FIRST TEAM MATCH REPORT

BLUES AVOID DOUBLE WITH SPIRITED PERFORMANCE

Rustington refused to give the Tye a chance of a league double after a spirited comeback at Piddinghoe Lane. Peacehaven effectively congested the midfield and played a tight game before Rustington were able to expose the gaps and punished them with the goals to draw level in the second half. Russell Tomlinson was ruled out of the game due to a thigh injury; however Gareth Davies stuck to a similar side that defeated Broadbridge Heath.

Rustington did start brightly piercing the defence with a typical move from Sean Duffy who was able to spring the offside trap, the resulting pass found Lee Gibbs who saw a weak shot go straight to the keeper. The next twenty minutes saw the play slow down, with the midfield dominating the game and chances rare. A similar booking for persistent dissent occurred, that of Peacehaven's Jamie Cullinane - a consistent feature from the fixture at Jubilee. A corner from the Tye threatened the goal and required a good save from a Wes Millis header that hit the woodwork. Wes Millis continued to stalk the Blues goal and eventually got his reward with 35 minutes played, a fine corner from the right allowed him to nod in from close range after poor organisation in the Rustington defence.

As the half time whistle approached, it was clear the referee needed a role in the game. Some strange decisions including punishing dissent at the point of the incident more than once interrupted the flow of the game and some simple mistimed tackles went over the head of the man in black.

Peacehaven doubled the lead straight from the half time whistle, Richie Watton was able to shimmy to the edge of the area, a neat pass found Stuart Clarke on the overlap, and Wes Millis side footed home across goal beating McCarthy to his left. It was apparent now that Rustington had to find the form that comprehensively beat Wealden only four days ago if they were to stand a chance. Peacehaven had another excellent chance with some Watton and Tom Levitt just failing to latch on to a header from a Helda Silva cross.

It was time for Rustington to start and they did, a smart move starting with Andy Boxall cleverly stealing the ball from the Tye defender passed to Lee Gibbs, his cross just missing Andy Smart in the area. Not long after, a clearance-cum-pass from Adam Bibb found Sean Duffy to feet at the edge of the area, the bemused defender and 'keeper were caught off guard and Duffy was able to run the ball into an empty net.

Terry Withers was then replaced by Lee Gibbs on 68 minutes, but it was Peacehaven first that looked threatening, a dangerous through ball saw Wattons shot deflected by McCarthy almost finding Millis desperate for the hat-trick. Joe Lewis Cumber and Adam Bibb found more freedom going forward and came close. The goal came five minutes from time, Withers is able to loft a cross field ball that finds Andy Smart at the back post, Smart headers in to equalise with the Peacehaven defence napping. Chris Couzens is brought on for Andy Boxall to possibly snatch a winner; however a further chance falls for Sean Duffy that sees a header after gambling on a clearance bounce over.

A superb comeback from the Blues, who will be happy with the point, especially after the second half performance. The next challenge is in the form of Wealden, who in two matches, the Blues have amassed 7 goals. Rustington remain in 2nd place and keep very much in touch with East Grinstead, who were only able to draw themselves for the first time at home this season.