Hadlow United Vrs Rusthall

16th January 2005 (WKSL)

With Hadlow missing both Wood and Grundy, their major attacking architects of recent weeks, the visit of Rusthall, who had given Hadlow one of their only 2 defeats this season in the reverse fixture, looked like not being an easy game.

Harvey was moved upfront to partner Webb with Excell moving to the wing and Garside coming into the centre of midfield. Magic replaced Wood on the left but thankfully the impressive back four was still in place. For this Hadlow were grateful as Rusthall proved their equals in the first 20 minutes.

Though they did not create many chances Rusthall had plenty of early possession. Playing with wing backs their extra man in midfield had the room to regularly find his strikers but Betts and Cooper defended resolutely. Hadlow were giving away a lot of free-kicks around the half-way line but it effectively broke up the visitors rhythm and stopped them getting into Hadlow's box.

United took the lead against the run of play when Harvey, playing slightly deeper than Webb, put Leach through who finished well after a typical strong burst from midfield. Shortly after the roles were reversed when Leach sent Harvey clear from 30 yards, Harvey stayed composed to slot the ball home and Hadlow played out the remainder of the half with more controlled possession.

From the start of the second half it seemed forever until Hadlow touched the ball. Rusthall had the vast majority of possession but Hadlow worked very hard, Garside and Leach having an effective game, to close down players resulting in most of this possession belonging to Rusthall's back line. Magic swapped places with Harvey and Harvey continued to have a good game in midfield and has shown a return to his old form in the last few weeks.

So most of the second half was played around the half-way line. With 10 minutes to go Hadlow made sure of the win when Webb touched the ball to Excell to drill the ball home from 12 yards to make it 3-0.

Hadlow go to FC Sporto this week for a top of the table shoot out in good confidence after yet another hard working, solid defensive performance. Perhaps not a great one in terms of quality but, in the authors opinion, the smartest performance of the season in terms of tactical/positional play and the breaking up of Rusthall's attacks.

Team: Kerton, Walsh, Cooper, M. Betts, Bridges, Garside, Harvey (1), Excell (1), Leach (1), Bellars, Webb

Sub Not Used: Cook