Rustington enjoy derby win over Clymping

Last week, Blues won 6-2 in the Sussex Senior Cup at Clymping, but they were made to work a lot harder in their 2-0 home win on Saturday.

It was testament to Clymping’s improvement that Blues had to wait until 20 minutes from time for the breakthrough, before sealing it late on.

Blues manager Brett Torode said: “We did the job. Credit to them, they worked hard and made it difficult, but I’m pleased with the three points and I felt that once we scored the first goal we would always go on to win.

“They had me worried at one stage when we couldn’t break them down, but it was a much-needed three points and in some ways it was more satisfying than last week because we kept a clean sheet and looked a lot more cohesive.

“If we had scored earlier, I think we would have won much more easily and it was only a matter of time, really.”

Rustington’s James Bennett hit the bar, while Jimmy Hird’s blocked effort was Clymping’s best chance, and Chris Darwin also went close for Rustington.

Blues’ Matt Huckett also blazed a penalty well over after Clayton had been fouled in the box.

But it was Chris Green’s deflected drive that put Blues ahead in the 71st minute, and after Clymping’s Steve Duffin had shot over, Simon Clayton’s exquisite 40-yard lob a minute from time sealed the points for Rustington after Clymping keeper Steve May’s clearance had fallen into his path.

Clymping boss Darren Atkins said: “I felt we shaded the first half, and when their guy missed the penalty I thought it might be our day.”

RUSTINGTON: McCarthy; Bennett, Neal, Butcher, Green; Clayton, Bibb, Jones, Boxall; Huckett, Darwin. Subs: Adams, Hudson (Butcher, Boxall 65), C.Matthews, Withers, Gaskin.

CLYMPING: May; Higgs, Man, Denford, James; Hird, Kiddle, J.Atkins, Perkins; Duffin, Longhurst. Subs: Aneldolo, Cooke (Hird, Longhurst 80), Johnson.