Blues win to climb out relegation zone

The game beat the weather as around half of the County League programme was postponed and goals from Alex MacIver and Roger Teles gave patched-up Blues a crucial win as they moved out of the Division 2 relegation zone.

Rustington manager Trevor Waller was delighted with his team’s victory and said: “I thought we deserved to win, we had a bit of luck at the beginning but it was pleasing to respond from the Boxing Day defeat.

“The lads that came into the team all played well, we changed our system with our wing backs pushing on and James Bennett as a sweeper, it isn’t easy coming here and it’s a very important win for us.

“Confidence is high at the moment, we’re getting better as we prepare for a massive six-pointer at home to Midhurst on Saturday.”

Oak’s previous match had been their 2-1 win at Saltdean two weeks earlier, while Blues’ previous match was on Boxing Day, just 48 hours earlier, and the home side’s extra rest seemed significant as they started brightly.

Ryan Pretlove struck a post, Joe Hall shot wide and Kieran Howard’s effort was scrambled off the line in a flurry of early chances.

Oak were unable to make their pressure count, though, and with Blues content to hit them on the counter attack, it was the visitors who took the lead with their first effort on goal in the 35th minute.

Liam Waller’s cross was deflected behind, and, from James Bennett’s resultant corner, MacIver hooked the ball home from close range.

In the second half, Gav Heater played in Rustington substitute Teles, Oak keeper Matt Grimstone came out to dispossess him but the ball fell kindly to Teles and he was left with the simple task of slotting home the loose ball.