FIRST TEAM MATCH REPORT

BLUES DENIED AT THE DEATH

The Blues fell to their second successive defeat at the hands of Steyning in a bruising physical encounter at the Shooting Field. Steyning were hard and fast to every tackle and did not allow any time for Rustington to display their footballing skills, not aided on what can only be described as a very dodgy looking pitch and goals that would make a few pounds on the Antiques Road show. The Blues did have their chances however, especially at the end of the game, and were frustratingly denied after a plethora of goal mouth scrambles. Steve Kirkham and Lee Gibbs were installed into the side after personal commitments, with Chris Green retaining his place at left back and the expense of Jamey Bashford.

Most of the early joy from Rustington came from Joey Cumber with some good work down the right to Sean Duffy. The initial shot of the game finds a tame shot straight at the keeper. Steyning respond with Alex White curling a decent effort just over the right hand corner. The physical presence was beginning to tell after 10 minutes, and Steyning reciprocated this to the Blues area, Chris Duffett passed on to Mark Schofield from a free kick. Andy McCarthy producing a fine fingertip save to deny him.

Lee Gibbs was missed last week, and showed his prowess in the side with some crafty work down the left hand side, linking up with Andy Smart with one effort and supplying some sublime free kicks and corners. Russell Tomilnson also saw a header from a Gibbs cross float over the bar. The influence rubs of on the rest the team and just over halfway through the first period, Rustington up the physical ante. Kirkham is fed well from the midfield line and surges on goal, he is clinically bought down by the Steyning defender, however the penalty appeals are waved away to the dismay of the Blues players and supporters alike.

A couple of shots from Sean Duffy ended the half with Rustington clawing their way back in the game, one following a ricochet in he box involving Steve Kirkham. Rustington were going to have to increase the fight in second half, starting with following the lead of Richie Hellen, who indeed was timing his tackles sufficiently to avoid caution but also offering the opposing player the opportunity to see what the Shooting field looked like upside down. Another dogged and aggressive display from the veteran right back.

The first ten minutes see the ball being played mostly in the air, neither team settling, but the game failing to fall into the Blues grasp. Adam Bibb was also beginning to stand out, showing some great twists and turns to keep the little possession Rustington had. On the hour, Andy Boxall was handed his debut along with James Butt, for the hardworking duo of Andy Smart and Ryan Morten. Butt was able to make his mark early, showing some decent interplay with Duffy and Cumber. It was Cumber who allowed some time on the edge of the box but sends his shot wide. After another notable break seeing Duffy again with a half-chance, it is Steyning that find the breakthrough - Alex white takes up a fantastic position in the box to convert from Lee Waterhouse's cross in the 83rd minute. Chris Green is eventually replaced by Gavin Hammond; what followed was very unlucky for the Blues, three goal mouth scrambles almost lead to various players poking the ball in the net, but to no avail.

Steyning held onto the victory, but not for the lack of effort from the Blues, indeed you could argue that Rustington were physically outplayed today, but if Rustington's chances were converted, they could have easily come away with the points. This was an encouraging performance after Peacehaven and excuses can be made about the poor conditions, but they will need to sharpen for their next encounter, an ever-improving Pease Pottage. The whipping boys of Division 2 are intent of clearing their awful tag, however rest assured Rustington will be keen to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

Blues boss Gareth Davies felt his side deserved more, 'we dominated for the first 45 minutes yet wasted good chances in the final third, we lost our shape a bit in the second period but to come away with nothing wasn't a true reflection of the performance, at this level you need to take your chances and we can have no excuses in that department, we need to get back on track this weekend and focus on getting to the pre season target of 40 points sooner rather than later.'