Rusthall 3-2 Bromley Green

Rusthall finally secured their first home win of the season when Dave Burren bundled the ball over the line on 89 minutes after the home side had twice given up the lead in front of a crowd of 82, writes Richard Smith.

The kick off was delayed by 45 minutes as Bromley Green struggled to find a ground they played at last season and three car loads of their supporters found with no problem.

Forced to change from their regular green and white hooped shirts the visitors turned up with Green & White striped shirts.

From the kick off Bromley Green's aggressive approach thwarted Rusthall's attempt to play their normal passing game and the game lacked any flow.

Then on 19 minutes the home side broke the deadlock, Last seasons leading scorer Rob Perkins was bundled over in the area and got up to make no mistake from the spot.

Rusthall's new young striker John Penny was struggling to come to terms with physical side of his man to man marking, which prevented him from holding the ball up and this led to the Rustics losing possession.

They were punished for this on 29 minutes, they conceded a silly free kick 25 yards from goal and a quickly taken free kick from the superb Marcos Hodges gave Phil Hawkins no chance in the Rusthall goal.

With the game drifting aimlessly to half time at 1-1, Bromley Green were reduced to 10 men.

Former Tunbridge Wells midfielder Buster Beaney was shown a yellow card for not retreating 10 yards at a free kick despite three requests from the referee and then charging down the kick when it was taken, giving the referee little option but to send him off.

Rusthall failed to capitalise on the extra man in the second half and the game lacked any flow and had the chance to regain the lead on the hour when they were awarded a second penalty following a push on Steve Ashmore from a corner, but the usually reliable Perkins shot over the bar from the spot.

However, on 73 minutes they took the lead when Martin Millins fired home from close range.

As in the previous two games the Rustics were in front late in the second half and should have closed the game out but with just 2 minutes remaining a lapse in concentration allowed Bromley Green to get level, the defence allowed Hodges to much room and a striker of his class does not need a 2nd chance.

Just when it looked like a fourth draw on the trot substitute Dave Burren popped up to secure the points from close range.

The Rustics must now try and build on this victory, after six games they have lost just once but have drawn three. Next up for them is another home game with Sheerness East visiting next Saturday.