Derby win puts Rye two clear

The Quarterboys won 2-0 away to Sidley United on Boxing Day as Division One title rivals Pagham were held to a 2-2 draw by Selsey.

Phil Rhodes gave Rye a third minute lead and substitute Duncan McArthur killed off a battling Sidley side from the penalty spot midway through the second half.

Just down the road at The Polegrove, Bexhill United won 2-1 at home to Little Common in Division Two thanks to a late winner from Dan Hill.

Dominic Clarke had earlier put Bexhill in front with his 18th goal of the season before Jordan Wood headed Common level from a Russell Eldridge set-piece.

Westfield continued their upturn in form with a 3-1 victory away to Seaford Town, also in Division Two. Sam Willett, Andy Hales and David Pugh scored the goals.

Full reports on each of these matches will appear in Friday’s Observers.

Standings (played-points) – Division 1: 1 RYE UNITED 23-53, 2 Pagham 21-51, 3 Lancing 23-44, 4 Hassocks 23-43, 5 Three Bridges 18-40, 6 Peacehaven & Telscombe 23-39, 7 East Grinstead 27-36, 8 Lingfield 21-35, 9 Redhill 20-34, 10 AFC Uckfield 24-33, 11 SIDLEY UNITED 24-33, 12 Crowborough Athletic 26-31, 13 Horsham YMCA 25-29, 14 Selsey 21-28, 15 Shoreham 24-23, 16 Worthing United 24-24, 17 Ringmer 22-22, 18 Arundel 22-20, 19 St Francis Rangers 27-15, 20 Chichester City 20-8.

Division 2: 1 East Preston 20-53, 2 Hailsham Town 18-41, 3 Dorking Wanderers 18-39, 4 Storrington 23-35, 5 Mile Oak 23-33, 6 Littlehampton Town 19-32, 7 Southwick 21-31, 8 Wick 20-29, 9 Eastbourne United AFC 21-28, 10 BEXHILL UNITED 21-27, 11 Rustington 21-26, 12 Loxwood 20-25, 13 Steyning Town 22-22, 14 LITTLE COMMON 20-19, 15 WESTFIELD 18-19, 16 Oakwood 20-17, 17 Seaford Town 18-16, 18 Midhurst & Easebourne 19-10.