FIRST TEAM MATCH REPORT |
Saturday 2 February 2008
Wealden 0 - 0 Rustington
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Sussex County Football League Division 2
STALEMATE AS PINKS MEET BLUES |
As Rustington village stepped onto the boggy quagmire of Wealden, the men in their traditional light blue stepped forth to challenge their opponents in pink to do battle. Little did they know that there was also a round white ball to be kicked with two goals either end of the pitch. Both teams had chances to win the game however the result ended in stalemate.
A lack of sharpness in the opening five minutes didn’t help Rustington on a poor pitch, and it was Wealden who had the better chance after 12 minutes, a route 1 ball landed in the path of Wealden winger Darren Beard clear on the left of the area, Andy McCarthy swift to the save with feet to deny him, Rustingtons first proper chance came in the 18th minute. Andy Boxall's lofted pass findind James Butt, only to be denied by the defender on the far post. James Butt's increasing stature on the game continues, this time turning provider to Boxall who slams a shot just past the post. Moments later a flowing move from Lee Gibbs, Andy Smart and Shaun Duffy provide a moment of Rustington class, only for Andy Boxall to hit the bar.
Wealden fight back with chances of their own, Pete Christodolou's venture into advanced territory results in a rasper from distance, with McCarthy at full stretch the ball again zips past McCarthy's right and wide. Wealdens aggressive approach is picked up on late through the first half, Darren Gearing books for persistent foul play - his victim Joe Lewis Cumber, who estimatedly, had taken around 80% of Gearing's lunges.
The second half starts brightly for Rustington, Boxall getting the free-kick which is deemed to be just outside the area, Gibbs is unable to find any Blues heads with the resulting cross. Wealden find their way into the game by increasing the aggression, increasingly charged tackles, along with the deterioation of the pitchnot helping matters. A double substitution is made, with Terry Withers and Steve Kirkham replacing Lee Gibbs and Andy Boxall just after the hour. Wealden do let up however and create two good chances, Christodolou and Beard combining to breaking the deadlock in a goal mouth scramble. Alex Thomson also sees another chance fly by after a loose pass from the Blues midfield.
Rustington fight hard into the last ten minutes, a great cross from Cumber is inches away from finding Kirkham at the far post, if not for a superb interception by the Wealden defender, Sean Brownell. Sean Duffy and Kirkham find chances at the end, and with a harsh booking to Adam Bibb towards the end of the game, plus some added pressure from Wealden through a spate of corners, the game ends goaless.
The Blues did well to keep parity in this one and remain unbeaten for over two months - the point claimed today was once that was earned, and should look forward to the next challenge at Midhurst.
Goalscorers
None
Team
Macca, Duffy, Bibb, Neal,
Hellen, Butt, Morten, Cumber,
Smart, Boxal, Gibbs
Subs
S Kirkham (for Boxall 65),
T Withers (for Gibbs 65),
C Couzens (Not Used),
J Askew (Not Used)
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