Subs: 12 P Tuppenney (on for Ellis 62mins), 14 D Cruttenden (on for Leach 80mins), 15 S Cole, 16 R Martin (on for Radley 69mins), 17 L Woodley.
Yellow Cards: A Garman 67mins, B Radley 69mins, M Gall 88mins.
Red Cards: None
Goals: McArthur (pen) 59mins, D Leach 62mins, N Russell 76
Final Score: 1-3
...............................................
-Rye United Win-

Wealden 1 - 3 Rye U

Todays game started at a very fast pace which caught a pre-occupied United off guard as Wealden took the lead on just 3 minutes after playing a cheeky quick free kick.

New signing Nathan Russell nearly evened things out shortly after, driving a powerful header towards goal from a McArthur free kick, only to be saved by the Wealden keeper.

For the next 20 minutes Rye battled to get the equalizer, mostly with breaks down the right wing from Danny Ellis and Andy Garman. It appeared to have worked when a low cross by Garman was met by Striker Danny Leach but his sliding shot put the ball past the right hand post.

On 23 minutes, a curling cross from Garman caught the keeper unaware forcing a late save which was put on to the bar and then over.

For the rest of the half Rye started to dominate especially in midfield with Marc Gall winning most headers enabling Duncan McArthur to switch the ball accross the wings to Garman and Ellis, however something was missing and Rye couldn't find the net.The first half finished with just the one yellow card going to Wealden after a clumsy challenge on Shaun Loft and 1-0 to the home side.

The 2nd half started as the first ended with another yellow for Wealden enabling Loft to have a dig with the first free kick of the half but it was deflected just wide.

The Quarterboys showed why they are unbeaten having three good chances in 5 minutes but still couldn't apply the finishing touch. It looked like Rye had finally equalized when the ball was scrambled off the line.

But then just seconds later on 59 minutes United got what they wanted when a crossed ball came off the hand of a Wealden defender. PENALTY.

Up steps McArthur, can he net his fourth of the season?..................he puts it low to the right of the keeper, the keeper goes the right way but is beaten by the pace of the ball making it now 1-1.

This kick-started Rye's game and within three minutes Leach was through with just the keeper to beat which he does easily putting United in Front.

Rye are now on top of their game but some careless tackles bring out the cards. A yellow for both Garman 67 minutes and Radley on 69.

Scott price takes no chances ahead of next weeks FA Vase game and replaces Radley for Ricky Martin on 69.

Quick feet by McArthur enable him to beat two only to be brought down 25 yards out.

McArthur swings it accross the goal mouth when debutee Russell flies in and meets it perfectly to net the third.

3-1 and it seems Rye have the points in the bag when all of a sudden a wild wealden cross is somehow scrambled off the the United line.

The game starts to get a bit too physical and more yellow cards are given out, one for Marc gall and the other to Wealden. Also getting involved was the Wealden manager who was sent off the field by the referee. Rye kept there professionalism and didn't let the opposing team bully them into making stupid mistakes or retaliating.

Overall strong performance by both Wealden and Rye but just edged by the visitors.

Rye just need to concentrate on the last third of the field and making that final pass as that was where they let themselves down today.