Rye hit Saints for six

The Quarterboys produced some tremendous football in attack, but missed chances and defensive mistakes meant the margin of victory wasn’t as wide as it might have been.

Anthony Storey put Rye ahead in the 16th minute after latching onto a long ball over the top and rounding the goalkeeper. Andy Atkin made it 2-0 some 10 minutes later with a trademark header from Storey’s cross.

Rye squandered opportunities to have been further ahead at half time with Matt Maclean the chief culprit and a St Francis side which had won its previous three league games pulled one back through Charlie Romain in the 54th minute.

The hosts restored their two-goal cushion almost immediately when the impressive Maclean slotted home Atkin’s pass as the flag stayed down, but a defensive mix-up gifted Aaron Walsh a second St Francis goal on the hour.

Again Rye responded quickly through a brilliant Atkin header from Storey’s corner. A deflected Jordan Woodley shot made it 5-2 in the 73rd minute and Maclean rounded-off the scoring five minutes later.

See Friday’s Rye Observer for a full report and reaction.

Elsewhere in Sussex County Football League Division One tonight, Sidley United’s trip to AFC Uckfield was postponed. The same fate befell Bexhill United’s Sussex RUR Charity Cup tie away to Shoreham.

Standings (played-points): 1 East Preston 13-33, 2 RYE UNITED 13-27, 3 Peacehaven & Telscombe 12-25, 4 Hassocks 13-25, 5 Redhill 10-23, 6 Lancing 13-22, 7 Ringmer 11-22, 8 Horsham YMCA 12-19, 9 Lingfield 11-17, 10 Arundel 10-17, 11 Pagham 10-16, 12 East Grinstead Town 13-14, 13 Shoreham 12-13, 14 Crowborough Athletic 12-13, 15 Dorking Wanderers 10-12, 16 St Francis Rangers 12-12, 17 Selsey 10-12, 18 SIDLEY UNITED 11-11, 19 Hailsham Town 11-9, 20 Chichester City 14-9, 21 AFC Uckfield 11-6, 22 Worthing United 10-2.