Subs: 12 D Clarke (on for Radley 46mins), 14 R Martin (on for J Watson 80mins), 15 D Cole (on for S Cole 80mins), 16 A McCann, 17 M Norris
yellow: Loft, McArthur
Red: None
Goals: Leach 34mins, D Cole 90mins
Final Score: 2-6
.....................................
Oakwood win

Rye U 2 - 6 Oakwood

The conditions couldn’t have been more different than last week and the pitch almost perfect. Rye supporters rubbing their hands at the prospect of this encounter and so it would seem the players felt the same.

Rye came straight out the blocks and on 2 mins the Oakie keeper was called to catch followed by a Macca stinger from 25 yds. Ellis ran to the touchline and crossed for Macca who's goal bound shot was blocked. Ridgeway a youngster for Rye did well at the back (something I forgot to mention last outing). Rye going forward looked dominating with Macca linking with lofty and the first real bite at the apple came on 10 mins when Leach was pulled back inside the area. However the officials pointed to outside the box, the Free Kick hit high and wide by Macca.

Leach then managed to get to the byline and crossed infront of goal, their goalie managed to divert the ball away towards the pen spot but it didn’t fall kindly for Rye. Oakwood conceding loads of free kicks and it took 14 mins till they got one their way such was Rye’s dominance. Luke Woodley doing fantastic down the wing and caused their left back all sorts of problems.

Rye hit the woodwork when Watson making his debut for RYE thumped a header onto and over the bar from an Ellis cross. Ellis then brought down due to fancy footwork and Oakwood received a yellow. The resulting FK hit by Macca caught of Leach's head. Leach looked a lot sharper than in previous games and he linked well with Luke Woodley and on 32 mins Leach headed in near post from a Rye Free Kick out wide. Rye looked to be cruising when Oakwood spoilt the celebrations by scoring with the next passage of passing play.

They broke down the left and although Gardner got a hand to it couldn’t stop it.
It was Oakwood who should have scored again when a cross over Gardner hands went out for a throw as no Oakwood players ran into the box. Oakwood took the lead a few minutes later with a dipping shot from 25 yds. Oakwood then got a red card for 2nd yellow. A few minutes from the whistle an Oakwood Goal Kick bounced over Lofty and left the striker clean who buried it first time. Rye could only reply when Tuppenney hit high and wide and Ellis won another Free Kick which was taken too quickly to Leach who was still heading towards the goal and the keeper gathered easily. Half time Rye 1 – 3 down.

Second half started much as the first with L Woodley getting in lots of crosses and Clarke heading across goal but no Rye players gambling in the danger area. Sam Cole received a yellow and Leach once again brought down near the area, the kick brought out a diving save from the keeper but the shot was tame. More chances from Rye went astray with headers from dom Clarke and Sam cole such was Rye's play that it took 20 mins into this half for Oakwoods first attempt a wide shot at goal. Macca got a yellow and then fouled the keeper, but his volley on 70 mins went agonisingly wide.

Oakwood manager berated the ref into a card ( red I think as he left the dugout), however he was able to see Oakwood score form a corner hit low and thumped in. Oakwood Still surviving very well with 10 men , went close with a dipping shot flashing just wide. D Cole off for R Martin. Rye's frustration started to show and on 80 minutes challenged the keeper and got a yellow.

The last 10 minutes similar to the first half saw goals flying in. Next up was an Oakwood goal from poor closing down by Rye then an Oakwood penalty was awarded and put away. Oakwood received the final card of the day another yellow but it was Rye who had the last action when D Cole stabbed in from a yard out the ball somehow finding its way through the whole Oakwood team in the penalty area.

To sum up Oakwood stunned Rye who couldn’t believe they were going to lose this match as they seemed to be in control. When the game was won Rye still played to the final puff even when the points had slipped away from them.
Shots RYE – 15 Oakwood 10


Yellows Rye - S Cole, McArthur, Loft


Oakwood 3 yellows


RED Oakwood 2