On a freezing cold day Rye Bay under-12s faced a testing away fixture to Bexhill. Bexhill started the brighter of the two sides and took the lead halfway through the first half with a well taken goal after a defensive mix up. Rye responded well, creating chances of their own before the break.
The second half started with both teams pushing forward. Rye got their reward 10 minutes in when Tom Wilkieson chipped in a lovely cross which was met by Layton Andrews, whose powerful header went in off the post. Rye went close again on a couple of occasions with the very busy Kai Jerrey just missing the mark, but it was Bexhill who again got in front to make it 2-1. With minutes to spare a corner taken by Wilkieson was met by Tom Giles, who climbed above the keeper to put his header away to equalise.
The two sides were evenly matched and the game ended in a 2-2 draw.
The team gave 100 per cent and battled to the end with very good performances by Will Beard, Jordan Kilsby (JK) and Liam Wearing in goal, who made some fine saves.
Well done boys!
Match report by under-12 coach Darren Paine