Rusthall 0-1 Tunbridge Wells - If anyone needs motivating for this then they're in the wrong game and thankfully the boys brought an eight or nine out of 10 performance and that's the most pleasing thing, says happy Tunbridge Wells boss Steve Ives

Rusthall 0 – 1 Tunbridge Wells
Location	Jockey Farm Stadium, Nellington Road, Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8SH
Kickoff	18/10/2025 15:00

RUSTHALL  0-1  TUNBRIDGE WELLS
The Isuzu FA Vase First Round
Saturday 18 October 2025
Stephen McCartney reports from Jockey Farm Stadium

TUNBRIDGE WELLS manager Steve Ives says his boys have brought an eight or nine out of 10 performance to pull off a determined FA Vase victory at Rusthall to reach the Second Round for the 26^th time in their history.

The Rustics’ were strong favourites to win this disappointing derby, as Jimmy Anderson’s side were 12 games unbeaten, have won their last six games and have kept four clean-sheets in a row.

Rusthall were unbeaten in fourth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table with 21 points (six wins, three draws) from their nine games.

Anderson’s men have beaten Stansfeld (2-1) and Seaford Town (4-1) to reach this stage of the competition for the first time, while Tunbridge Wells were Wembley runners-up back in 2013 under Martin Larkin, who now coaches an under nine side in an Academy run by Ives’ predecessor, Luke Carpenter.

Tunbridge Wells arrived at Jockey Farm Stadium on a run of three games without a win and hadn't scored in their last three games, losing 3-0 at third-bottom side Corinthian in the Kent Senior Trophy last Saturday.

Tunbridge Wells were in eleventh-place in the table, having picked up 17 points (five wins, two draws and six defeats) from their 13 league games.

But Ives got his game plan spot on, as talisman winger/striker Regan Corke flicked in his sixth goal of the season with only 13 minutes remaining to claim the local bragging rights and silence their noisy neighbours with a deserved surprising victory.

Only two miles separate the two clubs but this was only the 14^th meeting, with this being Tunbridge Wells’ eighth victory (Rusthall winning three and three draws), with the first competitive meeting coming in August 2017.

Rusthall's 12-goal leading goalscorer, Louie Clarke was unavailable and centre-half Robbie Bissett suffered a bang to the knee in the first half but managed to play the whole game.

Tunbridge Wells are expected to miss trio Jacob Feasey (ACL), Nathan Moseley (knee ligament damage) and Kazzeem Richards (broken ankle) for the rest of the season, while Ryan Coltress was suspended.

Tunbridge Wells created eight on-target attempts, while hosts Rusthall only created three, while 22-year-old Rusthall keeper Serine Sannah made six saves, with three coming from his opposite number, George Bentley, 25.

“I think from our point of view, it was a very determined performance, really important after our recent short form that we responded and sort of showed everybody really what we’re about,” said Ives.

“I think the clean sheet was obviously the building  block for the win and it was a close game.  I think both sides had good chances, both keepers were called into action but Regan Corke’s managed to take the chance when it’s come and yes, we’re through, which is fantastic for the club and fantastic for the fans.

“We done our homework on what we thought Rusthall would do, how we thought they like to play.  You don’t really want to know the boring details but I felt we carried it out pretty effectively and pretty happy really.

“They’ve got some very good players and they’re free-flowing. They’re scoring a lot of goals (29 in nine league games) and they’ve not lost all season (in the league).

“I thought Josh Reid out on the left-wing was particularly dangerous. Charlie Clover was the Golden Boot winner from last season and we also knew if we allowed their midfield to dictate the tempo of the game, it could be a really long afternoon.

“They had spells – it wasn’t as if we dominated by any stretch – but I think they had long spells where they were probably on top but I think our discipline and shape, our organisation, our communication was all first class really today.”

Rusthall assistant manager Lee Chambers said: “I think it was a typical cup tie in terms of we see it week-in-week-out. You expect a real good game.   I don’t think there were too many clear-cut chances in the game for either team today.

“We’re disappointed in our performance today. I don’t think it was a good game in general. Limited chances from both sides and it was only going to be the difference, I think, of someone taking a chance to nicking it 1-0 and that’s what’s happened.”

Rusthall were clear favourites pre-match but they failed to live up to expectations and several of their key attacking players froze and failed to deliver, including striker Charlie Clover, attacking midfielder Jack Lyons, winger Jack Low and midfielder James Miles. It was like they crumbled under the pressure of all this talk of being involved in a title race with Whitstable Town.

“I think some have played in these big games, some haven’t and we sort of not played the game down but played the occasion down and just treated it like any other game,” said Chambers.

“I think some of the players today haven’t stepped up in that situation and we know how much it means to the football club. We know how much it means playing against your rivals and I just think it was a game, it was either going to be a mistake or it was going to be one chance that killed the game.

“We haven’t changed the way, how we play, all season. We respect every opposition that we play. We know the threats that Tunbridge Wells have. They’re an organised team but for us we didn’t change the way that we played. We play the pitch. We like to play football and it was no different to any other game for us.”

Rusthall created their first attempt on goal after only 23 seconds, when high right-back Louis Anderson played a long ball forward, which was initially controlled by Jack Kirby’s head, before bringing it down and cutting into the box but his low angled drive was comfortably held by Bentley beside his near-post.

“We got into some good areas in and around the 18, apart from Josh Reid hitting the post, we haven’t really made Bentley make too many saves today,” admitted Chambers.

“I think the frustrating thing for us is we haven’t been good enough in the attacking third and we’ve made one mistake in our box and it’s cost us being in the next round.

“Our rotations and our movement is key for how we play in this system and third man runs in behind is what we try to create and it was another opportunity, there was just too much weight on the pass.”

Ives added: “I mean, the one thing we said in the changing room before we went out, you’re not going to win it in the first 10 minutes but you could certainly lose it and to give them an early sight of our goal like that is obviously not what we wanted but fair play, Bents has done his job, as did their keeper for much of the game.”

Tunbridge Wells created their first opening (5:26) when centre-half Ryan Hine hit a long ball straight down the middle and recalled attacking midfielder Matt Black’s weak right-footed shot from 22-yards rolled into the gloves of the untroubled Sanneh, holding the ball low to his right.

Ives said: “I did actually see quite a few examples of where we were able to move the ball actively through the midfield, how I wanted us to and all the time you’ve got Regan and D’Armando’s legs, Rusthall are quite an aggressive side.

“They send their full-backs high and fair play to them. It puts you under a bit of pressure but it also leaves spaces but if you’ve got the kind of runners we’ve got, particularly with Matt Black in the 10 today, that was kind of where we felt we could probably have some success.”

However, both teams appeared to be nervous during the opening 20 minutes and both sides often gave the ball away, watched by Rusthall’s third ever highest crowd of 844.

Ives said: “Was it as long as 20? It definitely felt like - time sort of goes in a bit of a blur when you’re standing there. It did feel early doors there was a few too many miss-placed passes from both teams.

“I could see the pictures of what I wanted to happen but our execution weren’t good enough at times, so that was frustrating.”

Bissett committed a foul by bringing down Tunbridge Wells’ six-goal striker D’Armando Lawrence and received treatment to his knee in the process and Jack Gallagher’s low left-footed free-kick from 30-yards, which was destined for the bottom far corner, was gathered by Sanneh at the second attempt.

“I was a bit disappointed because I felt if Regan had been a little bit quicker, I felt he could’ve got there for that. I think he was a little bit slow reacting but yes, we both sort of tested each other out,” said Ives.

“Was it an entertaining game? It felt like an entertaining game. Obviously, I’m not a neutral. Was it a bit cagey? What do you expect? We’re playing a side that’s got a goal-difference of plus 20. We’re not going to come out and try to blow them away, are we?!”

Chambers added: “I think it takes a little bit of a bobble in front of him as well, which means he can’t claim it first time round but picked up the pieces as well.”

Recalled Tunbridge Wells centre-half, Tommy Penfold, was man-of-the-match for keeping 10-goal striker Clover in his pocket.

Rusthall’s holding midfielder Frank Griffin fed the impressive Joshua Reid, who cut in from the left and put in a cross with his right-foot and Clover controlled the ball with his chest before lashing his right-footed drive over the crossbar from 16-yards in the 18^th minute.

“Tommy Penfold’s missed the last four or five games for us. Having him back in there today wasn’t all about him but the whole defence was fantastic but I felt we did manage to keep Charlie relatively quiet, which I’m fully aware of what a dangerous player he is,” added Ives.

Anderson travelled over the halfway line before slipping winger Low, who played the ball in behind for Clover but his right-footed low angled drive from 15-yards was comfortably held by Bentley, low to his right.

“I think I would say Charlie was bullied a bit today,” claimed Chambers.

“In the first half we were frustrated a little bit about some of the supply that we were giving to him. He doesn’t want balls aerially. He needs them into his feet. If he’s going to hold the ball up and fair play to the two centre-halves today (Ryan Hine and Penfold), I thought they done a job on him and defended well.”

Rusthall were to be denied the lead with 22:02 on the clock, when Rusthall’s dangermen were able to express themselves.

No one pressed Rusthall central midfielder Jack Miles, who played a fine pass out to Reid on the left-wing and he easily cut inside Tunbridge Wells’ right-back Joshua McArthur-Nolan and his right-footed shot from 16-yards pinged against the foot of the near-post.

“I see what he’s trying to do there. I also think he probably needs to go the other side. I think it opens up for him to pt it into the other corner,” said Chambers.

“Josh Reid, that’s his trademark. He loves to cut in and pull it near post but a bit unfortunate for us, it hits the woodwork.

“He was a bit of an outlet for us today and he was our most liveliest threat today. They nullified him a little bit in the second half, doubled up on him and it frustrated us.

“If anyone was going to create something or get something or take their chance in the game, it looked like it was going to come from Josh Reid.”

Ives said: “Our shape was as good as it’s been for a long time. It wasn’t perfect. It’s never going to be perfect over 96 minutes but having a good shape made it more difficult for them to do what they want to do.

“I thought Josh Reid was the one who looked like he might hurt us. Macca (McArthur-Nolan) had to really be on the money to deal with him because he had to deal with him one-v-one a lot and I particularly thought that was Macca’s best game of the season to be fair.

“That’s where games turn isn’t it. That’s fine margines.  I tell you where it started, it started from us making a bad decision with our passing in midfield, they’ve picked it off, they’ve fed him. We haven’t been able to get the cover to Macca earlier enough because they’ve caught us and yes that’s millimetres isn’t it and that goes in, the whole tempo of the game changes and we’re having a completely different conversation and that’s football.”

Lawrence broke down the left and went on a 60-yard run to reach the by-line, left a sliding Anderson on his backside inside the penalty area before cutting inside and seeing his low shot being cleared away by Rusthall left-back Kareem Rahman inside the six-yard box.

Tunbridge Wells were to be denied with a clear-cut chance with 28:54 on the clock.

Holding midfielder Chris Lawal played the ball into McArthur-Bolan who travelled over the halfway line and wasn’t pressed before he split open Rusthall’s two centre-halves (Daniel Blunn and Bissett) with a fine low through ball.

Rory Ward isn’t known for his ruthlessness in front of goal and the central midfielder stroked a right-footed shot across Sanneh, who got down low to his right and used a strong right-hand to make a big save in a one-v-one.

“We were probing, we were creating opportunities. Some of the running off the ball that we were doing was exactly what we wanted,” said Ives.

“I think Serine was more than played his part in that game. He’s probably made three or four good saves across the course of the game, so let’s not paint it we were lucky.

“I think it was a very even game that could’ve gone either way and we’ve taken our chance.”

Chambers added: “In the first half there were limited chances. Our one from Josh Reid that hit the post and they’ve had a couple of half-chances and then that one from Rory but a good save from Serine.”

Blunn gave the ball away and Gallagher’s first time pass fed Ward, who fed Corke, who cut inside and onto his left-foot and his curler from 20-yards went around the far post.

Tunbridge Wells were enjoying a good spell at this point in the game and Gallagher fed the threatening Lawrence but his right-footed drive from 25-yards bounced into Sanneh’s midriff for a comfortable save.

The end of the half was an open affair – but it always felt that this derby would be settled by just the one goal.

Rusthall who won the corner count by five-to-none, should have done better from their first delivery.

Low floated the ball in from the right and Griffin found a pocket of space at the near-post to guide his header across the goal and the ball was cleared and Tunbridge Wells almost scored just 14 seconds later.

Black rode a challenge from a pressing Kirby on the touch line and the ball was worked to Corke, who swept a pass over to an unmarked Lawrence, whose right-footed shot was heading towards the bottom far corner, only for Sanneh to dive to his left and get a strong left-hand to the shot.

“D’Armando hasn’t scored for a few weeks. He was our top goalscorer. I think Reg has just equalled him but if you can get your strikers facing their goalkeeper in the penalty box, you’re doing something right.  You’ve just got to hope sooner or later one goals in,” said Ives.

“That was a classing example of us absorbing what they had and then playing it on the break and using the pace that we knew we had, so that was a sort of example of how we wanted to play this game.”

Chambers added: “We was a little bit disappointed with us in transition today in terms of not reacting and not making recovery runs quick enough and we addressed that at half-time.

“Even second half we were a little bit better with it but we wanted more from the boys today, like going forward.  We’re better when we play with high tempo and in transition we recover quickly, that’s what we do but today at both ends going forward and recovery, we just didn’t seem we was on it.”

Reid – who was Rusthall’s most threatening player – played the ball in from the left wing to Kirby, whose right-footed shot from 22-yards curled around Bentley and past the far post.

Brighton-based referee Wayne Pocock – who hasn’t officiated these two club’s before – blew his half-time whistle (47:20), with this game needing something to spark it off.

Chambers said: “Be patient!” The first 10 minutes we said you’ve got to bed into the game. I mean you’re not going to win it in the first 10 minutes.

“In the grand scheme of things, certain players, it might be their first derby. Some of the experienced players know how to play these games. Grow into the game, be patient and at half-time it was yes, we created a couple of chances but hoping that second half we take it up a gear and then just still be patient with the ball and if we move the ball with purpose like we do, will the opportunities arise?

“Frustrating enough for us, again we got into some good areas but final decision or final ball, just wasn’t good enough!”

Ives added: “It was pretty much, we re-enforced the good points. Talked about trying to stop their centre-half playing round the outside to the full-back. That was something we felt we had to avoid and just communicating and be well-disciplined with how we were rotating our midfield in and out of possession.

“What I felt they did better in the second half was hit those diag’s. Some of their distribution was very, very good. I guess they’re very aggressive of how many men they throw forward. If we did that we’d probably be in all sorts of problems because our distribution is not always as good as them. I take my hat off to them, that’s a good side, they know what they’re doing.”

Rusthall called Bentley into making a save following the home side’s second corner of the game (4:31).

Griffin swung in a corner from the left with his right-foot, the ball was cleared out to Bissett, who laid the ball off to Miles in the middle, whose right-footed swept shot from 18-yards centrally was flicked away by Bentley, diving to his left.

“I’m pleased with any clean sheet against anyone. I was pleased when we got a clean sheet against (Kent County League side) Metrogas in the Kent Senior Trophy, not that it did me any good because we got beaten by Corinthian in the next round,” said Ives.

“Clean sheets are hard to come by. We don’t have the benefit of training as a backline particularly often because of injuries and having to look after certain players.

“Clean sheets aren’t just about the goalkeeper. They’re not just about your back four. They’re about your strikers not allowing the defenders to have good possession. They’re about your midfield jumping onto people at the right times and I thought from back to front we got it pretty right a lot of the time.”

Chambers added: “Milo hit it cleanly, that’s what he does. Good save from the keeper though but all in all, limited chances from us today and that’s the frustrating thing.”

Tunbridge Wells should have broken the stalemate in the 59^th minute when Lawal played the ball in behind Bissett to put Corke through on goal, who took a touch before dragging his right-footed shot across Sanneh and wide of the target.

Ives said: “That’s classic isn’t it? If you’ve got Regan running off of people’s shoulders, you’re going to get opportunities. I remember that one well. He’s dragged it. I don’t think the keeper’s getting there if that’s on target personally, but there you go,” added Ives.

Chambers said: “I’ve said it before the game, I said it during the game, Regan is the type of striker that needs one chance and he’ll take it and today he’s had two chances and he’s really taken one of those.  A bit unfortunate that he’s dragged the other one wide but Regan’s a great player, always has been, always will be. A great asset to the team and that was another one that we had to keep an eye on.”

Tunbridge Wells left-back Muiz Alaka then supported Lawrence in the left-channel and swept a low first-time angle drive from inside the box which rolled into the  gloves of the untroubled Rusthall goalkeeper (16:52) as the away side looked the more likely to win this tie.

“We do create chances, that’s what we do and today we were missing a couple of players. Louie Clarke being one but there was enough quality within the squad today to be able to go and create hances and that was the most frustrating thing,” added Chambers, who was then asked about his side’s second half performance.

“I think it was much of the same as the first half. We had a lot of possession, which we did in the first half and it was just when we progressed the ball there just wasn’t that cut-throat precision from us today and that’s the frustrating thing because I know what we’re capable of.

“We’ve proved it in the last seven or eight games, we’ve scored three or more in most games and we’ve really put teams to bed, so second half we were expecting more and the players that have come off the bench didn’t impact it as we would like them to but we need to let this one go now and we need to get ourselves ready for Tuesday.”

Tunbridge Wells sealed their passage into the Second Round by scoring the only goal of the game, timed at 31 minutes and 40 seconds, with a well-worked counter-attacking move.

Substitute Rhys Bartlett – who came on in the 69^th minute to partner Corke in attack – played a fine pass from just over the half-way line to release Gallagher down the left and his left-footed cross came in from the channel and Blunn had tightly marked Corke, who flicked his shot with the outside of his right-boot across the keeper and into the far corner from six-yards.

“First and foremost I would say that I thought Rhys made a massive impact when he came on,” said Ives.

“I thought his work-rate was phenomenal and that’s what you need from a squad isn’t it?  I think all of the boys that ended up coming on played a part.

“He’s won the ball, he’s fed Gallo, Gallo’s a natural left footer so we moved him further forward into the 10 when we withdrew Blacky and it was a fantastic ball just gagging for someone to arrive and thankfully on that occasion we had someone there.  Reg has got there first and buried it, so I’m really happy.”

When asked about the goal, Chambers added: “They’ve got in and around the 18-yard box and they’ve made something happen, created the chance and taken it and that’s one thing that we didn’t do today and full credit to them. That’s won them the game.”

Rusthall’s players showed enough character to keep going and continue to press for a late leveller.

Alaka caught substitute right-winger Jaevon Dyer to prevent a counter-attack and was to be one of five players to be cautioned by the referee.

Griffin whipped in a quality delivery (40:40) from the resulting free-kick and Bissett get in behind and lashed his shot high over the crossbar from a very tight angle.

Rusthall went very close to levelling on a couple of occasions inside stoppage time.

Miles’ free-kick was punched a long way by Bentley’s first and in the second phase of the set-piece, the ball came out to Bissett on the right corner of the penalty area and he played the ball across to Kirby, whose right-footed shot from 22-yards flashed past the diving keeper and just past the foot of the left-hand post (47:36).

Lady luck was shining in Tunbridge Wells’ favour, as Rusthall almost grabbed an equaliser with the last touch of the game (50:33).

Manager Jimmy Anderson sent up his goalkeeper for their fifth and final corner, which was swung in by Griffin from the left and Bissett’s towering header at the far post looped narrowly over the crossbar rather than the top right-hand corner.

“Again, one thing we do is play right to the final whistle. You can’t play for 90 minutes anymore. You’ve got to play for 95-100 minutes. We kept going right to the end,” said Chambers.

“Was it going to be a scrappy equaliser? Was it going to be one that comes of someone’s back and ended up in the back of the net?  In these moments, you’d take anything.

“We kept pushing right to the wire. That’s what we’ve got to give the boys credit for but ultimately it wasn’t our day in front of the goal.”

Ives added: “It’s a Cup competition, no extra-time, which I’ve got to be honest, I personally think it’s poor. I think for The FA Vase, I think there should be extra time, if necessarily and rightly so.

“They’re throwing everything they’ve got at it, including their goalkeeper. We had to defend well. We had to absorb. We had to put our bodies on the line and that little bit of luck because on another day I  guess that’s on target and you never know but thankfully through determination and a little bit of fortune we was able to get over the line.

“I just enjoy winning full stop. I don’t mind whose it against really. I really enjoy keeping clean sheets. I really enjoy when the boys’ do themselves justice because I think we’ve had some very good performances this season and we’ve also had some bad ones and it’s a little Jekyll & Hyde and sometimes we’re a little bit unsure what Tunbridge Wells is going to turn up and that’s something I’ve got to address because ultimately that’s on me.

“But I said to them in the changing room today, if anyone needs motivating for this then they’re in the wrong game aren’t they and thankfully the boys have brought an eight or nine out of 10 performance and that’s the most pleasing thing for me.

“It’s good for the fans, like bragging rights, that’s more for the fans than for me. I actually get on relatively well (with the people here), my son used to play here, so there’s no bitterness or twistedness from me.  I think there’s some good people here doing good things but a win’s a win and the Vase means a lot to the club so hopefully get a decent tie in the next round and we can get a bit of form going.”

Both sides return to League action with home games on Tuesday night.  There were only three League games today, with Whitstable Town winning 1-0 at leaders Erith & Belvedere, Larkfield & New Hythe beating Holmesdale 5-0, which is now the sixth time that Andy Constable’s side have leaked four or more goals this season, which will put them out of the promotion race.

Erith & Belvedere remain at the summit with 24 points from 15 games, while the four play-off spots are held by Larkfield & New Hythe (23 points from 12 games), Holmesdale (23 points from 14 games), Bearsted (22 points from 11 games) and Whitstable Town (22 points from 10 games).

Rusthall now have six games in hand on the leaders and have played the fewest number of games in the 19-club division.

Rusthall host tenth-placed Phoenix Sports (19 points, five wins, four draws and four defeats).

Punjab United, meanwhile, beat Wembley 1-0 at home in the FA Vase today and arrive at Culverden Stadium sitting in thirteenth-place with 14 points (three wins, five draws and three defeats).

“We beat Punjab 4-1 at their place. It’s probably our best performance of the season,” recalled Ives.

“They’re a good side. I’ve seen they’ve signed Harry Ottaway. If everyone’s put everything that they’ve got into today, then we’re going to have a problem because Punjab are a very good side and would it take the edge of it if we lost on Tuesday? Yes, it would because our League form is a little bit up and down and the challenge now is going to back up a good result with another one because that’s what good sides do.

“That’s what Rusthall have been doing. They’ve got to pick themselves up, which I’m sure they will. They’ve got games in hand on us. I think they’ve got games in hand on everyone so this League won’t give you any easy days.

“I think we’re lower than what I want to be – but you get what you get. We haven’t been hard done by. We’ve been inconsistent and we’ve lost games we shouldn’t and we’ve won games we probably shouldn’t.

“I’d really love to have some easy games where we can just turn up and switch off but it ain’t going to happen. We’ve got Punjab and then we’ve got Hythe away next (25 October), it’s just like the tough games keep coming. I guess you’ve got to enjoy it, or try anyway.”

So Tunbridge Wells keep the local bragging rights – Rusthall have failed to beat them in the last five derbies – until these two clubs meet again here in the League on Saturday 27 December.

Ives said: “I leave the bragging rights to them (our supporters’). I’m pleased that we can deliver a result that makes them all happy because football does make or break your weekend for a lot of us.

“I really hope that it inspires them to maybe turn up to a few more home games and maybe bring the sort of atmosphere. It’s fantastic and I love it and when they’re out in force like that, there’s no one like them.

“I would just put down a challenge to them to try to bring that to every game for us because it does make a massive difference.”

When asked about losing the local bragging rights, Chambers replied: “Two more games to play, minimum this season. We’ve got to play each other in the league yet so the bragging rights are in their hands at the moment but that will be short-lived.

“We’ve been on am amazing run so far and we’re talking about an amazing run but we’re in October! There’s a lot of football ahead of us and it’s a game today where we’ve narrowly lost it 1-0.

“We’ve got a quick turnaround on Tuesday, home here to Phoenix in the League and we’ve got to use today’s misery and heartache, we’ve got to use it to fuel us to go again on Tuesday.

“The boys know that they wasn’t at their best today, so nothing more than that needed to be said. The boys owe us a reaction and I’m sure they will.

“It’s going to be another tough game. Another team that you would expect – after being relegated last season – that are going to look to bounce back and going to be at the top end of the table.

“Most managers that you speak to will say there’s no easy game. We was in a different position at the start of last season, bottom of the league and look where we ended up (sixth), so no game can be taken for granted and that will be one we’ll look forward to and one that we’ll hopefully put right on Tuesday.”

When asked whether his side cracked under the title-talk, Chambers replied: “As I’ve said to you before, there’s no title race at this moment in time, in my eyes.

“We’re in the position that we’re in the League at the moment and there’s plenty of football to be played. There’s a lot of games to be played. We’re in a good position but as I said the season finishes in May. We’re in October, so we’re just going to take it game-by-game. The next game being Phoenix here on Tuesday and we’ll look forward to that one and we’ll go from there.”

Rusthall: Serine Sanneh, Louis Anderson, Kareem Rahman (Ayodeji Owoeye 82), Frank Griffin, Robbie Bissett, Daniel Blunn, Joshua Reid, James Miles, Charlie Clover, Jack Kirby, Jack Low (Jaevon Dyer 68).
Subs: Matthew Blendell, Thompson Adeyemi, Oscar Opolot-Oguli

Booked: James Miles 39, Serine Sanneh 90

Tunbridge Wells: George Bentley, Joshua McCarthur-Nolan, Muiz Alaka, Chris Lawal (Lucas Murrain 90), Ryan Hine, Tommy Penfold, Jack Gallagher (Matthew Dunmall 88), Rory Ward, D’Armando Lawrence (Jonathan Shea 69), Matt Black (Rhys Bartlett 69), Regan Corke (Trevor McCreadie 90).

Goal: Regan Corke 77

Booked: D’Armando Lawrence 45, Muiz Alaka 86, Ryan Hine 90, Trevor McCreadie 90

Attendance: 844
Referee: Mr Wayne Pocock
Assistants: Mr Rupert Wells & Mr Edwin Sinyei
Observer: Mr Graeme Ions