Rye out to cage Lions

The Quarterboys will entertain Pagham, nicknamed the Lions, in a Sussex County Football League Division One second versus first encounter. Kick-off at The Salts is 3pm.

Rye assistant manager Andy Laskey said: “Obviously we’ll respect Pagham for what they’ve done, but as far as I’m concerned, if we perform anywhere near to our potential, it will have to be a very good side to beat us.”

The surprise first defeat of the campaign at home to Hassocks last weekend gives tomorrow’s game added significance from a Rye standpoint because they trail their opponents by three points having played two more matches.

“It’s important because we don’t want them to get further ahead so we’re playing catch-up,” continued Laskey. “It’s too early to say ‘well that’s it’ if we lose, but we’re going out to win the game – we’re not going out to avoid defeat.”

The game will bring together the division’s leading scorers in Rye (36 goals from 12 league matches) and the team which has conceded the fewest goals in Pagham (seven from 10 fixtures – all of which they’ve won).

Laskey went on: “As well as scoring goals for fun, the chances we’re creating is something else. There’s not really been a team that’s carved us open as such, but we’ve got to tighten up as a team, there’s no doubt about that.”

Laskey was unsure whether or not goalkeeper Josh Pelling will be fit enough to return, but Paul Watson should be available having recovered from a calf strain. Ben Radley and Nathan Russell are both away.

See today’s Rye Observer for the full article.