarik Ibrahim was lively from the off, confidently carrying the ball through the middle and looking to play in Louie Clarke up front. Louis Anderson won the battle on his side up against Dave Martin who found it hard to make headway past Rusthall’s number two.

Yassin Fares had begun the game quietly but it was from his driving run the first goal resulted. He skipped past one challenge into the box and was felled by a desperate sliding tackle which brought him down. The referee said penalty and despite a barrage of protestations from the home players and dugout, Louie Clarke stepped up, brushed aside the disappointment of missing at Fisher last week, and buried the ball in the bottom corner. Rusthall were good value for the lead but Phoenix were very much still in the game.

The corner count kept rising but so did the Rusthall defenders to make crucial touches to take the ball away - Francis Babalola went closest with a header but Tommy Taylor watched it wide.

Phoenix began the second half determined to make amends and within five minutes it looked for all the world like they were level. Ryan Hayes pulled the ball back across goal with great technique and it seemed the header that followed was nestling in the corner. Somehow the ball rolled wide and Rusthall breathed a sigh of relief. After that, the attacking threat from the home side dropped off somewhat and Rusthall were able to take advantage on the break. Fares had really got into his stride by now and his deft touch, ability to drive at terrified defenders, and pick a pass when needed meant he was a consistently dangerous outlet for the Rustics.

Reuel Powell-Downey moved up top after Louie Clarke was felled and had to be replaced and he did a great job at pressing the centre backs, finding space and linking the play. It was almost 2-0 when Louis Anderson drove for goal and tried to pick out Powell-Downey who prodded the ball just over.

Phoenix brought on former Rustic, Conor Johnson, and Tashi-Jay Kwayie but still the away side kept digging in and nullifying the threat.

Jeffery N’Juguna had entered the contest and immediately took control of midfield and Luke Miller who had joined the fray on the left-hand side was a willing runner, stretching the tired defence of Phoenix.

It was Miller who won the second penalty of the afternoon following a jinking run and a goal-bound shot which was blocked by the arm of Henry Douglas who found himself invited to the sin-bin for his complaints about the decision.

With Clarke off the field, Yassin Fares stepped up and calmly slotted home the spot-kick.

Phoenix simply had no time to recover, and no answer to the resolute, determined defending of a Rusthall side who showed great heart, great character and great belief all the way through a tough, engaging battle.

Victory sees Rusthall move five points ahead of Phoenix who still have five games in hand. The final months of the season will no-doubt see lots of movement in the league table but as we move into February and four home games in a row, Rusthall’s management, players and supporters can be pleased with their work to date. Performances like this one today will be needed in the forthcoming games to finish Rusthall’s best-ever season in style.

Next up, is a home game against Canterbury City on Saturday 4th February.

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