Rye win again to go fourth

Liam Upton holds off an opponent during Rye United's 3-1 win over East Grinstead Town. Picture by Simon Newstead

As well as extending their unbeaten run under joint managers Marc Gall and Anthony Storey to 11 matches, the result moved Rye up to fourth in Sussex County Football League Division One and they are now the division’s leading scorers with 95 league goals.

Rye actually fell behind in the 12th minute when Steve Major’s low shot from outside the box bobbled over the arm of goalkeeper Yarney Camara as he dived down to his right.

But they responded well and after Andy Atkin struck the crossbar, Dominic Clarke brought Rye level on 25 minutes with a cracking strike which went in off the far post.

Sean Kelly put Rye ahead in the 37th minute by slotting home the loose ball after Anthony Storey’s shot was blocked by a Grinstead defender and Olly Lockyer grazed the away post shortly before the break.

Lockyer produced a sublime piece of skill which some of the Rye faithful described as Messi-esque for Rye’s third goal in the 57th minute, crossing the ball with one foot behind the other to give Matt Maclean the simplest of headers.

Elsewhere last night, Bexhill United ended a run of seven successive defeats with a 3-3 draw at home to Seaford Town in Division Two. Josh Elliott-Noye gave Bexhill a first minute lead only for Seaford to level a couple of minutes later.

Casey Ham put Bexhill back in front shortly before the break, but Seaford netted twice in quick succession during the second period to hit the front for the first time. A late equaliser from substitute Linton Rogers salvaged a point for Bexhill.

Full reports on both matches will appear in Friday’s Observers.

Sussex Division One top six (played-points): Pagham 38-76, Peacehaven & Telscombe 34-75, Redhill 36-75, RYE UNITED 34-69, East Preston 32-68, Ringmer 39-68.