Subs: 12 L Woodley (on for McArthur), 15 J Watson (on for M Gall), 16 B Ridgeway (on for Loft), 17 P Tuppenney, 18 J Saunders

Yellow: Loft, Gall

Red: L Woodley

Goals: Ellis 3mins, Clarke 7 & 53mins, McArthur 29mins, Loft 60mins, Leach 62mins

Final Score: 2-6

Rye United Win

L'hampton 2-6 Rye Utd

After the recent rainfall the whole of the Sussex County fixture list looked in doubt but Littlehampton got this one underway.

Just sticky goalmouths with some puddling couldn't stop 8 goals today. Lancing won an early corner which was defended ably by Ramsey. Then on 4 mins Ricky Martin crossed into the box and Leach, standing back to goal, headed back for Ellis to run in and thump home from outside the area. Ryes second came 4 mins later when Leach forced the defence to pass back to the keeper who obligingly made a hash when trying to kick away. Clarke was patrolling nearby and managed to slot home leaving the keeper no chance.

Rye were bristling with confidence and Ricky Martin let fly but over the bar. Then near the half way line and right infront of the home bench McArthur, who got past their no 8,raised his arm and caught him in the face. To the home dugouts disgust McArthur was unpunished. When play was finally restarted Littlehampton won a FK which was over hit and Gardner made an easy catch.This was Gardners first touch of the ball on 21 mins.

Moments later at the other end McArthur was clean through but the ball bounced up and hit his hand so play was brought back. Rye then won a succession of Fks the last one taken by McArthur was plucked by the keeper from Clarkes head. However it wasnt long before Rye got their third when the lively McArthur won and converted a splendid top corner FK.

Littlehampton went in at half time with the deficit reduced when Loft passed back to Gardner who's spinning miss kick went straight to the feet of home striker Jamie Buckett.

Half time Rye leading 3 – 1. Second half Littlehampton came out a little stronger than when they finished the first half and from a FK on the half way line, they fired over after good build up play. That was their best chance so far in the match and perhaps they should have capitalised on their next 2 successive corners the last being headed wide.

Rye were still pushing forward though and again the Quarterboys pressured the home side to force an error. This time the keeper cleared across goal straight to the waiting Clarke who had time to control and cut inside to hit home making Ryes 4th on 51 mins. Clarke nearly scored again when Ricky Martins cross was fingertipped away from Clarke at the far post.

Rye's fifth arrived on the hour when McArthurs cross was chested down by Leach for Loft to stab home from a few yards out. Ryes scoring finally came to an end when Marc Gall robbed a home player and slid a pass through to Leach who's shot went under the keepers arm and trickled in on 64th min. Luke Woodley who had been a 2nd half substitute was shown a straight red when a home player fell to the ground clutching his face.

This appeared to be simulation as Woodley didnt have any contact with the player and to make matters worse the ref didnt see any incident but decided someone had done something and Woodley was the nearest. Radley ran forward from defence and carried the ball ball well into the attacking half, his cross not anticipated by the Rye front row.

Ellis had another shot saved spectacularly by the keeper followed by another that went over the bar. At the other end Littlehampton wasted another FK that Gardner easily caught. In injury time Ramsey made a last ditch tackle to deny but moments later the home side got another when J Buckett scored his second after the ball spun over Gardners head.

To sum up Rye were dominant and rampant, albeit given a helping hand by the home goalie, Rye deserved the scoreline.

Shots Rye 12 Lancing 5

Cards Yellows 2 Rye Loft , Gall

Red Rye L Woodley

Yellows Littlehampton 2