Stansfeld FC v Rusthall

   Stansfeld/Eltham Palace put an end to the longest unbeaten run in the National League system this season with this fine 2-1 victory away at Rusthall. Rusthall had gone 17 League games without defeat and are clear at the top of SCEFL Division 1.
   Stansfeld were good value for their win and on another day the scoreline may have been much more convincing. Centre-back Charlie Burgess and top scorer Billy Shinners terrorised the Rusthall defence at set pieces all afternoon and Rusthall had to rely on keeper Sean Ingleson keeping the game goalless in the first half, as he pulled off a series of top drawer saves. While at the other end Billy Jolley, standing in for the suspended James Bradley was a virtual spectator, with only a few shots from distance to tend with. Shinners had a great chance to open the scoring just before the break when he lost his marker at the far post, but he volleyed his shot into the side netting.
   Stansfeld started the second half really brightly and Ingleson was soon called into action again. This time he had to dive full length to push a Shinners header around the post for a corner. But Rusthall's relief was short lived as the resulting corner ended with Stansfeld taking the lead, after Sam Ryan reacted quickest to force the ball home from close range, after another towering header from Burgess was blocked in the 6-yard box.
   Stansfeld's joy was short lived though, as 7 minutes later. centre half George Snelling, under no real pressure slipped while ushering the ball out of play, allowing a free cross to be flashed across the face of the goal, where a grateful Dan Mitchell crashed the ball home from 2-yards. The goal knocked Stansfeld on their heels for 10 minutes or so, but they gradually got themselves back on top again and it wasn't long before the chances started to arrive again. Shinners had a shot well saved and also headed over the bar from a corner, while Charlie Burgess crashed a header against the bar.
   With time running out Shinners thought he had won the game for Stansfeld, when he again found himself clear at the far post, but Ingleson somehow got a foot to the striker's point blank volley to prevent a certain goal.
   With the final whistle fast approaching both sides pushed forward for the winner, but Stansfeld always looked the more likely to snatch something. The game was eventually won a minute into injury time when Shinners latched on to the end of a long ball out of defence from Perry Holland and calmly beat the advancing Ingleson with a powerful drive to secure all 3 points.
   A final mention must go to Referee Louise Saunders whose game management and decision making was top drawer all afternoon.