THE POINTS ARE SHARED FOR OUR SECOND LEAGUE GAME

Following disappointment in the FA Cup last week, Rusthall performed much better but were ultimately held to a 1-1 draw against a youthful but competent Lordswood side in their opening home league fixture.

Valerie Gurgurov came into the team, as well as a couple of new faces including Josh Stirman who started on the left. Jack Lyons made his first start and the 16-year-old put in a Man-of-the Match performance on the right-hand side.

The opening exchanges were cagey with both sides trying to work each other out. Jeffery Njuguna and Tommy Lawrence were on top in the midfield battle and Callum Taylor and Dan Blunn were in full control at the back but it was a fairly uneventful affair. The first flashpoint involved a heavy tackle on Abdullah Khalil who was upended and in pain- the yellow card issued to the Lordswood attacker could easily have been red. Tommy Lawrence put in a forceful but fair tackle himself moments later and, despite clearly winning the ball, he also found his name written down in the referee’s notebook. It was Lawrence who would help to bring the opening goal for the Rustics- his combative running, and willingness to put his body on the line drew a foul in the box and a penalty was awarded.

Valerie Gurgurov, the big number 9 from Moldova, confidently stepped up to take the spot kick which was despatched with aplomb. The frontman will be delighted to get off the mark, and with his overall impact today which bodes well for the season ahead. Before the half drew to a close, Jack Lyons did well to spin his marker who was too tight and left for dead with Lyons’ pace. The youngster drove into the box but saw his shot fly just wide.
It was 1-0 at the break and Rusthall were good value for their lead.

Tommy Taylor had been kept busy and on his toes- he was tidy when mopping up, quick off his line when needed, and safe in his handling of anything that looked like danger.

The beginning of the second half saw Rusthall’s Number One even busier as Rusthall failed to really get going- Lordswood were beginning to come into the game and it felt like a goal would result. On the hour, Lordswood were level- a cross from the right was headed back across goal and into the corner of the net leaving Taylor with no chance.

Rusthall managed to rally and with the introduction of Jesse Hammond on the left, began to threaten again. It was Gurgurov who went closest with a sweetly-struck volley which for all the world looked like it was in as it sailed past the despairing flail of the goalkeeper’s hand before striking the woodwork and bounding clear.  The home side kept working to find a winner but it just wouldn’t come and a point a piece it was. An unbeaten start to the season but these have been two games in which Rusthall would surely have targeted 6 points- still, there were encouraging signs on show for the games ahead.

Next up is a trip to Holmesdale on Tuesday night (15th) before our next home game on Saturday 26th August against Stansfeld.

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