Match Reports - March 2005

Rushall Olympic 1 - 1 Romulus

Travel Factory Alliance

Monday 28th March 2005

Rushall Olympic completed their Travel Factory Alliance home programme with a somewhat nervy performance against an uncompromising Romulus outfit that once again put their supporters through the emotional mill. Indeed, for the second time this season the Dales Lane side generally failed to convince against their obdurate neighbours as they were forced to come back from behind to take a point off the Sutton Coldfield outfit but, as in the return fixture back in November, it was hardly a pretty sight to behold.

Rushall began promisingly when on 8 minutes a good ball in from the left by Tim Jackson was met by a towering header from Neil Kitching, but the striker could only direct his downward effort marginally wide of the left upright.

Visiting 'keeper Matt Harris was forced into action in the 17th minute when Leon Allen released Simon Truman down the right channel, before progressing to the by-line and delivering an excellent deep cross into the path of Tim Jackson whose first time volley from the corner of the box was excellently parried away for a corner at the left upright.

As play moved to the other end on 36 minutes poor marking allowed Romulus to break menacingly down the left flank and as a tempting centre was looped into the far post it picked out top scorer Tyrone Fagan whose first time volley from 15 yards was pushed away from goal by 'keeper Ryan Price with a superb one handed save, before safely gathering up the loose ball.

Unfortunately, Olympic failed to heed the warning and in the 37th minute the visitors forged ahead when a free kick was awarded 25 yards out and Lei Brown bunted in a low and hard effort with what appeared to be a miss-kick, but on the way through it fortuitously took a wicked deflection off the left side of the defensive wall and despite 'keeper Ryan Price just getting a touch on it he could not prevent it from ending up in the bottom corner of the goal.

That was the first occasion for quite some considerable time that Rushall had fallen behind in a league fixture and it certainly turned out to be a great test of their character, but thankfully they responded positively by drawing level within 5 minutes. A good move saw Tim Jackson's free kick from deep on the left flank looped into the far post and as the ball was knocked intelligently back across the face of goal by Dave Davies top scorer Joe O'Connor stooped to head powerfully past the Romulus custodian from 6 yards to net his 21st goal of the season.

However, within two minutes of deservedly restoring parity Olympic had the ball in the back of the net again as Ian Mitchell's deep free-kick was flicked on by Neil Kitching and Dave Davies deftly headed over stranded 'keeper Matt Harris from the edge of the box and into the back of the net, only to see the assistant referee frustratingly raise his flag for a marginal off-side decision.

The second half began in controversial fashion as the home side were denied what looked to be a perfectly legitimate goal within two minutes of the restart. Willie Dunn's looping deep corner from the left was headed back into the danger zone by skipper Richard Brown who had rose high above his marker and midfielder Ron Walker headed powerfully home from 8 yards past the flat footed Romulus stopper. Incredibly, Loughborough referee Mr Mitchell, despite not being within 30 yards of the situation, adjudged that the initial header back across goal was won via a perceived foul challenge and the 'goal' was disallowed - much to the Pic's disgust.

As the second period progressed the visitors began to look increasingly dangerous as they broke forward on the counter attack with alarming ease assisted by the fact that the Dales Lane side were giving away possession far too cheaply. Their plight was little helped when with less than 20 minutes remaining all three substitutes had been rapidly deployed and predictably Rushall lost their shape and potency, especially with the aerial presence of Neil Kitching having been withdrawn from the fray.

With Romulus very much in the ascendancy, on 68 minutes only an excellent save from in-form Rushall 'keeper Ryan Price kept his side on level terms as he firmly held on to Lei Brown's powerful long range free kick from down the right channel at the foot of his right post.

As the game progressed to a nail-biting conclusion, Olympic's marking system began to go awry and with Romulus rapidly feeding the ball to their front runners at every available opportunity it appeared to be a recipe for disaster for the home side. Indeed, with barely 2 minutes of normal time remaining it was goal keeping hero Ryan Price who was once again charged with the responsibility of rebuffing the visitors striking hordes single handedly as he timed his swift advancement off his goal line to perfection and bravely blocked out Matt Robinson's dangerous unfettered run and vicious low drive from 15 yards to safety at close quarters as his defenders looked on.

After enduring a further 4 minutes of stoppage time the Dales Lane crowd were undoubtedly highly relieved to hear the sound of the final whistle as Rushall now go into their final 4 league games of the season safe in the knowledge that a single victory will secure the Travel Factory Alliance Championship outright.

Rushall Olympic: Ryan Price, Willie Dunn, Tim Jackson (Steve Shaw), Dave Davies, Ian Mitchell, Richard Brown ©, Ron Walker, Leon Allen, Neil Kitching (Ben Porter), Joe O'Connor, Simon Truman (Darren Goodall). Unused Substitutes: Rob Holdcroft & Paul Cooke.

Rushall Olympic Reserves 4 - 0 Quorn Reserves

ICIS Combination Reserve Division Challenge Trophy Semi-Final 2nd Leg

Saturday 26th March 2005

Rushall Olympic Reserves progressed into the Final of the ICIS Combination Challenge Trophy for the very first time in emphatic fashion following an excellent 4-0 home victory over Leicestershire outfit Quorn that saw the Pic's progress impressively through 7-1 on aggregate.

Rushall enjoyed a dream start when after only 8 minutes striker Sean Allington latched on to a loose ball and with very little back lift he unleashed a magnificent pile driver on the volley from fully 30 yards out that powered into the top left corner to give the visiting 'keeper no chance at all.

After dominating the first period Olympic deservedly went in at the interval two goals to the good when on the stroke of half time a free-kick from the right channel was eventually repelled only as far as Luke Bradley and the defender unleashed a low first time drive that rocketed into the bottom left corner from just outside the box.

The second period saw the home side continue to dictate the tempo of the game and two further goals in the final 15 minutes of the contest added a highly deserved flourish to the score line as substitute Ben Porter came off the bench to net two goals in the space of 10 minutes.

Rushall's third goal arrived on 76 minutes when Daniel Hemmings beat the off-side trap to break menacingly down the right flank before centring into the penalty area where Ben Porter made a late darting run to rifle home from 8 yards.

With four minutes remaining Tyrone Barnett left his marker for dead down the left channel before pulling the ball back into the danger zone from the by-line where the unmarked Ben Porter completed his quick fire brace as he lashed home from 12 yards.

The Second Team now go on to meet near neighbours Boldmere St Michaels in the Final of the Trophy at the end of the campaign.

Sutton Coldfield Town 1 - 3 Rushall Olympic

Walsall Senior Cup Quarter-Final

Monday 21st March 2005

Rushall Olympic marched impressively into the Semi-Final stage of the Walsall Senior Cup with an emphatic 3-1 victory over Dr Martens League Division One West outfit Sutton Coldfield Town at their Coles Lane ground.

Rushall enjoyed the perfect start to proceedings when after only 6 minutes sweeper Ian Mitchell threaded an exquisite slide rule pass from within his own half through the Sutton back-line for Ben Porter to run on to down the right channel and despite being subjected to a strong defensive challenge as he cut inside he squared to top scorer Joe O'Connor who rifled consummately home from ten yards to net his 20th goal of the campaign.

As Olympic pushed the home side firmly on to the back foot with their crisp passing game, on 17 minutes a sweeping move saw Willie Dunn race clear along the right flank and his pin-point centre from near the by-line was met on the volley by Ron Walker 10 yards out, but 'keeper Tony Breedon did exceptionally well to dive low to his right to parry away the venomous effort for a corner kick that was eventually cleared.

However, the Royals failed to heed the warning and in the 18th minute playmaker Darren Goodall sent Willie Dunn sprinting into acres of space down the right channel and as the wing back reached the by-line he whipped in an inviting low cross to young striker Ben Porter who dispatched the ball past the Sutton stopper with great relish from 8 yards to net a priceless goal against his former club.

With the Travel Factory Alliance leaders in dominant form, little was seen of a fight back from their more illustrious hosts, but 10 minutes prior to the interval Rushall's in-form 'keeper Ryan Price had to be at his very best when a missed defensive header allowed Darren Massingham to break down the right channel before centring to the unfettered Damian Markman whose rasping first time drive from just outside the box was excellently blocked by the Pic's stopper, as was Massingham's stinging follow up strike after latching on to the loose ball.

The second period saw Sutton emerge from the dressing rooms in far more determined mood as they set about the task of redressing the balance. However, unlike the first half, Olympic opted to sit back more and soak up the pressure rather than taking the game to their opponents, although the ploy appeared to work as their hosts final ball continually let them down.

As the visitors regained the initiative in the latter stages of the contest they wrapped up a decisive victory on 82 minutes when from a throw-in from the left the ball was eventually played inside to Leon Allen some 25 yards out from goal. With the midfielder now intelligently holding on to possession it allowed Willie Dunn to make a superb overlapping run into the right side of the Royals penalty area and as the ball was released into the path of the wide man he cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable drive into the bottom right corner from 12 yards past 'keeper Tony Breedon.

To their credit the Southern League side gamely battled on and with a couple of minutes of normal time remaining they grabbed a purely consolational goal as the referee waved away two appeals for infringements on the visitors contingent by Sutton players before substitute Nathan Moran was allowed to progress on a mazy run down the right flank and pulled the ball back into the path of Darren Berks who easily converted from close range.

Rushall now go on to meet arch-rivals Chasetown in the Semi-Final of the competition at Dales Lane on Tuesday 12th April with Express & Star League outfit Tividale waiting for the eventual victors in a Final that will take place at Walsall's Bescot Stadium at the end of the season.

Rushall Olympic: Ryan Price, Willie Dunn, Steve Shaw (Dave Davies), Richard Brown ©, Ian Mitchell, Rob Holdcroft, Darren Goodall, Ron Walker (Simon Truman), Ben Porter, Joe O'Connor (Tyrone Barnett), Leon Allen. Unused Substitutes: Neil Kitching & Steve Johnson

Rushall Olympic 1 - 0 Chasetown

Travel Factory Alliance

Saturday 19th March 2005

Rushall Olympic were indebted to goalkeeping hero Ryan Price for turning in a price-less display as the Dales Lane side were forced to endure a nerve-wracking 90 minutes in front of their campaign best attendance of 263 against 3rd placed neighbours Chasetown, who were eventually undone by a first half Ron Walker goal.

On a glorious spring afternoon Chasetown began in confident mood, eager to avenge last months 3-0 home defeat against the Pic's, but it was Rushall who threatened first on 10 minutes when sweeper Ian Mitchell's ambitious low free-kick drilled in from 30-yards through the defensive wall was well held by 'keeper Simon Bryan on his goal line.

Within a minute it was the visitors turn to try their luck from distance when Olympic stopper Ryan Price had to smartly tip over Danny Coates' curling free-kick from 25 yards out that was heading for the top right corner.

As play continued to swing engagingly from end-to-end, on the half hour mark the Scholars Matt Bytheway broke forward down the right channel and ultimately flashed a long range shot across the home custodian who claimed the ball low to his right with great self assurance.

Despite Chasetown enjoying arguably the lions share of possession up until that point, Rushall delivered the perfect riposte as they claimed an extremely important advantage in the 31st minute by taking the lead against their third-placed opponents when Tim Jackson's mazy run was impeded 10 yards out from the box as the wing back cut in from the left flank. As the ball was deftly floated into the danger zone from the resulting free-kick, midfielder Ron Walker rose high above the visitors defence to power home a downward header from 8 yards to claim his 7th and probably the most crucial of the campaign so far.

To their immense credit the Scholars quickly regrouped after suffering the set-back and 8 minutes before the interval Dave Egan was sent clear of Rushall's rearguard, but as the front-runner cut menacingly into the left side of the penalty area, 'keeper Ryan Price was alert to the imminent danger and brilliantly parried the eventual low drive on to his near post for a corner.

Throughout the first half Olympic's front-line had been given rather short thrift from the Scholars forceful defensive unit and they were obliged to emerge for the second period minus the services of influential striker Neil Kitching. Unfortunately, the home side had inexplicably failed to include a ready-made replacement among their substitutes and as a result top scorer Joe O'Connor effectively had to plough a lone furrow for the remainder of the contest, reducing Rushall's attacking prowess significantly.

As the game progressed to a conclusion the nerve endings of the home support began to fray evermore as Chasetown ruthlessly stifled the Dales Lane sides natural passing game as their contingent closed down the opposition at every available opportunity, confining the play mainly to Rushall's half and making the one-goal cushion appear extremely uncomfortable to sit upon.

Moving into the final nine minutes of normal time a deep ball in from the right was missed by the head of Dave Davies and fell fortuitously at the feet of Scholars skipper Steve Ball on the left side of the 6-yard box, however stopper Ryan Price was once more on the very top of his game as he nimbly pounced to block out the strikers snap shot for a corner as defender Ian Mitchell darted across the goal line to cover.

On 84 minutes Olympic survived a second potentially lethal raid upon their goal as they once more went perilously close to relinquishing the lead, but thankfully defender Richard Brown was in exactly the right place at the right time to save his colleagues. On this occasion another dangerous ball in from deep found former Olympian Steve Ball barely 8 yards out and despite his rasping close range drive beating Ryan Price, the Dales Lane skipper somehow managed to get his body behind the ball right on the goal line to scoop the danger clear to safety.

With Rushall now barely managing to progress the ball into Chasetown territory, in almost the 4th minute of injury time 'keeper Ryan Price was once more called into action as he was forced to pull off yet another stunning save to keep his goal intact. As the visitors forced a corner down the left the initial in-swinging kick was repelled, but as the ball ran temporarily out of the penalty area it was hammered straight back with a howitzer of a return that was heading for the right side of the net. However, the Pic's custodian was equal to the challenge and dived spectacularly at full stretch to his left to tip away the vicious effort to safety.

Never before had a clean sheet been so important to the Dales Lane side and the final whistle was greeted by the home support with sheer relief as Rushall Olympic extended their mammoth margin at the top of the Travel Factory Alliance table to 18 points, safe in the knowledge that a maximum of 8 points from their final 5 games will definitely clinch the championship.

Rushall Olympic: Ryan Price, Willie Dunn, Tim Jackson (Steve Shaw), Dave Davies, Ian Mitchell, Richard Brown ©, Ron Walker, Leon Allen, Neil Kitching (Neil Barnfield), Joe O'Connor, Simon Truman (Rob Holdcroft). Unused Substitutes: Darren Goodall & Steve Johnson.

Rushall Olympic 3 - 0 Quorn

Travel Factory Alliance

Saturday 12th March 2005

It was another truly excellent day for Rushall Olympic as they tightened their grip further at the top of the Travel Factory Alliance table with a superb 3-0 home victory over second placed Quorn. The result saw the Dales Lane side go an incredible 17 points clear in pole position after third placed Chasetown and Stourbridge in fourth spot both succumbed to defeats.

Quorn set their stall out early on needing a victory to cut Rushall's strangle hold to only 11 points with the Leicestershire outfit having 4 games in hand. Indeed, after less than 10 minutes the tricky Joe Jonas sprang the Pic's off-side trap and steamed down the right channel before cutting inside, only to fire in a vicious rising drive that flashed across the face of goal.

However, Olympic weathered the storm and were quickly on the offensive on 14 minutes when excellent work by Tim Jackson down the left flank saw the wing back reach the by-line before delivering a tempting deep cross to the far post that was met by a powerful downward header from Joe O'Connor and 'keeper Matt Nurse did extremely well to parry the close range effort on to his left upright before the danger was repelled by a defensive clearance.

A minute later and Quorn were far less fortunate when Neil Kitching broke menacingly through the centre before sending Simon Truman free of his defensive shackles with a slide rule pass. Although the visitors stopper advanced off his line to narrow the angle, Rushall's playmaker held his nerve superbly to expertly slot the ball home from 20 yards past his adversary to complete an irresistibly silky smooth move in great style.

The Dales Lane side continued to boss proceedings against their Leicestershire rivals and in the 27th minute a long throw-in from the left by skipper Richard Brown was headed goalwards by Joe O'Connor six yards out and 'keeper Matt Nurse was forced to dive full length as the ball somehow rolled agonisingly wide of the right post.

However, Quorn were still very much alive to the counter offensive and within a minute Rhys Tippett darted clear of the off-side trap down the left channel, but as the wideman cut inside towards the penalty area 'keeper Ryan Price was alert to the imminent danger and advanced off his line to superbly block out a stinging low 15 yards drive.

With 11 minutes remaining until the interval Rushall almost doubled their advantage as they again pushed the visitors firmly on to the back foot when a good ball in from the right by Willie Dunn was headed down by Neil Kitching into the path of Ron Walker whose first time 15 yard volley rose marginally over the crossbar.

Olympic were rapidly out of the starting blocks for the commencement of the second period and within 4 minutes of the restart they secured what turned out to be an extremely valuable second goal. After forcing a second corner kick in the space of a minute the ball was swung into the danger zone from the left by Willie Dunn and Neil Kitching rose majestically above the Quorn defence to power a downward header past the flat foot custodian from 8 yards to net his first goal in 5 games and Rushall's 100th of the season.

Two minutes later and the visitors were left completely demoralised as Joe O'Connor was sent clear by a clever through ball from Simon Truman and as the Pic's top scorer bore forebodingly down up goal he bided his time to perfection before lashing home an excellent effort into the right side of the net from 20 yards past stunned stopper Matt Nurse to give his side an extremely healthy 3-goal cushion, by netting his 9th goal in 8 league games and the Pic's 750th in Alliance football.

As Quorn regrouped on 53 minutes they were extremely unfortunate not to reduce the arrears when a quick ball forward to the left by-line from a short free-kick was played dangerously across the face of goal, but somehow front runner Joe Jonas hit a close range first time drive up on to the underside of the crossbar only to see the rebound bounce back into play before it was eventually safely gathered by the relieved Ryan Price.

However, that was about as good as it got for the Leicestershire outfit who, try as they might, essentially failed in their forlorn attempts to pressurise Rushall's steadfastly solid rearguard action. Indeed, as the second period progressed it was always the Dales Lane side that appeared far more likely to extend their already dominant advantage as Quorn's defence became increasingly overstretched and highly vulnerable to the counter-attack. On one such occasion on 67 minutes only a ludicrously late flag for a debatable off-side decision prevented Olympic from registering a fourth goal as Joe O'Connor darted clear of the visitors back-line before expertly rounding the 'keeper and rolling the ball into an empty net.

Predictably, the final whistle was greeted with some jubilation by the home support as they offered tremendously appreciative applause for their team who had once again upped the stakes in the league title race by registering an outstanding victory against one of their closest rivals.

Additionally, Rushall's 9th consecutive Alliance success equalled their best ever sequence of results that was also achieved during the 2nd place finishes of season 2000-01 and 2002-03 and now the Dales Lane side will be looking to go one better when they face third place Chasetown at home next weekend, knowing that 14 points from their remaining 6 games will secure the league title.

Rushall Olympic: Ryan Price, Willie Dunn, Tim Jackson (Rob Holdcroft), Dave Davies, Ian Mitchell, Richard Brown ©, Ron Walker, Leon Allen (Neil Barnfield), Neil Kitching, Joe O'Connor, Simon Truman (Steve Shaw). Unused Substitutes: Darren Goodall & Paul Cooke.

Ludlow Town 1 - 2 Rushall Olympic

Travel Factory Alliance

Saturday 5th March 2005

(Report courtesy of the Walsall Chronicle)

Team of the month for January and February, Rushall Olympic travelled to Ludlow Town who were unbeaten in their last six home games. This was going to be a tough game with two in-form teams and it was the league leaders Rushall who took the points.

Rushall started off kicking against a very strong wind that spoiled a good game. Rushall were first to show with a good move down the left by Nicky Campbell who ran at a suspect home defence into the box where he had his back foot whipped from under him but the referee stopped play and amazingly booked him for diving.

Rushall's next attack saw them take the lead on 17 minutes when the home side failed to clear their lines and predator Joe O'Connor punished them with a clinical finish, his eighth goal in seven games.

However, within five minutes Rushall's defence found themselves in a similar mess and gave way a sloppy goal when Gareth Horler scored to level the game at 1-1.

Both sides battled out the remainder of the half with the home side creating some good chances but failed to add to the score line.

The second half, with the wind at their backs, Rushall went in search of the winning goal, after numerous chances from Neil Kitching, Nick Campbell and Tim Jackson Rushall found it hard to break down an eight-man defence.

The all important goal came after 79 minutes when Joe Williams handled the ball inside the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Nicky Campbell stepped up to blast the penalty past Martin Poole and give Rushall their eighth win on the trot.

Rushall Olympic: Ryan Price, Willie Dunn, Tim Jackson, Dave Davies, Ian Mitchell, Richard Brown ©, Ron Walker, Leon Allen (Simon Truman), Neil Kitching (Ben Porter), Joe O'Connor, Nick Campbell (Neil Barnfield). Unused Substitutes: Rob Holdcroft & Paul Cooke.

Birmingham City 2 - 0 Rushall Olympic

Birmingham Senior Cup Semi-Final

Wednesday 2nd March 2005

Rushall Olympic's Birmingham Senior Cup adventure was curtailed in disappointing fashion by a talented young Birmingham City outfit at Solihull Borough's Damson Lane ground on a bitterly cold evening.

Rushall enjoyed a bright opening and on 14 minutes skipper Richard Brown recorded the ties first worthwhile effort on goal as his 15 yards drive in the aftermath of a Simon Truman free-kick was well held by 'keeper Jake Meredith to his left.

During the first period the visitor's more than held their own and restricted the Blues to a couple of corner kicks. During this time right sided midfielder Nick Wright was undoubtedly Birmingham's most dangerous player with the wideman unleashing a couple of long range efforts that amounted to nothing.

With Olympic still probing for an opening on the half hour mark, Ben Porter's rapid burst forward was halted by a foul challenge from the last defender that failed to warrant even a caution and Simon Truman's 20 yard free-kick was curled marginally wide of the left upright.

As the interval approached the home side began to gain the upper hand as Rushall found it increasingly difficult to wrestle possession from their opponents, however on the stroke of halt-time Ben Porter broke dangerously through the centre sending midfielder Neil Barnfield clear, but the midfielder rushed his shot sending the ball wide of the left post from the edge of the box.

Following a goalless first period the Blues emerged for the second half in a far more positive frame of mind and were clearly intent on a more physical approach to the game in an attempt to muscle out their part-time opponents. Indeed, within seven minutes of the restart Richard Brown was out fought down the right channel by Peter Till and as the front runner raced clear his pin-point centre to the edge of the box was driven goalwards first time by strike partner Andrew Barrowman and the ball rattled the right hand post before rebounding to safety with 'keeper Ryan Price well beaten.

However, Olympic failed to heed the stark warning and two minutes later their defensive unit again failed to track Birmingham's fleet footed runners, this time allowing Nick Wright to make a dangerous run down the right flank before squaring the ball to Peter Till who clinically rifled home from just outside the area to give his side the lead.

Although falling behind was somewhat harsh on Rushall, by the time the hour mark had arrived the superior fitness of the home side was already beginning to tell as they were given far too much time and space on the ball, which at times spelled great danger for the Walsall side, coupled with Birmingham's enhanced potency shooting from distance.

Indeed, on 68 minutes the Blues almost went further ahead when midfielder Asa Hall fired narrowly wide of the left upright from 25 yards with a dipping low drive.

By the 71st minute Olympic had sent on all their allotted replacements and with wing back Nick Campbell being pushed forward as a third front runner the visitors once again began to look more menacing on the offensive.

Indeed, within 4 minutes Rushall were left to rue the miss of arguably their best opportunity of the match when Nick Campbell's in-swinging corner from the left was missed by 'keeper Jake Meredith and dropped close to the goal line, but somehow substitute Tyrone Barnett managed to scoop the ball over the cross bar from close range.

As Birmingham responded strongly 7 minutes later 'keeper Ryan Price was forced to tip away Asa Hall's powerful header from 10 yards at full stretch to his left after the midfielder had met Nick Wright's pacey centre.

However, it was little surprise when the Blues eventually put the game firmly out of the visitors reach on 81 minutes as a tiring defence spurned several opportunities to arrest the mazy run of Nick Wright from the left channel and as the wideman cut inside towards the edge of the box he unleashed a clinical low right footed drive that beat the Rushall stopper into the bottom left corner to seal a place in the Final.

Rushall Olympic: Ryan Price, Nick Campbell, Willie Dunn, Dave Davies, Ian Mitchell, Richard Brown ©, Neil Barnfield, Leon Allen, Neil Kitching (Joe O'Connor), Ben Porter (Tyrone Barnett), Simon Truman (Ron Walker). Unused Substitutes: Rob Holdcroft & Steve Shaw.

Heath Hayes 2 - 3 Rushall Olympic

Walsall Senior Cup 2nd Round

Tuesday 1st March 2005

An unfamiliar Rushall Olympic line-up needed extra-time to see off the feisty challenge of Express & Star League Premier Division outfit Heath Hayes as they progressed into the Quarter-Final stage of the Walsall & District Football Association Senior Cup by three goals to two.

An initially disjointed Rushall side went behind as early as the 8th minute when during the aftermath of a long throw-in from the right 'keeper Paul Cooke, playing his first full game for over six weeks, was slow to react to the danger and front runner Richard Hewitt had all the time in the world to stab the ball home from 10 yards.

It could have been far worse for the visitor's midway through the first period when striker Richard Hewitt burst through clear on goal but slotted well wide of the left upright from the edge of the box as Paul Cooke narrowed the angle.

With five minutes to go to the interval Olympic's custodian was forced to save his colleagues again as wideman Andrew Tuck ran through but, despite appearing to be two yards off-side, he was allowed to progress and only a fine block prevented the home side from doubling their advantage.

However, within a minute of the scare the complexion of the cup tie was changed completely as Rob Holdcroft's dangerous run towards the edge of the Heath Hayes penalty area was abruptly halted by a clumsy defensive foul challenge and from the resulting free-kick Aaron Bishop, making his first appearance in the first team since November 2004, drilled in a powerful low drive that took a deflection off the defensive wall and flew inside the left upright past the despairing dive of 'keeper Karl Ward.

During the second period the mix and match Rushall side, who had begun the tie like a proverbial bunch of strangers, slowly began to gel together as a team and within 8 minutes of the commencement of the second period they almost grasped the initiative as coach Dave Read, making his first appearance of the season, drilled in a long range free-kick from the left channel and Aaron Bishop's powerful downward header from 10 yards rocketed just wide of the left post.

As the second half progressed the two sides became embroiled in a territorial battle with Olympic's mixture of talented teenagers and one or two older heads being more than a match for their more worldlier opponents.

With only 7 minutes remaining Rushall should have clinched the tie outright when a good break forward by Steve Shaw down the left flank ended with a curling centre that Aaron Bishop connected on to and drove first time from 15 yards narrowly over the bar after making a late run.

After only 5 minutes of extra time the visitors took a big step towards sealing the tie when Rory McFarlane's run into the left side of the Heath Hayes box was curtailed by a defenders clumsy trip that earned the offender a caution and gained the Pic's a penalty. The experienced Dave Read stepped up to take the conversion attempt and forcefully rammed the ball home through the grasp of 'keeper Karl Ward by shear brute force.

Within five minutes of falling behind for the first time in the game the hosts bravely fought back when a free-kick from the left flank was played through for Andrew Tuck to run on to and the ex-Olympian burst through a hesitant Rushall backline to bury the ball past the flat footed Paul Cooke from the edge of the box.

In the 102nd minute Olympic should have retaken the lead when the ever dangerous Aaron Bishop's looping effort from outside the box was smartly tipped over the bar by Karl Ward at the last minute for a corner kick.

Almost immediately from the restart of the second period of extra time the visitors caught their hosts cold when a dangerous ball into the box was instinctively latched on to by substitute Tyrone Barnett who ruthlessly stabbed the ball past the advancing stopper from 15 yards as they both challenged.

It could have been far worse for Heath Hayes in the closing stages as Aaron Bishop lobbed the ball marginally wide of the left upright and Sean Allington fired wide of the left post, both from outside of the box, but Rushall had done enough to clinch a Quarter-Final tie at Sutton Coldfield Town next week.

Rushall Olympic: Paul Cooke, Rory McFarlane, Dave Read, Steve Shaw, Rob Vassell, Steve McCartan © (Tyrone Barnett), Daniel Hemmings (Luke Bradley), Andre Francis, Ben Porter (Sean Allington), Aaron Bishop, Rob Holdcroft. Unused Substitutes: Steve Johnson & Darren Goodall.