RYE TOWN FC 3-0 WADHURST UNITED
Rye Town’s impressive start as a new club, and to the season, continued with a comfortable 3-0 win at home to fourth place Wadhurst United. Rye were forced into numerous changes this week. Suspensions, injuries and holidays stretched the squad for the first time. Oliver Skinner had his full debut along with, Tom Harris and Joe Hanney coming on from the bench.
The first chance of the game fell to Rye, some lovely football down the right saw George Ball’s cross land on the head of Rob Levett, however the striker’s effort was wide of the mark. As the first half started to unfold Rye were dominating, but some superb saves from the Wadhurst keeper kept the game goalless. Midway through the first half Rye took the lead, Chris Gould’s in-swinging corner was headed home by Rob Wilson at the back post.
Charlie Stevens and Levett could have extended the lead but more heroics from the keeper denied both strikers in one on one situations. Alfie Weller who was between the sticks and had been a mere spectator for the majority of the first half, was called into action just before the break tipping a long range effort over the bar. Rye went in at the break with a 1-0 lead.
Rye were forced into making a sub at half time, Tom Harris was introduced for his debut replacing the injured Kevin Earle (back).
With the second half barely 5 minutes old another enforced change, Ben Heffernan replaced the injured Gould (ankle). A knew look midfield three, Harris, Skinner and Heffernan quickly made an impact. Harris controlled the game in midfield retaining possession, linking up play with defence and attack, allowing Skinner and Heffernan to influence the game with their pace further up field. After an hour Rye doubled their lead with Levett ending his goal drought as he clinically finished from the goal line with the keeper stranded on the floor.
The power and pace of the Rye midfield was controlling the game, Ball and Fraser were causing trouble down the flanks too. Ben Heffernan’s left footed drive from 25 yards was superbly kept out by the keeper, as was Oliver Skinner’s shot after great-link up play with the forwards.
The game was rounded off by Fraser with 15 minutes to go. Harris released Heffernan who unselfishly squared the ball to Fraser for a tap in. Joe Hanney was given his debut in the 75 minute replacing George Ball.
Pikes Cleaning Man of the Match- Rob Wilson.
Rye Team:
Weller, Wilson*, Willis(c), Earle, (Harris), Osbourne, Gould, (Heffernan), Skinner, Fraser, Ball, (Hanney), Levett, Stevens. Sub not used Walker.
Match sponsor: Jimmy Hyatt of Dunes Bar, Camber