Rye win to finish second

The Quarterboys achieved an excellent 3-0 victory away to champions Crawley Down to overtake Peacehaven & Telscombe on goal difference in Division One of the Sussex County Football League.

Rye were the better side throughout a partly cloudy but warm afternoon at The Haven Sportsfield, but had to wait until first half added time to break through, Scott Ramsay heading home Liam Upton’s cross.

Upton doubled their advantage 20 minutes into the second half and Matt Maclean added the third just four minutes later. Although Down had a goal disallowed for offside, Rye cruised through the rest of the game.

Rye, who finished with 13 points from a possible 15, will feel as though second place is the least they deserve from a memorable season in which they also reached the FA Vase last eight and John O’Hara League Cup final.

Rye (4-5-1): Pelling (Winchester 42); Dixon, Loft, Richardson, P. Watson; Ellis, Gall (Hales 60), Maclean (J. Watson 72), McArthur, Upton; Ramsay. Subs not used: Rose, Clarke.

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

Final standings (top 6): 1 Crawley Down 91pts, 2 RYE UNITED 76 (+39 goal difference), 3 Peacehaven & Telscombe 76 (+36), 4 Pagham 71, 5 Three Bridges 70, 6 Hassocks 68.