Rye lodge complaint to FA

Sussex County Football League Division One club Rye lost 1-0 away to Spartan South Midlands League Division One outfit Amersham in round two of the FA Vase on Saturday.

But Rye have since made the complaint and paid the accompanying £100 charge. Although no further details of the complaint can be revealed at this stage, if successful it could result in the match outcome being overturned.

Amersham, incidentally, were handed a home tie against South Park in this morning’s draw for the last 64. That match is due to be played on Saturday December 8.

South Park are seventh in the Combined Counties League Premier Division and reached FA Cup fourth round qualifying before losing to a Metropolitan Police side which recently beat Hastings United 4-0.

As for Rye’s match at Amersham, the only goal came during the first half when dangerman Shane Thomas was given too much space to fire past Josh Willis in the away goal.

Rye threw the kitchen sink at their opponents during the second half, but a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping denied them an equaliser. Willis made four or five top drawer saves at the other end, though, to keep Rye in it.

A full report and reaction will appear in Friday’s Rye Observer.