The only home game of October brought three valuable points for Rusthall as they made it two wins and two clean sheets in a row in the league with victory over Holmesdale at a lively Jockey Farm Stadium.

The earlier rain, which somehow curtailed the action for some, could not dampen the spirits as the sun shone on what was a special day for Rusthall, as club legend, Charlie Clover, celebrated 100 games in green and white with a goal and a fully-deserved victory over a side who had begun the season strongly. While Holmesdale are now winless in eight, it feels like Rusthall are heading in the right direction with eight goals in the last three games, six points from the last two, and a more cohesive look to the team. Less is often more, and there was, again, certainly morecommitment evident today- more heart, more determination, and these attributes- on show from all in green and white- were key to getting the win.

Also key to the recent run of positive performances has been the consistency of team selection Jimmy Anderson has been able to employ- the strong heart of the team featuring Dan Blunn, Robbie Bissett, Jack Smith and Frank Griffin once again provided the foundations for the attacking players to cause danger which they did to good effect all game. Michael Kuku replaced the injured Mustafa Hashemi at left-back while on the other flank, Louis Anderson put in a magnificent performance- he is one of a few players returning from serious knee injuries who are really getting back into their stride.

From minute one it felt like Rusthall were comfortable and that it would be only a matter of time before they found a way through a side clearly missing the experience and calm heads of number one goalkeeper, Cameron Hall, and former Rustic, Cameron Smart, who could only watch on from the side lines as his teammates struggled to threaten the home side. Jack Smith and Frank Griffin were too quick and too firm for the Holmesdale midfield and, as a result, Blunn and Bissett were able to enjoy a relatively untroubled afternoon. When the Dalers did find their way through, their best chance fell totheir number nine who found himself in a one-on-one situation with Serine Sanneh- in truth it never felt like the result of that particular clash would be anything other than Sanneh coming out on top. He stayed up giving the striker a choice to make but whatever that choice might have been, he definitely made the wrong one from his point of view and the game remained goalless.
It was not goalless for long, however, as on 23 minutes, Yassin Fares showed the magic he is capable of by receiving the ball, pirouetting gracefully before playing a through ball which took out six defenders in one fell swoop. Kalani Barton controlled the ball with his left before stroking the ball home under the goalkeeper from the edge of the area. Barton has been in great form recently and his second goal in two league games was well-deserved.

The second half saw Holmesdale attempt to get back into the game but without any success. Blunn and Bissett were rock-solid and not in the mood to give much away, Jack Kirby was, as ever, a willing runner and full of vision, and Yassin Fares continued his return to top form with some delightful control and direct running- on the hour, this proved too much for the Holmesdale back line who could only hack him down and a penalty was the result- not one Holmesdale player complained, despite a great deal of noise from the away bench. This was the moment the man of the hour could step up and take the plaudits- it is not often players at this level reach the milestone of 100 games for one club but that is what Charlie Clover has done.

Consistency brings lots of the things fans love about non-league and should never be taken for granted- three players have now reached the 100 game mark for Rusthall under the management of Jimmy Anderson- Louis Anderson who is approaching 150 games and Tommy Lawrence- in charge of the physio bag today- the others- how good it is to see players who have been giving their all for so many years. Clover stepped up confidently and dispatched his penalty into the top corner past the despairing dive of Archie Aldous. What a moment for a player who had earlier walked out to great acclaim from the Rusthall supporters who are all so pleased to have a club legend back in the fold.

Finding themselves two down did nothing to encourage any urgency from the away side and Rusthall were able to put their strong squad to good use. Jeffrey Njuguna, fresh from representing England at a recent 6-a-side tournament, replaced Kuku, and Louie Clarke got more minutes, impressing with a goal-bound shot which was blocked. Youngsters, Yusuf Rabbaj and Ant Mepham also got more experience and fitted in seamlessly. When needed, Serine Sanneh was right where he should have been and kept things tight at the back as Rusthall saw the game out with relative ease.

Murmurings of a likeness to a pub team seemed ridiculous given the lesson Rusthall had just dished out to a Holmesdale team who were poor on the day. Post-match comments suggested changes would be afoot for Holmesdale as several young players were rather harshly criticised. The Rustics themselves are a young bunch of players who are buying into what the club is all about. Unity, togetherness and consistency perhaps won out on a day to remember for all in green and white.
 
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