Pitchero

Crowborough Athletic

Rusthall

H Muggeridge (1'), T Pearson (65'), S Carrington (71', 81')

Full time

D Mitchell (30', 84')

Thu 7 Sep 19:45 - Southern Counties East Football League - Premier Division Attendance 112

Report

Highlights

Selection

CROWS TAKE THE POINTS IN THE EAST SUSSEX/WEST KENT DERBY.

By Malcolm Boyes

Goals from Muggeridge, Pearson and two from substitute Carrington earn the points for the Crows.

Good game to watch.
My report this week of our most recent game will be brief, thank heaven for that I hear say, as there's an excellent report of the game from Stephen McCartney which can be found here, http://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/crowrust070917 and goes in to greater detail and has interviews with both managers directly after the game.
For me, the game overall was a very good spectacle to watch as both sides wanted to attack at every opportunity, kept the ball on the deck wherever possible and mostly played in a good spirit. There was the odd tackle that was close to the knuckle from both sides but to be honest I've seen a lot worse in previous matches. After all, this was the first meeting between the clubs in the SCEFL following Rusthall's promotion from the SCEFL, First Division at the end of last season and was a local derby therefore, sometimes the desire to have one over your near neighbours takes over and can get a bit fruity.
For the Crows Walder had not recovered from an injury sustained in the SCEFL fixture away at Sevenoaks Town whilst Wayne Clarke was not available for selection. Plus, Zac Attwood and Dan Tear were not quite fit enough to start but were able to be on the bench. All of this meant that Barton was drafted in to replace Tear, Goldsmith replaced Clarke and Pearson came into the starting eleven as a replacement for Attwood.
Crows went 1-0 up after just one minute, Muggeridge finishing smartly from 12 yards our, giving Culip in the Rusthall goal no chance. The next 29 minutes was very end to end stuff with Waterman and Muggeridge both seeing yellow for a midfield handbag session after 28 minutes.
In the 30th minute Rusthall got the equaliser, Mitchell heading the ball home after the Crows didn't defend a deep ball the back post well enough. Therefore, half time was reached with score at 1-1.
For the first 15 minutes of the second half both teams had chances but the away side had the greater possession but chances were not clear cut. However, in the 65th minute the Crows went back in front, Pearson putting the ball past Culip following a great ball from Connor Pring.
After this goal it gave the Crows a lift and they never looked like surrendering the lead again. In the 69th minute Treleaven was replaced by Carrington and the substitute made it 3-1 after an assist from Crabb who squared the ball to him some 8 yards out.
Another 12 minutes later 3-1 became 4-1 as Carrington got his second of the evening following some neat individual play in the area from himself.
Rusthall got their second in the 84th minute, Mitchell getting his second of the game from close in and perhaps the Crows will feel they could have defended the situation better.
The final score of 4-2 was perhaps a bit harsh on the visitors who look like a neat footballing side but the Crows did deserve the victory and the three points. Muggeridge was awarded the MOTM for the Crows for his all round play, goal and effort throughout the whole game where his vocal encouragement and full of energy display marked out from some other great individual performances by Crow players.