A game featuring two very different approaches to how to play football saw the good guys come out on top as the easy-on-the-eye style of Rusthall overcame the ugly long-ball tactics of a Lydd side who looked fortunate to even be bottom of the league.

Once again, the Rusthall line-up had a familiar feel with the solid back five including the returning Louis Anderson alongside the formidable duo of Dan Blunn and Robbie Bissett. Mustafa Hashemi took the left-back berth and would prove a valuable attacking presence in support of Yassin Fares on the left. Jack Kirby, fresh from scoring a brace against Meridian in midweek, roamed the pitch from the Number 10 position with hat-trick hero Charlie Clover ahead of him and Kalani Barton to the right. The heart of the midfield was where this game was won and it was Jeffrey Njuguna and Man of the Match, Frank Griffin, who would prove key to nullifying any potential threat from the away side, as well as helping the Rustics move forward with purpose.

From the off, it was clear how Lydd would approach the game and it was a surprise to no one. Balls were constantly pumped long in the vain hope Stefan Payne would be willing to shuffle over to win the ball- up against Blunn and Bissett, and with an incredibly half-hearted work ethic, he stood little chance. If any of the Rusthall backline had any fear of Payne dishing out the same sort of horrific challenge as Callum Taylor suffered the last time he visited, they had little to worry about as he seemed incapable or unwilling- perhaps both- to get anywhere near them.

It was, however, the away side who took the lead after 13 minutes when a shot rebounded off the post and Matthew Astle was on hand to finish. Ryan Philpott, Lydd Town’s number 9 and surely no relation of Glebe marksman, Jamie, took great delight in acting as official scorekeeper by signalling his side’s lead to the Rusthall fans. One suspects if this Philpott were asked to fill a pot, there would be quite a bit of soil left on the floor. He would go on to do very little of anything else until being withdrawn with a fair portion of the match remaining.

There have been many occasions where going 1-0 down would prove to be the end for Rusthall but this team have such resolve and determination, they should never count themselves out. Robbie Bissett personified this perfectly when, despite perhaps feeling slightly culpable for the opener, he went on to put in another towering display, winning every header, keeping everyone in order, and ensuring Lydd’s long ball game had no chance of prevailing. The first half was, in truth, not Rusthall’s finest, despite being well on top throughout. Credit must go to the likes of Barton, Kirby and Fares who found themselves on the end of some brutal challenges throughout the afternoon- they kept going and showed that class beats thuggery every time. In terms of chances there were few- Charlie Clover went closest to levelling when he was played in behind the ponderously slow Ryan Smith but Sam Freeman saved well.

The second half was much improved for the home side as they began to turn domination into threat on a much more regular basis. Yassin Fares has scored some truly memorable goals over the last few seasons and he added another to his collection on 54 minutes to bring Rusthall level. When he picked the ball up on the left-hand side, it looked unlikely he would find a route to goal through the five players in front of him. Head down, and with one thing on his mind, he picked his way through the Lydd defenders- round one, past another, somehow round a player he’d beaten once already, and then one of the most incredible finishes you will see at any level- the ball arrowed off the Italian magician’s left boot into the near top corner of the net leaving all in attendance stunned.

Lydd were rocked and unable to get back into the game while Rusthall were immediately keen to get the winner they deserved. Griffin and Njuguna continued to dominate in the middle of the park and this was key to allowing Rusthall’s attackers to cause a threat the Lydd defenders were incapable of dealing with. The winner came with six minutes remaining- the ball dropped to Jack Kirby on the edge of the box and his first touch was perfect. His shot seemed to float gracefully through the air, flying past Freeman and nestling in off the post. Kirby and the rest of the Rusthall players ran to the halfway line to the delighted crowd- a truly memorable moment.

Lydd tried to scrape an equaliser but when he was needed, Serine Sanneh was there to claim the ball confidently, see the ball out, and ensure the remaining time was well-managed. There was still time for Robbie Dolan to prove that football is secondary to this Lydd Town team by stamping on Charlie Clover three times before slapping him in the face- offences unsurprisingly missed by the officials. The final whistle blew, the Lydd players slunk back to the changing rooms and the Rusthall party began on a big day for the club. Three points helped make the live music from Arron the Loop Guy in the FanZone, and the official launch of the book celebrating the club’s 125-year anniversary all the sweeter.

With this important win, Rusthall increase their point tally to 19, while Lydd remain rooted to the foot of the table. This was very much bottom-of-the-league football from the away side and it will surely be hoped the seemingly incoming Nicky Southall can inspire a slightly more effective style of play in the coming weeks. For Rusthall, their great form continues and next up is another home game on Saturday against Lordswood.

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