Rye stage amazing comeback

Liam Upton scored Rye United's first two goals in the 3-3 draw at home to Lingfield. Picture by Terry S. Blackman

The Quarterboys scored three goals in the final 25 minutes, including an added time equaliser, to extend their unbeaten run to four Sussex County Football League Division One matches.

Rye’s first home game of the season got off to the worst possible start as they conceded three times in the opening 20 minutes. Daryl Coleman put Lingfield ahead with a sixth minute penalty, Hidekazu Sato doubled the lead nine minutes later and former Brighton & Hove Albion striker Nicky Forster made it three.

Lingfield remained on course for a routine win until Liam Upton gave Rye hope with a 72nd minute penalty. The same player made it 3-2 with a deflected effort 12 minutes later and Ben Radley headed the equaliser in the 94th minute.

There was still time for Rye to be denied a strong penalty appeal before the final whistle sounded on a see-saw contest. Rye remain third in the table with 11 points from six matches. See Friday’s Rye Observer for a full report and reaction.

Sussex County League Division One standings (played-points): 1 Arundel 5-12, 2 Dorking Wanderers 5-11, 3 RYE UNITED 6-11, 4 East Preston 4-10, 5 Hassocks 4-10, 6 Crowborough Athletic 5-10, 7 Horsham YMCA 5-9, 8 Newhaven 6-9, 9 Lingfield 4-8, 10 Selsey 5-7, 11 Littlehampton Town 4-6, 12 East Grinstead Town 5-6, 13 St Francis Rangers 5-5, 14 Chichester City 5-5, 15 Shoreham 3-4, 16 Lancing 5-4, 17 Pagham 5-3, 18 Worthing United 5-3, 19 Ringmer 7-3, 20 Hailsham Town 5-0.