Five-star Rye back on song

Having lost 4-0 and 2-0 in their previous two games, Rye produced what manager Scott Price considered probably their best 45 minutes of the season in the second half on Saturday.

Andy Atkin - Sussex County Football League Division One’s leading scorer - put Rye two-up with two headers from corners before scoring an unfortunate own goal with the last kick of the first half.

Matt Maclean, who Price felt was the best player on the pitch, bagged a second half brace and Liam Upton netted his first goal since returning to the club as Rye chalked up their 10th league win of the season.

A below strength Sidley United side, meanwhile, was edged out 2-1 away to last season’s runners-up Lancing in the same division. A miskick in the Sidley defence led to Lancing taking a half time lead.

The hosts doubled their advantage with a header just after the hour. Andy Hales struck the crossbar for the Blues, who pulled one back through Ben Barton’s first senior goal but Lancing held on.

Full reports will appear in Friday’s Observers.

Standings (played-points): 1 East Preston 15-36, 2 Peacehaven & Telscombe 15-34, 3 RYE UNITED 16-33, 4 Ringmer 15-31, 5 Redhill 14-29, 6 Lancing 15-28, 7 Hassocks 15-28, 8 Lingfield 14-26, 9 Horsham YMCA 15-25, 10 Pagham 13-22, 11 East Grinstead Town 15-20, 12 St Francis Rangers 15-18, 13 SIDLEY UNITED 14-17, 14 Arundel 14-17, 15 Dorking Wanderers 14-16, 16 Shoreham 14-16, 17 Crowborough Athletic 15-16, 18 Selsey 15-15, 19 Hailsham Town 12-12, 20 AFC Uckfield 15-9, 21 Chichester City 17-9, 22 Worthing United 15-3.