Subs: 12 R Martin (on for Gall 65mins), 14 N Godden (on for Leach 82mins), 15 S Price, 16 J Saunders, 17 L Ridgeway
Yellow: B Ridgeway
Red: None
Goals: D McArthur 65mins, S Cole 82mins
Final score: 2-0
Rye United Win

Rye U 2 - 0 Storrington

A lovely afternoon with a faint glow of sunshine fell on the rosy glow of
the cold cheeks as the spectators lined up for the first league game of the
year. With Lofty missing due to injury from the last game – Scott ramsey
started at the back. Pairing up Clarke and Leach up front.

Rye managed to start the brightest with a shot going wide on 2 mins. This
was followed by a tame FK that the keeper gathered at the second attempt. It
took the 13th minute for Rye to show who was boss when Clarke robbed the
last defender of a back pass and bundled past him towards goal. Clarke shot
at goal but the squatting keeper saved with his legs, the rebound fell to
McArthur who seemed to sidefoot when a thumper was more in order. The shot
hit the outstretched keeper still on the ground but he couldnt gather and
McArthur took the ball wide but struck off target. It looked like his
shooting boots were not on.

The game was being played at a frantic pace in opening 20 mins and McArthur
was in the front line again when he danced across the box past 4 defenders
only to miss place a square pass when a shot again may have caused more
danger. Both teams then exchanged Fks with Storringtons going straight to
Gardner and Ryes met with a header just wide.

Nearly half an hour had passed and McArthur carrying an injury today forced
the Storrington keeper into a brilliant save. Ellis shot wide and
Storrington got a yellow for a foul on Ginge. Luke Woodley who had a great
start had his effort from the left denied by a defender on the line. Luke
Woodley again, this time he crossed the ball behind the line of Rye
attackers but Ellis gathered and shot wide from distance.

40 mins and Rye won a double corner but both defended very well with punches
by the keeper. Storringtons best effort came from a FK hit over te bar from
the edge of the area. Rye replied with Leach who didnt get hold of his shot
and it went tamely into the keepers arms. Rye got a yellow for a foul by
Ridgway. The half ended with Leach setting his sights again with another
shot on target.

The second half and the Rye faithfull were afraid of another Crawley Down
day. This was highlighted when Rye were forced into losing possession deep
and out wide. Storrington eventually crossed the ball which aftre being
struck had to be parried by Gardner. He didnt manage to hold the ball
however and the resulting shot he had to tip over for a corner. Storington
still not finished in foreign territory had a shot blocked from the corner
by Ben Radley. McArthur was again the first to reply for Rye but his shot
was easily gathered. Ellis squared for Leach but this time he fired over.
Storrington received a second yellow.

One of the highlights was a shot by Ginge that had the keeper scrambling to
save a fine effort after a strong midfield performance. Another highlight
being Clarke who ran through to present a 1 on 1 with the keeper. The keeper
came out on top when he was able to claw the ball back when Clarke tried to
square and go around him.

Ginge was replaced by Martin who crossed for Clarke to head off balance wide
of the mark. Ellis hit another from distance.

On 67 mins Rye broke the deadlock when Ridgway took a throw that went right
across the goal and somehow fell to McArthur to fire home from 4 yards.

3 mins later and Storrington shot high and wide followed at the other end by
a goalbound shot from Woodley blocked in an overcrowded box. Rye nearly
threw the points away when Ellis seemed to lob home only for the ball to be
intercepted and the Storrington player ran for goal. Gardner found himself
having to make a fine save to his left to deny the opposition only to see
the ball spill for another shot, fortunately this time high and wide. Leach
replaced by Godden.

On 82 mins Rye doubled their lead when S. Cole ran onto a long pass on the
floor and cut inside to chip the keeper. Storrington claim that Cole was off
side but it looked like he had made his run from deep. Godden made some
brave headers to clear away out wide.

Storrington had their best chance of the half when the newly added no 15
came on and scuffed a header from a cross from the left.

The last few minutes were being played out and Woodley, who played his socks
off could not divert the ball in when the keeper had been left on the floor
after a collision with a team mate. Woodley some how shot wide from 2 yards
when again it seemed easier to score. Good bunch from Storrington and Rye
deserved the win although we still seem to be to benevolent to teams who
come here by presenting them gifts in the goal area. However that said a
fine all round performance especially by the wings today. Well done Rye.

Shots Rye 20

Storrington 8

Cards Rye Yellow B Ridgway,

Storrington 3