FIRST TEAM MATCH REPORT

BRILLIANT BIBB RESCUES POINT AGAINST 10 MAN WESTFIELD

The Blues managed to claw a point away from Westfields Parish Stadium after a superb peformance from Adam Bibb in what should be Rustingtons longest journey away from Jubilee Avenue. The 120 mile round trip produced a valuable point which keeps them on pace with the Divsion 2 frontrunners. Key players such as Lee Gibbs, Joey Cumber and Richie Hellen had prior commitments so Ryan Morten, James Butt and Richie Moss were drafted into the side.

Bibb set the tone for his own performance early, finding Andy Smart in an advanced position within two minutes of kick off, Smart with a quality ball of his own, after finding his form a fortnight ago at Pease Pottage, found Sean Duffy in a familiar position on the right, unfortunately the shot was merely a loosener as it drifted right of the post. It was Westfield that struck in the 7th minute, after Peter Bakers shot was deflected dangerously in the Blues penalty area, Dom Clarke was left in the area unmarked and was able to swivel and score past Andy McCarthy.

James Butt, quickly adapting to his role at right back - provided some positive runs and quality passing, after initial build up play from Bibb - Smart is found and fires a speculaive effort over the bar on the quarter hour mark. Butt's enterprising play was beginning to tell on the defense as he was cynically bought down on the edge of the Westfield box, leading to a dangerous position, the free kick not troubling Carl Morris in the Parisioners goal.

Peter Baker of Westfield could have doubled the lead on 25 minutes, a failed clearance from the Rustington defence left Baker with a clear shot on goal, but the chance was wasted. A succession of corners were contributing to ongoing pressure from Westfield, but Rustington held firm to the end of the half time whistle. Both teams providing some decent football to the freezing supporters.

Richie Moss was replaced by Jamey Bashford at the start of the second half and Rustington quickly looked for a equaliser and got a golden opportunity early. Andy Boxalls direct run into the box was stopped dead by the Westfield defense illegally and the penalty was awarded. Bibb stepped up and rifled the spot kick in the top left hand corner. Boxall and Butt worked well to create more chances as they began to pummel for Parisioners goal. The referee, who had shown a number of cards to players from both sides, had no choice but to brandish a red card when Mark Drinkwater was adjudged to mistime his tackle, two yellows meant that Drinkwater would have to watch the rest of the match from the sidelines.

As the good, enterprising passages of football continued throughout the match, more goals came in the final ten minutes. Bibb, after a superb ball from the midfield, finished from a tight angle to give the Blues the lead. Hammond relaced Brett Neal in an attempt to hold the result, but Westfield broke two minutes later. Peter Baker allowed to break away from the Rustington defense and slip the ball under McCarthy for the equaliser. Minutes later Westfields added pressure told as Dom Clarke found space in the box from a corner and was easily allowed to head home to give the hosts the lead. Adam Bibb was not done today, and using his trademark shimmy on the edge of the box after neat play by Steve Kirkham, found space from 20 yards to bury a shot three minutes from time to restore parity for the Blues.

A good point for Rustington as they had time to reflect on a 60-mile journey home, but the Blues will have no travelling over the festive period, a tough league encounter with Crawley Down up next, with the visit of rivals Littlehampton four days later. Two more matches in the form of Midhurst and Mile Oak complete the hectic schedule that confronts Gareth Davies men over the next fortnight.

Blues boss Gareth Davies was pleased with the point but felt his side should have taken more 'at 2-1 up with 15 minutes to play we should have seen the game out, we lost a bit of concentration and were punished, thankfully Bibby was tremendous and his third goal capped off an all round performance from him'