Rye v Peacehaven

It was the third meeting between these two sides this season, with Rye winning the League game at Piddinghoe Avenue in commanding fashion back in August, and then snatching a last minute victory in the John O'Hara Cup a few weeks ago. Like that meeting, this game could have gone either way, but Rye made it 3 out of 3 - and Peacehaven will be glad this fixture won't appear on the schedule again this season.

There were three changes to the Peacehaven side which started against AFC Uckfield, with Carl Dunk returning from suspension, Matt Fleming replacing the unavailable Aaron Gunn, and Chamal Fenelon making his first start since November.

It was to be a game of very few chances for either side, and it was midway through the first half before there was a direct shot on either goal - and it proved to be the decisive moment. Rye were awarded a hotly disputed free-kick just outside the area, and Sam Adams curled his shot around the wall and into the bottom corner to put the home side ahead.

The lead was nearly cancelled out within 2 minutes, when Carl Dunk's free-kick found the head of Ryan Bradley in the six yard box, but his angled header dropped inches wide of the post, but it was soon the home side who were causing scares. On the half hour mark, a looping effort from Duncan McArthur sailed over the Peacehaven defence and looked to have dropped into the back of the goal, but thankfully for the away contingent it was a trick of the eye, and the ball was safely the wrong side of the net.

As we approached half time, there was one more chance for Peacehaven when Harry Coker's header narrowly cleared the bar, and from the resultant goal kick Rye almost doubled their lead. The pace of Matt MacLean, which was a problem all afternoon for Peacehaven, took him clear, and Jake Buss had to be at his best to block a thunderous shot.

The pattern of play was very similar after the break with neither side being able to stamp their authority on the game. The introduction of the pacey Jordan Lang against a tiring home defence started to open avenues for Peacehaven, and it nearly paid dividends as the half wore on. His teasing cross found the unmarked Matt Fleming, but he was unable to finish.

Jake Buss then produced a spectacular one handed save at the foot of his post from a McArthur header to keep the game alive, but the final 10 minutes of the game was mainly Rye running down the clock to grab a valuable 3 points for themselves in their quest for the title.

For Peacehaven, they were never favourites to win this game, and the 19 match unbeaten away League run has finally come to end. It also means 3 League defeats in a row, and the last time that happened was the start of last season....... they then went on an impressive run which saw them brush most teams aside before finishing in a creditable 3rd position.

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