Subs: 12 R Saunders (on for D Leach 70mins), 14 N Godden (on for B Ridgeway 85mins), 15 J Watson (on for D McArthur 80mins), 16 S Price, 17 J Saunders
Yellow: D McArthur, D Clarke
Red: None
Goals: D McArthur 20mins (pen), L Woodley 25mins, D Leach 30, 50, 85mins
Final Score: 5-1
Rye United Win

Rye U 5 - 1 Rustington

On a day when most games were cancelled in Sussex (such was the rain the previous few days), Rye were fortunate to get this one under way. However the pitch ,apart from a few areas in the goals,was in very good condition. It was the wind that would be dictating some of the play today.
Rye kicked off into a stiff and blustery wind and the game took about 15 mins for each side to settle down, neither team having created any chances. The first chance went to the visitors when their FK was met with a free header that was off target and was carried well wide on the wind.

Another Rustington FK was easily dealt with and resulted in Ellis breaking through the midfield who laid off to McArthur on the right. His cross swirled into the wind and was only a foot wide of the post with L Woodley diving at the post narrowly missing the ball. On 20 mins McArthur picked up the ball in front of goal and went on a diagonal run across the goal area, being forced wide by defenders he chipped the ball up and fortunately was deemed to hit a Defenders arm.

The ref pointed to the spot and McArthur without hesitation stuck the ball away. Luke Woodley, who was to be influential today had his first effort saved - it was Rye playing into the weather that had the better of the ball. Ryes second 5 minutes later, was a carbon copy of the McArthur cross earlier but this time Luke Woodley managed to scramble home while on the floor from 1 Yard out. He needed treatment for his bravery as the goal keeper then sandwiched him between post and stood on him .

The next piece of action was another Rye goal on the half hour mark. Ricky Martin held the ball down the left and Dom Clarke managed to find space for a pass who then squared to Leach plumb centre of goal. Leach hit a lob from near the edge of the area that was pushed under the bar by the wind. Rustington then had their second attempt of the half when Ellis lost the ball very deep and Rustington were through, Gardner making a save low to his right. The resulting GK setting up Ellis now on the half way line, he ran on nearly scoring as the away keeper somehow caught the low drive falling onto his stomach. Another shot by Rustington but this time well over and wide.

D Clarke won a FK for persistent fouling and McArthurs kick swung and curled beating all except the cross bar. The ball bouncing behind the line and then blown back into the keepers arms. Rye appealed but the officials didn’t respond, even their keeper acknowledged later that it was over the line. McArthur unlucky not to add his second of the day. On 37 mins Rustington got reward for battling against Rye's midfield when a throw in from the right was fed across midfield and in 3 passes Lee Gibbs scored a well taken goal. Rye should have had another when McArthurs shot from the left this time floated agonizingly close to the cross bar but was repelled by the wind and somehow managed to stay in play, setting up another Rye attack. Whistle blew 3 – 1 to Rye at half time.

Second half and again it was the team playing into the wind that started the better but Rustington didn’t penetrate the Rye defence and lost some momentum. Rye gathered themselves and an Ellis shot from outside the area had their keeper scrambling back as he was out of position. The ball carried on the wind and ended up way too high. Ryes 4th came on 50 mins when again L Woodley did well on the left and did a swivel turn dummying the ball that found its way to leach who hit past the keeper .

Immediately from the KO Rustington set up an attack which forced Gardner to tip up into the air. It looked like it was going over but dropped in front of goal and Gardner was able to scramble back to gather. This was closely followed by a penalty shout for a tackle by Radley, who got the ball away for a corner. Rye looked dangerous when going forward and when Luke Woodley on the half way line swept the ball from under his feet around the last defender , it looked like a sprint for goal.

The crowd gasped when a leg somehow managed to swivel and rob him of possession. On 65 mins Leach crossed to Clarke who didn’t quite make it but once again Woodley was there ,his effort going wide. Clarke who had been yellow carded in the first half was replaced by Richard Saunders. 5 mins later Gardner was forced to save a 1 on 1 the rebound being struck back at goal and blocked by a Rye defender.

McArthurs last action was to chip into the away keepers arms. Watson came on a his replacement. Rustington still pushed for a goal and their next effort was a corner which was missed by everyone and nearly went out for a throw. The resulting cross was easily dealt with by Tupps. On 85 Mins leach managed to finish what Ellis had started when Ellis had run about 40 yds with the ball and around the keeper.

He didn’t get a shot in and crossed to Leach who at the second attempt near the floored defender managed to stab the ball goal ward and into the net. Ben Ridgway replaced by Nathan Godden. Luke Woodley then had a wonderful chance to get on the score sheet when Rye found themselves 3 on 1 with Luke running towards goal. Luke took the keeper on and his shot was well saved down low. In the last few minutes Ellis had a diving right foot volley saved point blank . While his last effort went just wide.

Man of the match for me was Luke Woodley but Ellis was outstanding again. Both McArthur ( who put on a shot display to rival any firework night) and Tuppeney also get special mention. Moreover it was a good display by the whole team and unfair not to mention all the others.

Shots Rye - 18

Rustington - 6

Yellow Cards Rye – Clarke

Rustington 2