After an easy win last time out and their recent form of not fulfilling fixtures no one was really worried about the outcome of today’s game. It was more about scoring loads of goals and playing some good football. With the big games coming in November it was important to get in to some good habits and increase the confidence in the camp with a strong performance and a few goals. The injury list is still on the increase however so it was another thin squad that travelled away to Southwood Road. Gammon, Bowlsey, Hobbit, Junior, Shaggy and of course Gandhi are all on the injured list, it must be getting crowded in the treatment room! Couple this with Robbie G being absent, 2Gun Willy away on a kiddie fiddling day out and Nikul making his debut for Fenwick’s in the coffee machine department and you can see why we were again down to the bare bones. This meant a league debut for the Big Show who partnered Gozzy up top and a recall for wayward teenage sensation Mitch Cowan who returned on the bench. Hathaway was also recalled to the squad after a two week break for ‘personal reasons’ filling in at right back.
The first half was all one way traffic and it wasn’t long before Gozzy opened the scoring with his 7th goal in 7 games. Rusthall failed to clear a corner and Gozzy hooked a volley in to the top corner from 15 yards. Bert tried to claim the assist for this one, but I think it would have to go to a Rusthall defender if anyone. Captain Underpants made it two with a low well placed drive into the bottom right hand corner. Before long it was 3, this time Bayley got in on the action and if anyone out there deserved a goal it was Bayley. After a start stop start to the season he has hit some scintillating form of late and was at it again today. Every goal kick and clearance from the Rusthall back 5 was smashed right back at them from the Wee man’s head. Huffer’s went on a trademark surging run forward before slipping Gilbert in to slot home nicely for 3 Zip. Gozzy made it 4 just before half time. If I’m honest I can’t really remember it but I think it was a one-on-one? Anyway he scored and completed a well deserved first half hat trick. NiceGuy was returning in the stick after a 4week injury lay off and looked sharp. A smart save with his shoulder and a diving save low to his left kept it clean at half time.
Early in the 2nd half Axel Foley was played through into the Rusthall box and was promptly upended by the Rusthall right back. It was the end of his afternoon. As a result of the foul Axel hobbled off to be replaced by Mitch, much to the pleasure of the travelling fans. Bert dispatched the pen without any fuss. At this point I think most of the players and supporters started feeling sorry for the Rusthall keeper who was having a blinder. It could have very well been 14 or 15 nil today without his efforts. The home side pulled a goal back with a very tasty free kick on the edge of the box, no one was quite sure what the free kick was awarded for and who gave away the foul? We replied promptly, this time Gozzy was heading away from goal when the retard Rusthall number 5 chopped him down from behind. This time the luckless Craig Bishop stepped up. Hearts were in mouths as he had missed chance after chance all afternoon and I think most people half expected him to run up and try a diving header. But he made no mistake from 12 yards, cooly firing home for 6-1 and grabbing himself a debut goal. We reverted to a 3-5-2 in the second half with Huffers having a ‘free role’ in the middle. Mr Ed, Ads and Le Sulk dealt with the Rusthall attack without too many problems. Nice Guy made one very good save from close range but again didn’t have too much to worry about. Mitch’s come back was a solid display and great to see him back in the black and red. One of the highlights of the day was seeing the world’s longest 1-2. On the break from a corner Gozzy rolled the ball out to Thumbelina wide on the left and continued his run forward, Thumbers, controlled the ball, took aim and fired 50 yard pass right on to Gozzy’s head 5 yards from goal but he just miss timed his jump and it glanced past him.
An easy 3 points at the end of the day but the way they’re going probably 3 points that will get chalked off in a couple of weeks. Never the less a good all round performance, especially from our midfield pair and again another outstanding Captain’s performance.
