It was advantage Rusthall in the chase for play-off places following a dominant display over a lacklustre Bearsted today in the SCEFL Premier clash at Jockey Farm.
Both clubs came into this important fixture after indifferent results against already relegated Stansfeld in the past week. Bearsted were held to an away draw last Saturday, whilst Rusthall suffered a shock home reverse on Tuesday evening. With in form Punjab United breathing down their necks following an impressive fifth straight league win on Tuesday over second placed Fisher, a win for either club was essential today.
It was Rusthall who had the dream start. Kicking up the slope, an excellent through ball from Louie Clarke, put Jack Kirby through on goal. His shot from just inside the penally area went across Lucas Brookman in the Bears goal and into the corner of the net for a second minute lead. This settled the home side, and they quickly doubled their lead in the 13th minute. A good run and shot by Reuel Powell-Downey was saved by Brookman for a corner. From the resulting set piece, Charlie Clover buried a header into the net from close range for a deserved second.
It wasn’t until the quarter-hour mark before Bearsted threatened, following a neat move, the ball was crossed from left but was cleared off the foot of Jake Embery before he could get a shot away. Despite some good possession, the Bears were unable to trouble Serine Sanneh in the home goal.
The Rustics continued to be a threat themselves with some nice passing, and that nearly paid dividend soon after. Kirby’s run into the box, saw him shoot from close range. The Bears keeper seemed to have claimed the ball, but it then squirmed under his grasp and towards the goal. Thankfully for Brookman, he recovered to stop the ball right on the line, and despite protests from the home side, the referee and his assistant deemed the ball had not fully crossed the line.
The home side increased their lead further on 28 minutes. From a Bearsted attack, the ball was quickly recycled up field. Powell-Downey, a constant threat on the wing, crossed delightfully for Kirby, who didn’t have to break his run into the box, to calmly slot past the hapless Brookman for his second, and the Rustics third.
The first period progressed with Rusthall continuing on top but were thankful for a good stop by Sanneh from an Embery strike right on half time.
The Bears were given a lifeline early in the second half in controversial circumstances. From a long cross into the box, there was a coming together between the Bears forward and Rustics keeper which at first seem innocuous, but then the home side were stunned to find the referee pointing to the spot. Following consultation with his assistant, the penalty was confirmed. Embery stepped up to blast the kick past Sanneh for 3-1.
Rusthall soon put this setback behind them as Kirby was denied a hattrick by a brilliant save by the Bears keeper. Then on the hour, they restored their 3-goal cushion. From another quick brake out of defence following a good Sanneh save, the ball broke to Clover, his pinpoint pass found Louie Clarke who slotted past Brookman for 4-1.
Mid way through the second half, Clover struck again to make it five. It came from a wonderful passing interchange involving Powell-Downey and Kirby. The ball was passed across the 6-yard box for Clover to thump into the net giving the poor Bears keeper no chance. Rusthall played out the final 20 minutes fairly comfortably for a thoroughly deserved victory, although Bears substitute Richard Jimoh and the hard-working Embery both had late efforts comfortably saved by Sanneh
The result takes Rusthall above their opponents today into fifth place with 59pts from 44 games, just one point adrift of Larkfield (60 points from 45 games). Whilst the Bears drop to sixth (last play-off place) also on 59 points but having played a game more. Kent Senior Trophy finalists Punjab United lie in wait occupying seventh on 56 points but with three matches to play in 6 days, so it could easily go down to the final weekend to see who joins Fisher in the final three play-off places.
In the final week of the season, Larkfield travel to Stansfeld where a win would secure their play-off spot. Rusthall finish with two away games, at Snodland on Tuesday and then Holmesdale on Saturday. Three points from those two matches should be enough for them. Bearsted entertain Sutton Athletic on Saturday, where even a win may not be enough depending on other results. Finally, Punjab face a daunting final week.
Following Sunday’s Kent Senior Trophy final against Whitstable, they then have midweek home games against Stansfeld (Tuesday), and Hythe (Thursday), before finishing on Saturday away at Snodland. Seven points from these games would guarantee a play-off place.
Rusthall – Sanneh, Anderson, Blunn, Bissett, Clover (Aiye), Powell-Downey, Clarke, Kareem (fares), Kirby, Griffin, Adeyemi (Njuguna)
Unused Subs – Hobbs, Reid
Bearsted – Brookman, Flisher, Nurden (Jackson), Trespaderne (Palmby), Blake, Keyte, Abibio (Wisson) , Bessey (clark), Embery, Stace (Jimoh), Light
Attendance – 271
Images courtesy of James Barnes