FIRST TEAM MATCH REPORT

BLUES EXTEND UNBEATEN RUN DESPITE EARLY SETBACK

Rustington recovered from an early set back to claim a determined victory over the challenge of Broadbridge Heath. The game that was constantly in doubt until the early hours of Saturday morning provided an intriguing contest where the fans were treated to a tenacious display after the Bears took the advantage after just two minutes.

A simple cross from left hand side was not dealt with and the Blues defence were caught out, with Bears striker Ross Dance climbing highest to beat McCarthy in the middle of the box. The Blues responded quickly, Adam Bibb playing in a more advanced position due to key injuries to Andy Smart and Steve Kirkham, was beginning to pick holes in the Broadbridge Heath defence. A few minutes later Lee Gibbs shot just wide from a narrow angle that almost shaved the far post. Some neat inerplay after an impressive ten minutes see a similar shot from Joey Cumber go past the far post.

After a small lapse in the Blues defence that almost saw Jamal Sultan convert from just outside the box, Rustington continued to press for the equaliser. Andy Boxall provided a slide rule pass to Sean Duffy who piledrived a shot into the side netting. As the game slowed to a pedestrian pace on a difficult pitch, the Blues restored parity on the stroke of half time. Sean Duffy’s mazy diagonal run from the right draws three defenders and after picking up Duffy's exquisite pass, Andy Boxall smashes a shot past Bears keeper Joe Comper to level the match.

After the restart it did not take long for the Blues to take the lead. Lee Gibbs inch perfect free kick finds Brett Neal lurking at the far post to notch up his fourth goal of the season with a characteristic towering header. Lee Gibbs was now dictating the play down the right hand side, with Russell Tomlinson and Sean Duffy almost latching on to clever passes. Adam Bibb also contributing with a sublime cross that sees a header from Sean Duffy just missing the goal. Chris Couzens is given the nod to play the final 10 minutes of the half for Andy Boxall, and this does not the Blues rhythm, now dominating the game. Lee Gibbs is also replaced by Terry Withers minutes after. A late chance for Joey Cumber could have improved the result, but the bounce was unfavourable and the chance was gone.

Another win for Rustington sees them extend their unbeaten run to nine games and remain second place in the table, and within touching distance of leaders East Grinstead. A tough midweek game is next for the Blues, a semi final against Wealden for a place in the final of the Division 2 cup. Rustington will have to find the same determination of which will be a difficult encounter against an ever improving Wealden side.

Blues manager Gareth Davies praised the spirit of his players, ‘we dug in deep today had to be patient at times but picked up another win despite not playing particularly well, I think we have surprised a few people with our league position and it’s now up to us to ensure we maintain the position we have worked so hard to find ourselves in’

Blues due James Askew and Adam Bibb have both committed their futures to the Blues following approaches from Littlehampton & Wick, Davies see’s both players as key parts of the clubs future and insisted ‘both had no hesitation in wanting to be part of what we are trying to build at Rustington FC’