Four wins from title glory

The Quarterboys will be certain of top spot in Division One if they win their final four matches irrespective of results elsewhere.

A come-from-behind 2-1 victory at home to Ringmer, coupled with main rivals Three Bridges losing to fellow title hopefuls Lancing, means that Rye’s fate is now in their own hands.

Their manager Scott Price said: “Saturday was perfect really. I wasn’t happy with the way we played and I feel like we’re playing with a bit of fear at the moment, but this time of year the most important thing is the result.”

Things almost got even better for Rye on Tuesday night because Lancing needed a late goal to beat Shoreham 1-0 and Bridges held on to defeat Redhill 2-1 after the Surrey outfit hit the crossbar in the last minute.

It all means that Rye are six points ahead of second-placed Lancing having played an extra game and 11 better off than third-placed Bridges having played four more matches. Rye also have the best goal difference of the three.

“There’s so many ifs and buts at the moment, but the big thing for me is that if we win four games, we win the league,” continued Price. “We’re on a decent run in the league and the number of games is getting less and less.

“I still believe if we win our next three games we’ll win the league. I would still rather be in our position than Three Bridges. They’ve got some hard fixtures still and I do think they will slip up.”

Rye and Lancing are fixtureless until next weekend, but Bridges travel to mid-table Crowborough Athletic tomorrow (Saturday) and ninth-placed AFC Uckfield on Tuesday night.