Pembury started very well in this game knowing that goal difference could play a major factor in deciding the league title. With this in mind the management decided to keep a favourable 4-4-2, but switched the pace of Brooker with Evans to maximise his distribution from the right flank.
On a warm sunday morning with a hard uneven pitch, the home side dominated possession. However, it was quick thinking from Evans between the sticks who capitalised on Pembury's speed and hit Rusthall on the counter attack. A searching kick down field found Mearing who easily beat his marker for pace, before drilling the ball between the keeper's legs & opening his account for the day. Both Hymers & Leete were dictating the play in the middle of park, winning 99% of the balls & then switching straight into attack. Two more goals shortly followed, another from Mearing & a header from Brooker from an excellent Ells cross from the left. An efficient 45 minutes from the home side saw them go into the interval four goals to the good with Mearing also completing his hatrick.
The half-time team talk focussed on the need to work & push for the remaining 45 minutes to improve their goal aggregate. One change was made, Marsh for Waterman, like for like. The second half began very evenly, but it was fair to say that the Pembury frontline were not taking advantage of a number of clear-cut chances. The management made some changes, moving Gale into midfield & Hymers dropping back, shortly followed by Evans & Brooker switching positions. The effect was almost instantaneous with Mearing claiming his fourth of the day. Pembury 5 - Rusthall 0.
With 25 minutes to go Bowyer made way for Lindsey just as Pembury had been awarded a free-kick down at Rusthall's corner flag. Almost stealth-like Lindsey ghosted to the front post unmarked, as Leete knocked a VERY fast spinning ball at waist height. The management had already started to celebrate a dream substitution only to see Lindsey comfortably clear the crossbar with his first touch of the day.
Although five goals had been netted, Pembury really needed more! Putting his earlier miss behind him, Lindsey burst with pace beyond the Rusthall full-back whipping a tantalising ball into the penalty box, placing the defence under immense pressure. Rusthall failed to deal with the cross as they fired the ball back towards their own keeper, who struggled to clear it, tripped, before knocking the ball between his legs and into his own net. Hymers also added to his season's tally with a strong header lobbing the Rusthall keeper. Three points, and plus seven to the goal aggregate. Job well done by the home side!
Magic Moment: Mearing - His fourth & Pembury's fifth put the game beyond any doubt
Carlton Palmer Clanger: Lindsey & Gale - shared the honours with their mis-placed efforts
Reporter's Roy of the Rovers: Marsh & Waterman - ensured the side kept their heads & a clean sheet
Squad:
A.Evans
T.Bowyer (cpt)
L.Washer
P.Marsh
J.Gale
S.Evans
C.Ells
B.Leete (cpt)
D.Hymers
B.Brooker
C.Mearing
Subs:
S.Waterman (for Marsh)
S.Lindsey (for Bowyer)