FIRST TEAM MATCH REPORT

Rustington   1 - 1    Steyning Town

Rustington were held to a frustrating draw at the hands of a fortunate Steyning side who were able to hang on by their fingernails, especially late on in the second half. A hatful of chances were agonisingly missed and the Blues could have won by a considerable margin, however some quality distribution from all around the park was not converted.

Steynings physical presence would have been in the back of the managements mind from the defeat at the Shooting Field, and Chris Kirkham was immeadiately eager to get into the action, battering and clattering his way through the defence and giving away a foul, central defenders Adam Bibb and Brett Neal also coping well with the front two of Steyning. James Butt begins the first notable attack for Rustington, supplying a slide rule pass to Sean Duffy down the inside channel, which forces a corner - Butt lays off a half cleared ball to Cumber on the edge of the area, but isnt able to get enough power into the shot.

Steyning punish Rustington with their initial attack, captain James Davis crosses in from the right, Bibb mistimes the clearance which slides under his foot, and Nick Green has the easiest of chances from 10 yards out. The game was stopped for a 'canine infringement' carefully removed by a brave Brett Neal, as the game resumed - James Bennett had a decent effort headed towards the top-right but the keeper was well positioned to catch comfortably. Steyning could have increased their lead - what appeared to be a blatant foul on Ryan Morten in an unfamilar role at right-back, the linesmans flag stayed down and Simon Price was allowed to break on the left, his crossfield pass just behind Nick Green.

Although some of the play was generally mediocre the chances still came, another chance for Green went begging however the clearance finds Lee Gibbs on the left, he fires a cross field ball to Sean Duffy, who reciprocates the pass back to Gibbs, who pulls a shot left. As the wing play improves for Rustington, the threat on the Steyning goal increases, Gibbs from the short corner found James Butt whos header shaved the left hand post. Towards the half time interval came controversy, Neal was deemed to lash out at Nick Green - with the view I had, Neal ran past him and clipped him, with Green overacting with Neal booked, the referees story changed depending on who he talked to. Andy Smart and Steve Kirkham had an additional couple of chances but nothing was converted up to the half time whistle.

Steynings mounting aggression continued into the second half, with Adam Bibb booked. The first chance for Rustington came in the second half on the hour mark. Gibbs released a crossfield pass to Duffy who gave himself room to pass to Andy Smart in the clear, but steered his shot to the 'keeper. Richie Hellen replaced Ryan Morten and with the Blues looking to up the ante in attack, switch to a 3-4-3. Steynings have their chances, Simon Price with a great freekick which connects with Sean Hourigan - a good save from Andy McCarthy denies him.

With 25 minutes to go it was all Rustington, James Butt's cross is received by Sean Duffy, the put back across goal finds Steve Kirkham who misdirects the header. The Blues really are motoring and use some excellent football - Terry Withers, replacing Kirkham, Smart, Duffy, Gibbs, all involved. The equlaiser was not far away and is duly came in the 82nd minute. Duffy from 18 yards rifles a shot against the bar, after a failed clearance Smart is able to collect the pieces and buries the shot under Mike Abbott. Rustington search for the winner from screams from the bench not to let up, Joe Lewis Cumber and Smart again inches away. It was all to no avail and the Blues had to settle for a point.

Rustington were not beaten, but Lingfield find themselves four points clear in second but have played two more games. East Grinstead narrowly beating Storrington away meant another step towards the Division 2 title. The Blues will be looking to take an essential three points against lowly Southwick at Jubilee Avenue next Saturday.

Goalscorers