Rusthall travel to Holmesdale this weekend knowing that after their two-nil win at Snodland Town on Tuesday, Jimmy Anderson’s side need three points to guarantee a home play-off semi-final next week.

“It was a fantastic result for us at Snodland on Tuesday,” the manager told us after seeing his side extend their recent run to one defeat in their last ten.

“It was what we needed and what we wanted as I said on Saturday when we beat Bearsted. We went to Snodland and took them seriously as they have loads of experience in their side and we are delighted with the win as it’s a tough place to go.”

“The first half was incredible, both sides going for it up and down the hill; it was almost like two teams who didn’t care and just went for it! It was massively important to go to Snodland and win – I didn’t want us to just go through the motions as some teams do, I wanted to get it done tonight if we could.”

The “done” that Anderson was referring to was sealing that play-off place which with the three points, and better goal difference, Rusthall have all but secured.

“I’ve been in this League seven years now and there has always been one or two really stand out teams – the Chatham’s, the Sheppey’s, Deal when they won it, Faversham and VCD last year and Whitstable this – but after that it is getting closer.

“We missed out on the play-offs finishing sixth last year and I think it shows how tight it is becoming. On Tuesday, Punjab (also chasing post season) “only” beat Stansfeld (already relegated) one-nil – there really is no easy game, no given in this League, you can’t turn up and just think that you’re going to win the game. So, I am not surprised its tight – it’s very, very hard and we have had a great season to be where we are!”

During this season, the club has won its first major honour when they beat Bearsted in the final of the SCEFL League Cup – an achievement that Anderson is rightly proud of. “It was a fantastic day for everyone at the club, but when you get one taste of a day like that and the success, you want another, so hopefully we can get into the play-offs.”

“Whitstable are and have been a cut above the rest of the league this season on and off the pitch and I believe that when you look at them, others should aspire to achieve what they have. They are ready to go up… We look at ourselves and think we are heading the right way off the field and potentially on it as well. Last season it was Faversham who have gone onto achieve and this season its Whitstable!”

With Fisher, Rusthall themselves and potentially Punjab all on great runs into the play-offs, the post seasons potential for excitement is reaching another level. “None of the sides heading post season are not playing well, but should we be surprised as the league is so competitive that the semi-finals will be two great games and then the final… who knows?”

We finished by asking the Rusthall boss if his club were “ready” for the Isthmian League less than ten years after joining SCEFL – pausing momentarily, Anderson said, “I can only tell you that this time next year if we get there! I am ready, the players are ready, the club have made themselves ready, I really don’t see why we are not ready – we will certainly give it a go.

“There’s a team that are close to us who have done very well in the league at the first time of asking in Crowborough Athletic – we have played them in pre-season… I don’t see that you can say that you are ready – I feel that off the field, maybe us and Fisher have the best support, so why not, why can’t we be ready?”