Rye U 1 - 2 Bexhill U

Subs: 12 D Leach (on for L Ridgway), 14 S Loft (on for J Wood), 15 S Ramsay (on for D Cruttenden, 16 M Gall, 17 J saunders

Yellow: Paul Tuppenney, Luke Woodley

Red: Shaun Loft

Goals: Dominic Clarke (65mins)

Final Score: Rye United 1 - 2 Bexhill United

Bexhill United Win

Rye having decided well before that more important matters lie within the
league table fielded some under 18s to meet bexhill in this semi final. A
welcome return for Dominic Cruttenden who last played in a cup game against
East Preston some months earlier.

Due to the number of changes and the lack of mid field dynamos Ellis and
McArthur, Bexhill gained an early foot hold in that area. Within 10 mins
Bexhill had fired at goal and won a FK and a corner. The corner bringing a
fine diving catch from young Norris in goal.

It took 15 mins for Rye to get any forward momentum and this was only a FK
awarded for handball, Tuppeney crossed for Clarke to head wide of the
target. At the other end L Ridgway was doing well at the back and he blocked
a cross heading for danger.

Bexhill had a FK near the centre circle and Norris again forced to punch but
the ball immediately sent to him at goal and out for a corner. Meanwhile
some of the Rye regulars were starting to find their feet especially Ricky
Martin who slid into the goal narrowly missing a cross from Joe Wood behind
the defenders. It was R Martins efforts again that gave Ryes best chance of
the half when his deflected shot flashed narrowly wide for a GK.

Bexhill looked the more likely to score such was the lack of cohesion of
their hosts, and on 35 mins this was proved when Clarke ,playing at the
back, headed back towards goal.The ball falling well short of Norris and
kindly for their striker who easily found the net. Bexhill doubled their
lead 5 minutes later from an overhit and deep corner. The ball picked up by
a bexhill player unmarked who had time to control and shoot from 20 yards
and past a diving Norris.

Tupps replied with a hopefull shot from distance but right on half time
Norris was called to save with his feet at the expense of a corner. Rye
meanwhile had not won a single corner.

Second half saw 3 subs Ramsey for cruttenden,Leach for Wood and Loft for L
Ridgway. Ramsey being called into action taking a FK immediately but this
unfortunately hit the wall. Rye looked much brighter and McCann was unlucky
not to score when his header from a right cross went wide. Again McCann was
in the thick of it when he broke free on the right flank with Clarke running
into the box only for the final ball to go wayward and behind clarke. Luke
Woodley then skied over when he knows he should have kept the ball on target
from 5 yards.

On 65 mins Rye clawed one back when Tuppennys shot , the last in a 3 shot
attack from a Rye corner, struck a bexhill player on the arm, while Rye
players were protesting at the ref who waved play on, Clarke took possesion
and fired home. Tuppenny got a card for his words to the ref who delayed in
awarding the goal as he was still talking to Tuppenny.

On 75 mins Bexhill hit the side netting from another break away with \rye
pushing for an equaliser. Leach had the best chance of the half to do this
when a Rye FK was delivered precisely to his feet, but he wanted too much
time and didnt get his shot away. The game ended with loft getting a red for
a collision while going for a header and Bexhill successfully ran down the
clock. To sum up Rye had the whole of the second half to put right the first
and they didnt do it. Bexhill wont score 2 easier goals all season and now
they face Sidley in the final.

Shots Rye 9

Bexhill 15

Cards Rye yellow Tuppenny

Red Loft