Magnificent seven for rampant Rye

Remarkably, Maclean’s triple blast came in the first 13 minutes at The Salts last night (Wednesday) and was his second hat-trick in the space of five days.

Ramsay then weighed in with three of his own to take his season’s tally to 13 before Wes Tate rounded-off the scoring with his 12th of the campaign late on.

It all means that Rye have already scored 50 league goals this season and they move within five points of Sussex County Football League Division One leaders Pagham.

Elsewhere last night, Sidley United put themselves 90 minutes away from a third successive Hastings & District FA Senior Cup triumph.

But only just because the Blues scraped through 4-2 on penalties at home to lower grade Westfield after the semi-final had finished 2-2 at the end of extra-time.

Sidley led twice through Chris Rea (penalty) and Scott McDonald, but Westfield fought back through a Sam Willett brace, the second of which was also a spot-kick.

Rea, Lawrence Brand, Adam Day and Casey Ham scored for Sidley in the shootout, while goalkeeper Josh Willis saved from David Miller and Willett. Joe Barham and Sam Winter were the successful takers for Westfield.

Sidley will take on Bexhill United, who beat Little Common 2-0 at The Polegrove the previous night, in a re-run of last season’s final.

Full reports on both matches will appear in tomorrow’s Observers.

Sussex Division 1 top half standings (played-points): 1 Pagham 14-39, 2 RYE UNITED 16-34, 3 Peacehaven & Telscombe 15-28, 4 Lingfield 14-27, 5 Redhill 12-24, 6 Lancing 13-23, 7 AFC Uckfield 15-23, 8 Three Bridges 12-22, 9 Hassocks 14-22, 10 East Grinstead Town 17-21.