Subs: 12 D Ellis (on for D Clarke 70mins), 14 J Watson, 15 L Woodley ( on for D Leach 85mins), 16 D Cruttenden, 17 S Price

Yellow: None

Red: None

Goals: M Gall 40mins

Final Score: 0-1

Rye United Win

Seaford Town 0-1 Rye U

Rye managed to master the poor weather conditions in this very wet mid week
battle. In the past this tie has been a feisty affair but not today as both
teams slipped and skidded in the mud.

In the first 10 mins both teams gave away the ball as it stuck in the mud as
Passes didn't quite make the distance and it looked like set pieces or
snaffling defensive errors may be the best way to score. However it was Rye
who started the brightest and the 2 up field FKs ended in Leach straying
offside and a direct McArthur curler swinging wide.

Seaford at the other end tried to pass the ball around in the box enabling
Saunders to intercept, and a little later he stopped a shot at goal.

Rye then strung 2 good attacks together with McArthur finding Leach who
crossed only for Clarkes shot to be blocked in the area, followed by a
Tuppeney cross which Clarke headed down for Leach who was adjudged as having
controlled with his hand and the ref brought play back.

On 22 mins Seaford won a FK and Saunders was forced to turn the ball round
the post for a corner. Other than this Seaford were restricted to shooting
wide from distance.

Rye had another FK in a promising area but once again it struck the wall.
However Rye were starting to get more from their open play possession and
Tuppeneys cross headed at goal by an unmarked Clarke was directed straight
at their grateful keeper.

Rye opened the scoring on 40 mins when McArthurs cross was helped up into
the air by a defenders head and Marc Gall rose salmon like first to the
loose ball. Seaford ended the half with a shot that Saunders caught easily.

Second half and Rye were the more focused and Clarke saw a shot fly wide in
the opening moments after Seaford failed to clear the ball out for athrow.
Seaford should have done better when a striker headed a cross wide as he
struggled to maintain his balance.

On 57 mins Clarke was replaced by Ellis. Seaford had the next real chance
and Saunders again caught the ball against his chest from a FK.

Now Rye were able to use the fresh legs of Ellis and coupled with Leachs
relentless running were able to ping the ball down field knowing it would
stick in the mud and force Seaford on the back foot.

Rye came close to a second goal on 75 mins when Sam Cole crossed from the
right into the path of Leach running towards goal, Leach slid along the
ground and only missed the ball by inches. It didn't matter as Seaford didnt
really look like scoring , Luke Woodley came on for about the last 10 mins
for Leach and Rye managed to keep the ball in Saefords half to see out the
game.

Shots Rye 6

Seaford 8