East Sussex Football League: Rye Town and Punnetts Town make it two out of two

Reigning champions Rye enjoyed a 2-1 success at Hollington United in what was probably the standout clash of the new campaign’s second weekend.

Goals from Sam Henham and Will Brown put Rye 2-0 up at half time, and they saw the game out despite a Hollington side which won its opening match 5-0 pulling one back in the second period.

Punnetts followed up their 12-0 triumph on the opening day by prevailing 4-3 in a much closer contest against Jesters Town.

Harry Worsell bagged a brace for the second successive weekend, and Jamie Salvidge also netted for Punnetts.

Strikes by Louis Osborne, Callum Baldwin and Jake Barker weren’t quite enough to save Jesters from their first defeat.

Westfield II picked up their first points in resounding style, running out 5-1 winners away to Sidley United in a fixture which ended 10-a-side.

Gordon Cuddington, Jay Tomlin, Conor McManus, Ethan Alexander and Bobby Earl were on the scoresheet for the Westies, while Joe Lyne nabbed a consolation for a Sidley outfit still seeking its first point.

Sandhurst got their programme off to a winning start via a 3-0 away victory against Sedlescombe Rangers.

Harry Morrell, Alfie Field and Sam Wigram notched for the Kent club to ensure Sedlescombe’s first match back in the East Sussex League ended in defeat.

The JC Tackleway provided the day’s only home win, triumphing 3-2 against Bexhill Town to begin their season on a winning note.

Toby Payne grabbed two of Tackleway’s goals, while Drew Holden and Liam Richards were on target for a Bexhill side which was far more competitive than seven days previously.

A full programme of matches is scheduled for Saturday as teams in Division One to Division Four join the fray.

Standings (played-points): Punnetts Town 2-6 (+13 goal difference), Rye Town 2-6 (+2), Hollington United 2-3 (+4), Jesters Town 2-3 (+3), Westfield 2-3 (+3), Sandhurst 1-3 (+3), The JC Tackleway 1-3 (+1), Sedlescombe Rangers 1-0 (-3), Bexhill AAC 1-0 (-4), Sidley United 2-0 (-9), Bexhill Town 2-0 (-13).

Fixtures – Saturday September 7 (kick-off 2pm unless stated):

Premier Division: Hollington United v Bexhill Town, Punnetts Town v Sandhurst, Rye Town v Sidley United (1.30pm), Sedlescombe Rangers v Westfield II (1.30pm), The JC Tackleway v Bexhill AAC (1.30pm).

Division 1: Herstmonceux v SC Pass & Move, Northiam 75 v Hawkhurst United (1.30pm), Rye Town II v Battle Town II (3.30pm), St Leonards Social v Crowhurst II (1.30pm).

Division 2: Bexhill AAC II v Wadhurst United (1.30pm), Catsfield v Parkfield, Hooe v Victoria Baptists, Little Common II v Westfield III (4pm), Sedlescombe Rangers Development v Jesters Town II (3.30pm).

Division 3: Battle Town Development v Robertsbridge United, Mountfield United v Westfield IV, Orington v Crowhurst III, The JC Tackleway II v Hastings Athletic (3.30pm), Ticehurst v Burwash.

Division 4: Bexhill AAC III v Hastings Athletic II (3.30pm), Hastings Comets v Robertsbridge United II, Northiam 75 II v Hawkhurst United II (3.30pm), St Leonards Social II v The JC Tackleway III (3.30pm), Sovereign Saints Development v Icklesham Casuals (4pm).