Top five is the aim, says Rusthall manager Gary Sharman

RUSTHALL manager Gary Sharman hopes his side avoid injuries during the second part of the season as he bids to finish in the top five.



The Rustics are in eighth-place in the Kent Invicta League table with 20 points from 13 games and welcome the side immediately below them in the table, Seven Acre & Sidcup, who arrive at Jockey Farm tomorrow sitting on 19 points from 13 games.

Rusthall won their sixth league game of the season when they came away from Lewisham Borough with a 1-0 win last Saturday, courtesy of Alex Carey’s penalty.

Lewisham Borough manager Willie O’Sullivan resigned following the game – the second time he has done so.

Sharman said: “Last week’s fixture against Lewisham was a game we needed to show character in.

“Several key players were missing and we only had one player on the bench.

“We played very well after beating them at home 8-0. We controlled the first half and we won the game with an early penalty.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s home clash against Seven Acre & Sidcup, Sharman said: “We are back to a fully fit squad.  We know this will be a tough game.

“The opposition have won a few games and the team appears to be stronger.

“We will, however, want a good performance from the players. They have worked hard and want to pull off more wins.  Our defence is getting better each week and we know that we can score goals.

“But every game is treated like it is our first meeting.”

Reflecting on the club’s campaign, Sharman added: “We had a great pre-season then we had injury problems right at the start of the league.  With one key player, Will McAvoy, not being able to return we started with a loss.

“The season is up and down with injuries being the main issue. We are a new squad of younger players that we want to develop and move up the league.

“We have had great games and three or four poor ones. The players are working hard together and we expect to pick up more points.

“We only had two cups to deal with and now we’re out of them. We just want to work on the league and our final position – top five is the aim.

“I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.  I hope we do not have the same amount of injuries in the second half of the season and that the progress continues.”

Visit Rusthall’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/rusthallfootballclub

Rusthall  v  Seven Acre & Sidcup
Kent Invicta League
Saturday 21^st December 2013
Kick Off 2:00pm
At Jockey Farm, Nellington Road, Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8SH