Rye frustrate title hopefuls

Rye United produced a resolute defensive display to hold title hopefuls Peacehaven & Telscombe to a goalless draw on Wednesday night.
Liam Upton produced such a sterling display that Rye United joint manager Marc Gall joking said he wondered if the wide midfielder was lying about carrying an injury. Picture by Terry S. BlackmanLiam Upton produced such a sterling display that Rye United joint manager Marc Gall joking said he wondered if the wide midfielder was lying about carrying an injury. Picture by Terry S. Blackman
Liam Upton produced such a sterling display that Rye United joint manager Marc Gall joking said he wondered if the wide midfielder was lying about carrying an injury. Picture by Terry S. Blackman

It was second time that Rye have drawn with Peacehaven in Sussex County Football League Division One this season despite losing 4-0 to the same opponents in a John O’Hara League Cup tie.

Joint manager Marc Gall said: “It was a massive point. To go to Peacehaven and get a point, and not concede - considering we let five goals in and score six most weeks - I’m absolutely chuffed to bits.”

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The visitors set up more defensively than usual with midfielders Jack Franklin and Anthony Storey doing a very effective job of stopping the ball going into the feet of Peacehaven’s big forwards.

Rye were content to let Peacehaven get the ball down and pass it. The hosts struggled to break Rye down and eventually ran out of ideas as the visiting back four defended superbly.

That said, Peacehaven would have been bitterly disappointed at failing to convert two glorious chances during the second half. Rye didn’t create as many opportunities as normal, although Matt Maclean had a half chance in the first half and they did get into a few promising situations.

The only disappointment for Rye was that they picked up five bookings, for which the club will incur a fine. See tomorrow’s Rye Observer for a full report and more reaction.

Rye: Winchester, Sarkies, Alexander, Kelly, O’Callaghan, Crabb, Upton (Johnson), Franklin, Maclean, Storey, Clarke. Sub not used: Cooper.