Visitors Do Just Enough - Saltdean United vs. Rustington

Ariel view of the action

The cup competitions took a well deserved break this weekend which allowed my first visit of the season to my favourite county league. The league is the Sussex County League and the match was a Division 2 clash between Saltdean United and Rustington. I'd never seen either in action before now and the closest I had come was when I travelled through Saltdean on the way to Peacehaven and Telescombe several seasons ago or when I travelled to Angmering to see East Preston. The aforementioned sides of course have just met in the FA Cup. Back to today's game and both sides were looking to get their seasons back on track as each side had only won one game so far this term.  

Kick off at Hill Park

Saltdean have an early opportunity to break but the move breaks down as the forward is caught offside. Then the Saltdean forward does well to keep a long ball in play and he is unlucky to see his effort flash just wide. It is another long ball which gives Rustington their first chance. The forward goes close with a chip. The visitors have a lucky escape when the keeper gives the ball away only for the Saltdean pull back to miss everyone.  The keeper is nearly caught out again when he takes two goes at claiming an effort at his near post. It is the visitors who score first. A shot from distance bounces a couple of times before hitting the post and going in to the net. Rustington finish the half strongly and no one can get the vital touch on a drilled ball across the six yard box. They come even closer when the forwards shot is cleared off the line.

Action on the flank in the first half

At the start of the second half a slip in the Saltdean defence almost gifts Rustington a good chance but the defender does well to recover and cut out the danger. Saltdean then win a couple of free kicks in decent positions but these both come to nothing. Rustington then win a free kick in a good area and the bending ball manages to elude everyone. The Rustington forward then breaks clear and he blazes over from the edge of the area when he had a bit more time than he thought. Rustington then claim the all important second goal. It comes from the penalty spot as the forward is pushed in the back when waiting for a cross in to the box. Saltdean know they have to get a goal and the Rustington keeper almost gifts it to them. He misses a tackle in the box but the forward is forced wide and hits the post. Rustington have a chance to a third in the closing stages but the Saltdean keeper keeps the score at two nil.

The Saltdean defence deal with an attack in the first half

Saltdean is around six miles away from Brighton. Trains to Brighton depart from Victoria on a regular basis and you are there in around an hour. From Brighton Station you can take the number 27 bus to within a couple of minutes from the ground. The ground is at the edge of Saltdean so if you want a drink before the game you have to get off at the seafront and walk to the ground afterwards. Even if you don't want a drink, cliffs and beach are worth a look at. Just off the seafront is The Spanish Lady which offers sea views and has Sky Sports. The ground is a further twenty minute walk from the sea front. The clubhouse and the club in general are incredibly welcoming.

Saltdean on the attack in front of the clubhouse