Super Rye pull off splendid win

A brace of goals from Andy Atkin, plus one apiece from Anthony Storey and Olly Lockyer saw Rye leapfrog their victims into fourth place in Sussex County Football League Division One.

The sides fought out a goalless draw in the reverse fixture at The Salts seven days previously and the first half of the return game produced little goalmouth incident, although Rye led through Atkin’s 27th minute opener.

Storey doubled their advantage against the Sussex Senior Cup semi-finalists in the 58th minute. An EP side missing around 10 players hit the post through Dan Simmonds two minutes later before Joe Shelley halved their deficit in the 66th minute.

Lockyer restored Rye’s two-goal cushion in the 74th minute, though, and Atkin put the result beyond doubt with a fourth goal in the 81st minute. It was the perfect response to Rye’s 5-0 loss at Lingfield on Tuesday night - their only defeat in 15 matches.

Speaking of Lingfield, they ran out 2-0 winners at home to Sidley United last night. The Blues’ third defeat in six days came about because of two first half goals from Danny Oakins. Elsewhere, Westfield won 3-0 away to Seaford Town in Sussex County League Reserve Section (East).

Sussex Division One standings (played-points): 1 Peacehaven & Telscombe 38-87, 2 Redhill 38-81, 3 Pagham 40-79, 4 RYE UNITED 38-76, 5 East Preston 36-75, 6 Lingfield 39-71, 7 Ringmer 41-69, 8 Hassocks 39-66, 9 East Grinstead Town 39-63, 10 St Francis Rangers 38-59, 11 Horsham YMCA 38-57, 12 Lancing 40-51, 13 Hailsham Town 37-50, 14 SIDLEY UNITED 40-46, 15 Arundel 39-43, 16 Shoreham 39-43, 17 Crowborough Athletic 38-42, 18 Selsey 38-41, 19 Dorking Wanderers 40-40, 20 Chichester City 39-36, 21 Worthing United 39-15, 22 AFC Uckfield 39-15.