Rustington hit five to beat East Preston

Blues bounced back from their 5-0 defeat at Sidley in their previous game in some style and their manager Brett Torode said: “The result was excellent, although the match didn’t really get going until we scored but we were comfortable from then on.

“EP didn’t really offer anything, which is odd as they’re a good side but just didn’t seem up for it.

“It’s nice to win the annual John Withers Cup. It doesn’t mean much in the context of the season, but with Terry involved at Rustington, it was nice for the lads to get one over on EP.

“We’re climbing the table and have a good squad, so we’re looking for a strong second half of the season.”

All of Rustington’s goals were scored by former EP players. Simon Clayton side-footed Blues ahead on 62 minutes, and Chris Darwin doubled the lead from a Chris Green cross nine minutes later.

Matt Huckett rounded the keeper to make it 3-0 before he fired home his second and Blues’ fourth six minutes from time.

Darwin then completed the rout in the final minute of stoppage time to compound EP’s misery.

EP assistant manager Andy Preddy said: “I’ve been in football a long time at various levels but I’ve never seen a collapse like that before.

“Rustington are a good side but we matched them in the first 45 minutes and there were chances for both sides.

“Looking at the game then, there was probably going to just be a goal in it – either through a mistake or a moment of brilliance.

“But all of a sudden we conceded one goal and the floodgates opened and it was quite alarming. We had a few players unavailable but that’s no excuse at all and we won’t use it as an excuse.

“Rustington are a good side, though, and I think they’re in a false position at the moment. They’ll be up there at the end of the season.”

EAST PRESTON: not available.

RUSTINGTON: McCarthy; Bennett, Neal, Sayers, Bibb; Green, Jones, Clayton, Hudson; Huckett, Darwin. Subs: Kirkham (Hudson 65), Boxall, Matthews (Jones, Bennett 70), Butcher, Withers.