Match Reports - April 2006

Rushall Olympic 3 - 3 Marlow

Southern Football League Division One West

Saturday 29th April 2006

Match Reporter: Darren Stockall

Rushall Olympic ended their excellent Southern Football League debut campaign with a high scoring home draw against sixth placed Marlow that guaranteed the Dales Lane side a top ten finish, but the Pic's missed out on overhauling neighbours Willenhall Town in the standings after squandering a 3-1 interval lead against their Buckinghamshire guests. However, Marlow were more than indebted to Jermain Roche for grabbing a share of the spoils with their livewire striker netting a fine hat-trick as the Blues claimed the sixth and final promotion play-off berth, but without whom they had very little else to offer.

Rushall appeared to be suffering from a midweek Staffordshire Senior Cup success hangover as they went behind after only 3 minutes when with the home side still on the offensive a poor forward pass from Rob Holdcroft was easily intercepted and Roche was sent clear down the right flank before cutting inside and evading rapidly back tracking Pic's skipper Richard Brown to slot clinically inside Chris Gemmell's near post from the edge of the box.

Admirably, Olympic recovered from the early set back and were deservedly back on level terms within 4 minutes when a probing free-kick from the right flank was eventually played into the path of striker Ben Porter 15 yards out on the near side of goal who drove the ball from an acute angle across the goal mouth and into the bottom left corner past the despairing dive of 'keeper Ian MacTaggart.

A few minutes later and Rushall's front runner almost set up a second goal when some excellent skill on the left side of goal almost paid dividends as he turned his marker inside out before a pin-point centre picked out Neil Barnfield whose 12 yard drive had to be repelled by a timely defensive block.

However, it was little surprise when on 18 minutes Olympic took the lead as Tim Jackson delivered a fine corner from the right to the far post that was eventually headed back across goal by Richard Brown into the patch of midfielder Leon Allen who unleashed a venomous 12 yard volley that rocketed into the net to give the Blues custodian little chance.

With Rushall continuing to push forward at every opportunity with the Dales Lane slope in their favour, four minutes later Tim Jackson nearly struck gold for Olympic as the ball fell nicely to his feet, allowing the wing back to send a dipping 25-yard volley narrowly over the bar.

On the half hour mark an excellent turn by Neil Kitching saw the striker spin smartly off his marker 20 yards out from goal down the left channel and despite having his shirt forcibly tugged on the way through he delivered a low centre into the danger zone, but as Marcus Jackson was about to pull the trigger under a robust defensive challenge a marginal off-side decision came to Marlow's rescue.

Nothing could stop the Pic's from registering their third goal ten minutes before the interval when Ben Porter was needlessly scythed down from behind on the right corner of the area to yield a penalty that the striker himself stepped up to take and confidently buried into the bottom left corner from the 12-yard mark, sending 'keeper MacTaggart totally the wrong way.

Rushall almost claimed a fourth goal on the stroke of half time when Neil Kitching fed Leon Allen on the left corner of the box and the midfield playmaker unleashed a looping volley that cannoned of the right side of the crossbar before bouncing to safety, much to the Blues' relief.

Needing only a single point to guarantee themselves a place in the promotion play-off positions, the second period was only ten minutes old when Marlow were thrown a lifeline as quicksilver striker Roche was allowed to carve his way into the right side of Olympic's penalty area before evading a half-hearted defensive challenge and slotting home past 'keeper Chris Gemmell from close range, who had arguably been slightly slow to react to the danger.

Despite the narrowing of the score line Rushall still looked relatively comfortable and minute after conceding a second goal a short corner from the right to Marcus Jackson saw the wing back float an exquisite ball into the area but Leon Allen somehow headed tamely wide of the left woodwork from 12 yards went it appeared easier to score.

Unfortunately, Olympic eventually paid the price for some increasingly poor work in midfield as they needlessly lost possession on 76 minutes allowing Roche to sprint clear from just inside the oppositions territory before evading the presence of last man Leon Allen and coolly slotting home past the badly exposed Chris Gemmell into the bottom right corner from the edge of the box to claim an excellent hat-trick and more importantly restore parity.

With the all important point now virtually in the bag for the visitors they visibly began to slacken off, probably in the hope that the Dales Lane side would reciprocate, however Rushall still had other ideas and in the fifth minute of injury time they almost claimed a last gasp winner when a long ball punted forward fell into the path of the pursuing Leon Allen who shot within yards of the Marlow goal and only a smart save from 'keeper MacTaggart at the foot of his right post turned the ball around for a corner.

The sound of the final whistle echoed with rejoice from the visiting contingent at claiming a place in the promotion play-offs for the opportunity to play Premier Division football, while the old gold delegation were left reflect on a superlative season's work that yielded an unlikely Staffordshire Senior Cup victory at Stoke City and a 10th placed finish that several bigger sides with local populations and budgets to match would have given anything for.

Rushall Olympic: Chris Gemmell, Marcus Jackson, Tim Jackson, Richard Brown ©, Joe O'Connor, Rob Vassell, Leon Allen, Rob Holdcroft, Neil Kitching, Ben Porter, Neil Barnfield. Subs: Tyrone Barnett (for T.Jackson 83), Dean Baker, John Quilt (for Kitching 88), Simon Truman, Troy Douglin (for Vassell 67).

Marlow: Ian MacTaggart, Jack Smillie, John Gray, Simon Herbert, John Beale ©, Jeff Lamb, Adam Dickens, Chris Rowley, Seb Neptune, Jermain Roche, Sam Shepherd. Subs: Steve Croxford (for Dickens 89), Michael Floyd (for Rowley 20), Stuart MacLellan (for Neptune 88), Adam Harman, Michael Watkins.

Referee: Mr. M.E. Weaver (Bearwood)

Attendance: 186

Stoke City 0 - 1 Rushall Olympic

Staffordshire Senior Cup Final

The Britannia Stadium

Wednesday 26th April 2006

Match Reporter: Darren Stockall

Rushall Olympic created a marvellous piece of club history at Stoke City's Britannia Stadium as the Pic's won the Staffordshire Senior Cup for the first time as they made their Final debut against the Coca-Cola Football League Championship host club and claimed a stunning 1-0 victory.

Stoke were first to threaten on 4 minutes when Peter Sweeney tried his luck from 25 yards with a rising drive that whistled over the crossbar, however Rushall were quick to find their feet in unfamiliar surroundings and three minutes later Chris Gemmell's huge goal kick was flicked on by Leon Allen into the path of Ben Porter who, although went racing clear, could only drill the ball wide of the left upright from just inside the box when well placed.

As the half hour mark approach the Potter's began to turn the tide in their favour as they appeared to be getting on top and pushed Olympic on to the back foot by forcing several corners. Indeed, six minutes prior to the interval and the home side could have gone in front when a weak clearance out of the hands of 'keeper Chris Gemmell was capitalised upon by Nathaniel Howell 35 yards out, but the stopper redeemed himself as he saved low to his right as the striker rifled the ball in from just inside the box.

The key point of the cup tie arrived on 42 minutes when Ben Porter fed Neil Kitching towards the left side of the box relatively close to the goal line and as the experienced striker instinctively half turned to hook in a looping effort it deflected over home 'keeper Rob Duggan and ultimately found its way over the line at the far post as the stopper unsuccessfully attempted to scramble away the danger.

The goal was nothing more than the visitor's deserved against a Stoke City side managed by Academy boss Noel Blake containing a mixture of youth and first team fringe players that had defeated Nationwide North high-flyers Stafford Rangers at the Semi-Final stage of the competition, but during the second period Rushall eventually found themselves under some increasing pressure as their hosts looked for a way back into the contest. However, the three-man defence of skipper Richard Brown, Rob Vassell and a late replacement in the figure of legendary striker Joe O'Connor were outstanding and repelled the Stoke City threat to perfection.

Indeed, on 57 minutes Stoke had the ball in the back of the net as Nathaniel Howell slid an effort past Chris Gemmell from just inside the box, but the front runner was adjudged to have unfairly tussled with a defender during the build-up. However, as Olympic responded just after the hour mark excellent work by prime Man of the Match candidate Neil Kitching down the left flank ended with a teasing cross that could not be capitalised upon.

With the game moving into its final 15 minutes Stoke were once again pushing to impose their authority and on 79 minutes one of Stoke's substitutes cut dangerously in from the right towards the penalty area, but his powerful shot on the run was well held in Chris Gemmell's midriff.

Three minutes later and Rushall's custodian was once more called into action as he held Liam Page's effort from just outside the box low to the ground, while two minutes before full time a dangerous 25-yard free-kick from Ryan Shotton thankfully went just wide.

Although the Pic's had to content with a further 3 minutes of stoppage time it was they who almost ended the game with a flourish as a superb breakaway through Marcus Jackson down the right flank ended with a pin-point centre to the far post that was met by a powerful header from substitute Dean Baker that fizzed marginally over the bar.

However, an outstanding all-round team performance had won the day for the Pic's as they claimed the counties premium cup competition to make it a night that will never be forgotten for all concerned and a terrific Birthday present for Manager John Allen who ensured that for the seventh successive season under his tenure the Dales Lane outfit had gained an invaluable piece of silverware.

Stoke City: Rob Duggan, John Anderson, John Quigley, Ryan Mullen, Ryan Shotton, Lewis Buxton, Liam Page, Josh Wilson, Nathanial Howell, Martin Patterson ©, Peter Sweeney. Subs: James Curley (for McGaw 85), Aaron Ridford, Hayden Doyle (for Quigley 66), Jeff McGaw (for Anderson 52).

Rushall Olympic: Chris Gemmell, Marcus Jackson, Tim Jackson, Richard Brown ©, Joe O'Connor, Rob Vassell, Leon Allen, Rob Holdcroft, Neil Kitching, Ben Porter, Neil Barnfield. Subs: Tyrone Barnett, Dean Baker (for Kitching 75), John Quilt, Steve McCartan, Dave Read.

Referee: Mr. O.D. Langford (Darlaston)

Thame United 3 - 1 Rushall Olympic

Southern Football League Division One West

Tuesday 25th April 2006

Match Reporter: Peter Athersmith

Rushall Olympic's sixteen game unbeaten run ground to a halt at Thame United who were rock bottom and already relegated.

Rushall carved out chance after chance but missed them all. Jordan Lee hit the crossbar twice in the first twenty minutes and had two one-on-one's with the 'keeper but failed to get a strike at goal.

On thirty minutes Thame won a corner on the right and when the ball came over Gavin Lane just hooked the ball over his head and into the roof of the net with the Rushall defence static, which was the hosts first shot at goal.

The second half was just six minutes old when Dave Hocking handled the ball inside the box but Dave Read's penalty kick was well saved by Paul Searl in the home goal.

Rushall piled the pressure on the home defence but could not get the break through their hard work deserved with Solomon Griffiths unlucky on a number of occasions with some telling runs at the home defence.

In the eighty-sixth minute Rushall thought that they had salvaged something from the game when a twenty-five yard drive from Steve McCartan flew into the net to level the game at 1-1. However in the very next minute they let themselves down with more shocking defending as a cross from the right again left Tony Hamilton unchallenged to put the home side back in front.

To round off the night, in the last minute of the game a low weak shot from an angle on the left saw Chris Gemmell fall to hold the shot and it trickled over the line through his legs.

Whilst a 3-1 score line looked like a comfortable win, the truth was that Rushall should have had the game wrapped up after just thirty minutes but didn't and paid the price for it.

Thame United: Searl, Hopkins, Hocking (61), Raja, Lane, Rhodes (74), Way, Connelly (81), More, Dawson, Hamilton. Subs: Morgan (74), Bowden, Collinge (61), Fisher, Marshall (81).

Rushall Olympic: Gemmell, O'Connor, Read, Quilt, Douglin, McCartan, Barnett, Baker, Lee (60), Griffiths, Truman. Subs: Porter (60), Brown, Vassell, M. Jackson, T. Jackson.

Referee: Mr. P. Forrester (Luton)

Attendance: 42

Chasetown 0 - 4 Rushall Olympic

Staffordshire Senior Cup Semi-Final

Saturday 22nd April 2006

Match Reporter: Darren Stockall

Rushall Olympic stormed into their first ever Staffordshire Senior Cup Final after 21 seasons of trying as they overwhelmed Midland Football Alliance title chasing neighbours Chasetown at their Church Road ground by four goals to nil to book a place against Coca-Cola Football League Championship outfit Stoke City at The Britannia Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Although the Scholars arguably had far more interest in clinching their own divisional Championship there were only a couple of changes to the line-up that had defeated Oldbury United on Thursday evening, while the Pic's welcomed back Leon Allen to their side after missing the previous two games through injury.

Indeed, it was Rushall's influential midfielder who gave his side a dream start after only 7 minutes when he took up possession in the centre circle and drove dominantly forward before spotting 'keeper Simon Bryan off his line and unleashing a venomous 35-yard volley that looped over the bewildered stopper into the net.

Olympic were making all the running during the first period but only a quickly taken free-kick down the left channel from the home side on 11 minutes appeared to cause them any concerns as 'keeper Chris Gemmell was drawn out towards the left edge of his box in pursuit of striker Danny Smith, but as the ball was pulled back the danger was rapidly quelled.

An in-swinging Marcus Jackson corner from the left on 19 minutes was Rushall's response which almost created an opening for Rob Holdcroft, but the midfielder could only loop a header over the bar from 8 yards, while six minutes later the same player made a good run through the centre and reeled off a low drive under a defensive challenge from just outside the box that went marginally wide of the left upright.

As the Pic's continued to dominate, on the half hour mark a clever one-two on the edge of the penalty area between Neil Barnfield and Marcus Jackson ended with the former turning and firing in a low 12 yard drive towards the bottom right corner that the Chasetown custodian did well to push around his near post for a corner.

With Rushall upping the ante in the prelude to the half time interval in the 40th minute a ball in from the right was stepped over by Rob Holdcroft that allowed Tim Jackson in an advanced position to unleash a 25-yard effort that flashed wide of the right post.

Two minutes later and an excellent centre from left wing back Tim Jackson to the far post picked out Ben Porter making a darting run, but as the ball floated invitingly into the strikers path he could only head straight at Simon Bryan from 8 yards who was forced to tip the effort around his left hand post for a corner. However, in the aftermath of the resulting kick there was a big shout for a penalty as the ball bounced up to strike the lower arm of Chasetown's Nick Harrison, but truthfully it was more a case of ball to hand.

As the Southern League outfit firmly stamped their authority on proceedings on the stroke of half-time 'keeper Simon Bryan was called upon to save his colleagues once again as John Quilt's blistering 30-yard free-kick had to be tipped over the intersection of the left hand woodwork for another corner.

Chasetown emerged for the second period in bright fashion, but within 11 minutes of the restart Olympic deservedly doubled their advantage when Tim Jackson played the ball to Rob Holdcroft who turned inside his marker and unleashed a 25-yard scorcher, with an unfamiliar right foot, that rocketed into the bottom right corner past the despairing dive of the Scholars' stopper.

Just before the hour mark the home sides cause was little helped by the dismissal of midfielder Andy Turner for an off the ball incident that was spotted by the Assistant Referee and gave rise to a straight red card.

As Rushall made the extra man count on 68 minutes they found themselves on the offensive outnumbering the Chasetown rearguard by a tally of three-to-one, but as Ben Porter, Marcus Jackson and substitute Dean Baker rampaged forward on goal the home side somehow managed to retrieve the situation as the Pic's trio dallied and dithered without producing a worthwhile shot on target between them.

However, the visitor's were not to be denied an extension to their healthy advantage when on 73 minutes they were three goals to the good as the ball rattled around within the Chasetown area following a corner before being latched on to by midfielder Neil Barnfield who coolly rifled home into the bottom left corner from 12 yards through a crowded goalmouth.

Nine minutes before the final whistle and Olympic's Rob Holdcroft almost claimed a richly deserved second goal when during the aftermath of a free-kick the ball sat up nicely for the midfielder fully 30-yards out who struck a left footed howitzer that beat 'keeper Simon Bryan all ends up, slamming into the crossbar before bouncing to relative safety.

With three minutes remaining Rushall finally claimed a well merited fourth goal when excellent work by Tyrone Barnett saw the substitute deliver a fine centre from the right flank to the far post that picked out the ever industrious Tim Jackson 12 yards out who calmly took one touch and slammed the ball home into the bottom left corner past the badly exposed Simon Bryan.

As the game reached an inevitable conclusion the visitors almost ended the tie with a five goal fluorish when a teasing run from Tyrone Barnett to the right side of the Chasetown goal ended with a centre played across the goalmouth where only a brave last ditch defensive challenge right on the line at the the foot of the far post denied the in-rushing Marcus Jackson.

Chasetown: Simon Bryan, Matt Bytheway ©, Steve Ulfig, Sam Smith, Kevin Thompson, Richard Huckfield, Ronnie Sayer, Nick Harrison, Danny Smith, Nick Campbell, Andy Turner. Subs: John Newell, Neil Grainger (for Harrison 64), Dave Egan, Paul Jones.

Rushall Olympic: Chris Gemmell, Marcus Jackson, Tim Jackson, Richard Brown ©, Troy Douglin, Rob Vassell, Leon Allen, Rob Holdcroft, John Quilt, Ben Porter, Neil Barnfield. Subs: Tyrone Barnett (for Porter 73), Dean Baker (for Quilt 62), Jordan Lee, Joe O'Conor (for Allen 77), Steve McCartan.

Referee: Mr. J.A. Sheffield (Brownhills)

Attendance: 256

Rushall Olympic 3 - 1 Solihull Borough

Southern Football League Division One West

Saturday 15th April 2006

Match Reporter: Darren Stockall

Rushall Olympic's fine end to their Southern Football League Division One West debut campaign continued unabated as they completed a well deserved double over Birmingham rivals Solihull Borough and extended their impressive unbeaten run to 15 games.

However, Solihull began the encounter in dominant fashion, clearly eager to gain ample redress for the 4-0 thumping inflicted upon them by the Pic's at their Damson Park home back in early March. As a result Rushall were quickly forced on to the back foot and a strangely lethargic opening from the home side failed to help their cause.

The visitors danger man Justin Marsden caused the Olympic back line untold problems during the first period with lighting pace and trickery that were seemingly all too much for the leaden footed Dales Lane outfit. However, despite Borough's positive approach play they always lacked the killer instinct and their best opportunity of the first period fell to wide man Jerome Grandison on 16 minutes who fired wide of the far post after cutting in from the right corner of the box. Even then the move owed much to Rushall's dalliance as Ben Porter stopped the ball from rolling out for a throw-in 15 yards from Borough's own goal line on their left flank, but possession was all too easily lost and a rapid counter provided the opening.

Within a minute the Pic's themselves spurned an ideal opportunity to take the lead as they finally woke from their slumber to beat a hesitant Solihull off-side trap that allowed Neil Barnfield to break from midfield in a two pronged attack. However, as 'keeper Shaun Hayes narrowed the angle the midfielder was caught in two minds and with the square pass to the unmarked Ben Porter the better prospect the ball eventually got stuck under his feet and was cleared only as far as Tim Jackson who fired towards the left side of goal from 18 yards but the visiting stopper pulled off a good save.

As Borough continued to produce arguably the better football, with the home side always one step behind their opponents chasing shadows, the Pic's still enjoyed the better opportunities and almost forged ahead eight minutes before the interval when Neil Kitching set up Simon Truman with a through ball into the right side of the box, but as the midfielder cut inside his 14 yard drive was pushed away by 'keeper Shaun Hayes.

Following an inevitable half time roasting by Rushall manager John Allen his side emerged for the second period in a far better frame of mind and within 13 minutes of the restart Neil Barnfield set up Neil Kitching whose first time volley from the edge of the box flew narrowly over the bar.

Five minutes later and Marcus Jackson's free-kick from the left channel was cleared only as far as Simon Truman on the right edge of the area and the playmaker's pin point centre to the far post was met by Troy Douglin's 8 yard header that was well held by the Solihull stopper to prevent it from rocketing into the top left corner.

The visitors showed they were still a major threat on 74 minutes and Olympic were forced to defend desperately to keep their goal intact when a free-kick from the right bi-line was missed by 'keeper Chris Gemmell and two last ditch defensive headers off the goal line were needed to save the day.

Rushall introduced Tyrone Barnett for Neil Kitching a minute later and the substitution appeared to pay immediate dividends on 76 minutes when an attack down the left side of the area ended with the ball being neatly flicked into the box but appeared to be deliberately handled by defender Ross Collins to yield a penalty for the home side. Despite a clearly disgruntled Solihull contingent applying some gamesmanship to the situation by attempting to delay the penalty conversion attempt, Ben Porter held his nerve superbly to rifle the spot kick into the top right corner past wrong footed 'keeper Shaun Hayes.

As the visitor's began to push evermore forward in search of an equaliser they began to leave themselves over exposed in rear guard positions and it was little surprise when with just six minutes remaining Olympic deservedly doubled their advantage. A probing ball forward into the thick of Borough's defence was headed out only as far as unmarked substitute John Quilt on the left edge of the area who consummately took one touch to bring the ball under control and a second to unleash a venomous left footed drive into the bottom right corner past the despairing dive of the visitors custodian.

Straight from the restart and Rushall were rapidly back on the offensive and with Solihull's defence all at sixes and sevens another telling through ball was instinctively latched on to by Ben Porter who took it in his stride before looking up and drilling an unstoppable drive into the bottom corner that took a bounce in front of 'keeper Shaun Hayes.

With the game moving into injury time the visitor's were gifted a mere consolation goal when Danny Hall's in swinging corner from the right was missed by 'keeper Chris Gemmell amongst a ruck of players and Craig Dutton appeared to get the final touch as the ball crossed over the goal line.

Rushall Olympic: Chris Gemmell, Marcus Jackson, Tim Jackson, Richard Brown ©, Troy Douglin, Rob Vassell, Simon Truman, Rob Holdcroft, Neil Kitching, Ben Porter, Neil Barnfield. Subs: Tyrone Barnett (for Kitching 76), Jordan Lee, John Quilt (for T.Jackson 66), Dean Baker (for Porter 85), Steve McCartan.

Solihull Borough: Shaun Hayes, Gary Moran, Neil O'Sulivan, Danny Hall, Ross Collins, Neil Manton ©, Phil Rowe, Craig Dutton, Dave Pearson, Justin Marsden, Jerome Grandison. Subs: Jamie Petty, Richard Robinson, Stuart Hamilton, Pete Barry, Justin Bray.

Referee: Mr. S. Attwell (Nuneaton)

Attendance: 118

Bracknell Town 0 - 1 Rushall Olympic

Southern Football League Division One West

Saturday 8th April 2006

Match Reporter: Peter Athersmith

Rushall Olympic completed the double over Bracknell Town as they extended their unbeaten run to fourteen games with this hard earned three points in a real dog fight of a game.

Both sides struggled to gain the upper hand and it was Griffin who tested Chris Gemmell with a stinging drive from the edge of the box, but it was straight at the keeper.

It took some time for the Rushall wingbacks to get going but when the "Jackson Boys" did, the home side wasted no time flattening them at every opportunity.

After a couple of half chances Rushall broke the deadlock with a fine goal on the half hour, a corner on the Rushall right by Tim Jackson was played to the far post were Rushall captain Richard Brown marked his 250th full appearance for the club with a powerful header past a stranded Poyser in the home goal.

Within two minutes of the second half restart Poyser was at full stretch when Jordan Lee tried a shot from thirty yards out that the keeper grabbed at the second attempt.

The home side stepped up the tempo a little in the second half without really causing Rushall a problem. Scott Taylor, Ben Edwards and Jon Palmer all had half chances but wasted them.

However the home side were finding it more difficult to get control of Marcus Jackson as he caused them big problems down the right with his silky skills and his telling crosses.

As the game drew to its final minutes the home side had their best chance when a goalmouth scramble saw Scott Taylor's effort cleared off the line by Rob Vassell to the relief of the Rushall defence.

While this was not a great game it was a well deserved hard earned three points that Rushall had to grind out.

Bracknell Town: Poyser, Oldbury Fenton, Baker (72), Woozley, Haywood (81), Griffin (24), G.Taylor, Edwards, S.Taylor, Palmer. subs: Tanfield (81), Hamilton, Day (24), Cook (72), Dyer.

Rushall Olympic: Gemmell, M.Jackson, T.Jackson, Brown, Douglin, Vassell, Allen (80), Holdcroft, Kitching (61), Lee (70), Barnfield. subs: Porter (70), Barnett, Quilt (61), Truman (80), McCartan.

Referee: Mr. T. Ingram (Basingstoke)

Attendance: 109

Rushall Olympic 2 - 1 Leighton Town

Southern Football League Division One West

Saturday 1st April 2006

Match Reporter: Darren Stockall

After remaining unbeaten throughout February and March, Rushall Olympic extended their increasingly impressive unbeaten sequence in the Southern Football League Division One West to 13 games as they dented Leighton Town's promotion play-off hopes with a solid 2-1 victory at Dales Lane as the Pic's avenged an early defeat in Bedfordshire back in November.

The home side couldn't have hoped for a better start when after just 7 minutes Tim Jackson's curling free kick from deep down the right flank evaded everyone before taking one bounce in the penalty area and hurtling over the goal line as strike John Quilt just missed out on claiming the goal for himself with an attempted header.

As Rushall imposed their authority on proceedings with a strong wind at their backs and the notorious Dales Lane slope in their favour, they almost repeated the dose on 26 minutes when another telling Tim Jackson free-kick from the right was met by a powerful header from central defender Troy Douglin 10 yards out that cannoned off the crossbar and was gratefully cleared by the Leighton rearguard.

The contest was by no means all one-way traffic and six minutes before the interval Olympic 'keeper Chris Gemmell had to be at his very best to single handedly tip over Wes Lewis' 25 yard free-kick from the left wing after the custodian was initially deceived by the flight of the ball and began to move in the wrong direction.

Rushall were certainly well worth their slender half-time advantage against their eighth-placed guests, but the opening exchanges of the second period highlighted that the game had began to swing ominously in the visitor's favour after it took the Pic's a good half an hour to come to terms with the blustery conditions that were now working against them.

Within 12 minutes of the restart central defender Rob Vassell was caught napping as some lackadaisical marking allowed Town front runner Chris Johnson to drift past and unleash a pacey 20-yard drive from the right corner of the box that 'keeper Chris Gemmell did exceptionally well to push over at full stretch past the top left corner.

Three minutes later and a strangely lethargic Olympic were once again living dangerously as Chris Gemmell came and failed to claim a high level looping free-kick amongst a ruck of players, leaving the ball to be rapidly hooked clear off the goal line with a last ditch defensive clearance.

Although Rushall were finding themselves increasingly under the cosh from a rejuvenated Leighton side, it was still a surprise when the visitors actually restored parity in the 73rd minute with a goal out of nowhere after tricky forward Chris Johnson took up possession near the right flank and unleashed a speculative volley from a relatively acute angle. Regrettably, the Pic's custodian suffered a momentary lapse of concentration and all his previous hard work was undone in one foul swoop as the ball somehow slipped through his usually reliable grasp and bounced over the goal line.

Fortunately, Olympic were extremely quick to regroup and within a minute of relinquishing their advantage Simon Truman took charge of a free-kick fully 30-yards out from goal and subsequently forced Town 'keeper Lee Clark into a smart save as the wing backs curling drive was tipped onto the top right hand corner of the woodwork and out for a corner kick.

On 75 minutes Rushall thought they were denied a clear cut penalty decision when substitute Jordan Lee stole a march on his marker and sprinted into the right side of the penalty before appearing to be upended by a late defensive challenge from behind. However, with the Pic's contingent baying for a penalty replacement Mancunian referee Mr. Byrne was having none of it and waived play on.

However, Olympic were to ultimately have the final word when with just nine minutes remaining another excellent set piece from the right flank was delivered into the danger zone by the trusty left foot of Tim Jackson and Troy Douglin netted his sixth goal in eleven games by powering home an unstoppable match-winning header from 10 yards after rising majestically above his marker.

Rushall Olympic: Chris Gemmell, Simon Truman, Tim Jackson, Richard Brown ©, Troy Douglin, Rob Vassell, Leon Allen, Rob Holdcroft, John Quilt, Tyrone Barnett, Neil Barnfield. Subs: Neil Kitching (for Quilt 83), Ben Porter, Marcus Jackson (for Truman 77), Dean Baker, Jordan Lee (for Barnett 66).

Leighton Town: Lee Clark, Andy Fagan, Mark Longman, Nick leach, Pete Clifford ©, Wes Lewis, Enzo Silvestri, James McNulty, Mark Burfoot, Chris Johnson, Jason Haggerwood. Subs: Julian Old, Paul Reed, Jack Copson (for Haggerwood 75), Luigi Rocco (for McNulty 85).

Referee: Mr. C. Byrne (Manchester)

Attendance: 118