East Sussex League Premier Division and Division One Cup Final
Pilot Field, Hastings
Admission including Programme: £3.00
Attendance: 150 (estimate)
Match Rating: 3
This evening I decided to take in my second cup final in the East Sussex League this season, for what is arguably the showpiece event of the East Sussex League season, held at the Pilot Field, home of Hastings United.
The two finalists for this seasons Premier Division and Division One Cup Final had two refreshingly unfamiliar teams, at least in terms of success in the East Sussex League, and indeed there would be a new name on the cup by the end of the evening, as neither club had previously won this competition. Rye Town were formed in 2016, out of the ashes of Rye United who abruptly quit what was then the Sussex County League Premier Division in spring 2014. After being promoted from Division One of the East Sussex League in their first season last season, they have held their own in the top flight and came into this game in fourth place in the Premier Division, following eight wins and five draws from their 16 league games. Northiam have had a great season, not only reaching this evening’s final as a second tier, Division One, club, but they are also assured of at least a second placed finish. They currently lead the table by nine points with one game left to play, following 11 wins and four draws from their 17 league games, but they only have one game left, whereas second placed Bexhill AAC have 6 games left. To reach this evening’s final, Rye had beaten The J.C. Tackleway 3-5 away, Hastings Rangers 10-0 at home, Bexhill AAC 3-1 at home, and perennial favourites in the East Sussex League, Hollington United 2-1 at home. Northiam have won 3-4 at Westfield II, Mountfield United 3-1 at home,and Sidley United 0-3 away.
On a bright, sunny but somewhat chilly evening, and with a good crowd in attendance, this was an entertaining game to watch, and one that was simply won by the team who managed to put their chances away. Northiam looked the most threatening team, doing most of the attacking, but they just could not put any of their chances away. Rye opened the scoring on the half hour. The ball was lumped forward high for the striker to chase, and in a tussle with a defender, Richard Weller managed to wriggle free into space before firing home a low diagonal shot across the keeper and into the net. Northiam had a couple of chances in quick succession on 37 minutes following a long throw in, but it was Rye who retained their slender lead at the interval.
Northiam had several decent chances to level the scores- on 56 minutes, a shot from the edge of the area came back off the top corner of the woodwork, and on 68 minutes, had an even better chance, after a couple of Rye defenders got in each other’s way, the Northiam forward dribbled free before passing low to a team mate in a more central position 8 yards out, but the keeper kept out the resultant show with a great reflex block. Rye then won the game with their second goal on 78 minutes. The keeper came out to claim a high ball crossed from wide but fumbled the ball, which in the end broke to Sam Richardson, who fired a lovely shot from the edge of the area into the far side of the net. Northiam continued to press, but it was just to be their night, as Rye lifted the trophy on the pitch shortly after the final whistle. Whilst this evening was disappointing to Northiam, this should still prove to be a very successful season for the club, achieving promotion and with two cup finals yet to contest, in which they probably would be considered favourites.
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