Rushall Olympic 3 Lowestoft Town 1 -Report and pictures
Skipper Sam Whittall, Danny Waldron and Ben Lund struck as Rushall Olympic grabbed a much-needed 3-1 victory against Lowestoft Town on Non-League Day.
The Pics halted a six-match winless run in the Southern League Premier Central and Whittall set them on their way with a well-taken spot-kick.
Waldron and Lund each netted from a few yards for Liam McDonald's side in the second half at Dales Lane, before Conor McKendry's consolation for the Trawler Boys.
It was a thoroughly deserved first home triumph of the season for Rushall.
They began at a high tempo, making the most of the high wind by breaking forward at good speed.
Left-winger Edwin Ahenkorah tested visiting goalkeeper Elvis Putnins a couple of times following some fancy footwork. Pics striker Lund tried to capitalise after the second effort was spilled but connected with Putnins' hand rather than the ball, leaving the glovesman in considerable pain - he received five minutes of treatment and, in the end, was unable to continue.
Andrew Reynolds then went between the sticks for Lowestoft and the hosts punished a mistake from him to take the lead. In trying to claim Ahenkorah's cross, Reynolds clipped Lund and left referee Richard Walker no choice but to award a penalty. Whittall kept his cool, placing well out of Reynolds' reach.
Rushall carried on attacking with intent and eventually doubled their advantage through Waldron. He got on the end of Ahenkorah's low drive across the face of goal, poking home via the post.
And a very similar move saw them go three up. Tyler Lyttle's cross from the right fell to Lund who smashed in from point-blank range.
McDonald was delighted to see his charges find their scoring touch but disappointed by their failure to keep a clean sheet. McKendry jinked past a few black and amber shirts and fired past Joe Slinn from the edge of the box, giving the Lowestoft supporters who made the seven-hour round trip something to smile about.
Rushall (4-2-3-1): Slinn; Lyttle, Hull, Townsend, Adelakan; Whittall (c), Smikle; Ahenkorah (Paisley, 87), Monteiro, Waldron; Lund (Richards, 75)
Subs: Pendley, Truslove, Singh
Attendance: 281
