Sat 11th Aug: Premier Division
Sheerness East 2
J.Salvidge
K.Williams
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Rusthall 2
J.Mills
G.Stock
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Rusthall were the visitors as Sheerness East kicked off the new season on a sunny August afternoon. Expectations are high this season as manager Dave Down has signed a few new players, of which two, Matt Harding (right wing) and Craig Holland (striker) started the game. Rusthall started the better side and should have taken the lead after 8 minutes. Dave Burren's attempt was inches wide of the far post after shooting across the East goalkeeper Richard Higgin. Andy Myles cut inside from the left and played in Rob Perkins who then hit the side netting. East did have one chance in the first half when a defender slipped and Paul Colenutt found room in the left channel, his shot was on target but saved by Phil Hawkins in the Rusthall goal.
Four minutes into the second half, there was confusion on both benches as the referees assistant flagged for offside but the referee over-ruled him and awarded a corner to the visitors. Ciaran Aldous rose to flick away the resulting corner for another on the opposite side. This time the East defence went to sleep and James Mills headed home unopposed from six yards. East equalised seven minutes later when Aldous ran from the halfway line into the Rusthall penalty area, his shot across the goal was parried out by the keeper and Jamie Salvidge was on hand to tap the ball home. Sheerness then looked the more threatening and started to settle down more, passing the ball around with more confidence than in the first half.
In the 62nd minute, Colenutt swung the ball in form a corner on the left and Kevin Williams came in at the far post to thump the ball home with his head, leaving the keeper with no chance and giving East the lead. 65 minutes and Craig Holland, having run himself into the ground, was replaced my Ben Ansell.
Rusthall scored the last goal of the game after 70 minutes when skipper Gary Stock ran forward and tried his luck from 20 yards out, his shot was blocked but fell straight into his path again. This time he unleashed a thunderbolt that kept low and beat Higgin to his right. With 10 minutes to go, Matt Harding made way for Richard King down the right.
Next week we are at home to the Premier League new boys, Tyler Hill. K.O. 2:45pm
J. Wilson - Sheerness East FC |
