Southwick 3-2 Rustington Rustington will feel they have been robbed of their first point of the season, after conceeding a late winner to a dubious penalty decision at the end of a physical contest with Southwick. The home side will argue that their second half domination warranted the penalty that was slotted home by former Blues striker, Ryan Walton. However the decision to award the penalty based on the principle of constant pressure is not the given rule in football and fundamentally goals should win games, not a referee's judgement. The omens were ominous from the start for Rustington, from the whistle Southwick were very quick to shout at anything that connected with the arm of a Rustington players, with the referee employing they shout, I give rule early on. Southwick took the lead on five minutes with a cross into the box from the right flank by Ricky Timms, and the finish applied at close range by Grant Bean. Rustington hit straight back on the 11th minute, a free kick won by Kirkham was neatly placed and Phil Churchill was there at the back post to nod in. Rustington took the advantage six minutes later, Southwicks poor defending left four Blues at the back post, a large target for Joey Cumber to play into, and he duly obliged giving James Bennett the simplest of headers to beat Marc Hilddersley in the Wickers Goal. Compounded with the goals, there was a tough aggresive game developing especially in the middle of the park, keeping the fans interested. Ryan Walton had a chance to restore parity with a sidefooted effort into the diving hands of Daryl Grafton however at this point it looked as though the Blues were going to be the likliest to score, Sean Duffy played an ambitious ball to Cumber which eventually was well defended as pressure built. All the work was ruined by a soft goal on the stroke of half time - James Wotherspoon gleefully finished into the bottom right past a helpless Grafton from a corner. With the score 2-2 and a new impoteus the new management team of Southwick, with Jason Tighe, must have installed belief and it showed as after only three minutes they had hit the side netting. James Harris' day was over after a collision and replaced by Ryan Morten. A silky effort from Jamie Stideford went wide and some superb passing only to be denied by a crucial intervention by Mike James stopped Walton from recieving the ball for a certain finish and the combination of Neil Harris and Bean for the hosts almost gave Southwick the goal they wanted. A comical penalty appeal by James Wotherspoon almost injures himself, but if Rustington were to win this one, it would resemble a Houdini act assisted by Ronnie Biggs at an epic David Copperfield disappearing convention. Nathan Stock replaced Chris Matthews just after the hour and played well in a difficult situation. With three minutes to go, a ball played at waist height hit Ryan Morten on the hand in the area, and with that - David Bull pointed to the spot. Southwick had huffed and puffed, but eventually sneaked through the window - as Walton finished cooly from 12 yards. New Rustington manager Pete Matthews disputed the decision after the final whistle, but it was to no avail as Southwick took the points on opening day. Rustington would have been satisfied with the point and Southwick wouldnt have argued as they were met by a resolute defence equalled with their aggression and attitude. It is Steyning next for a midweek battle at the Shooting Field, as the Blues seek their first point of the season. Team: Grafton, Harris, Bashford, Neal, James, Matthews, Duffy, Cumber, Kirkham, Bennett, Churchill 50 Morten-Harris; 60 Churchill-Boxall; 73 Matthews-Stock |