For what should have been a stern test for the Blues, Crawley Down were made to look ordinary by a highly focused Rustington side intend of stretching their unbeaten run to three games and reclaiming runners up spot in the division. Lee Gibbs and Joey Cumber returned to the side after missing the Westfield game. Richie Hellen was also back in the squad.
Crawley Down did start the brighter side with Rustington just lacing early poise and shape. Shots rained in one opportunity for the visitors with James Upton, Andrew Tuckey and Mark Saunders all finding shots blocked. Apart from a long range effort from Joey Cumber there was really no attacking play from the Blues in the opening 10 minutes. Reassuringly, it did not take long for the Blues to find their feet, a well delivered corner from the left almost confused Down 'keeper Shane Goldsmith and Russell Tomlison almost latched onto the loose ball.
The deadlock was broken in the 19th minute, Joey Cumber delivered a cross from the left and Crawley Downs clearance only found Chris Green on the edge on the box who on the half volley, fired a 25 yard screamer past Goldsmiths left hand side. A majestic maiden goal for the former Arundel defender. Rustington, characteristically never sit back on one goal, smell blood and do so with some neat interplay invloving Adam Bibb and Andy Smart, James Butt also finding the excellent form he has been in recently with quality defensive and attacking play. Chances followed for Andy Boxall, Lee Gibbs and Andy Smart - Gibbs shot requiring a fingertip save to deny the Blues doubling the lead into the half.
The second half opens with Rustington firing on all cylinders, Boxall attemping a cheeky free kick in a superb twenty minutes of football that included two goals. Andy Boxall provided a great flick to Sean Duffy who fired a sublime ball to Andy Smart who with his second touch finds control and finishes to increase the lead. A double substitution is amde with Steve Kirkham and Ryan Morten replacing Andy Boxall and Joey Cumber. Moments later, Rustington are awarded a corner, another fantastic delivery finds the head of Russell Tomlinson who nods home easily out of Down's hapless defending.
The dominance continued for the Blues, Adam Bibb enjoying some time off and is replaced by Richie Hellen with twelve minutes to do after almost finding the net himself with clever work from him and Sean Duffy. The game is drawn to a close with no further goals, however, a massive encouraging victory for Rustington, who now face a local derby in Littlehampton - the Blues with the positional advantage two points clear and a game in hand. Another vital league match over the important festive period.
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