SOUTHWICK Football Club lost 4-2 at title-chasing Rye in County League Division 2 on Saturday, but joint manager Dominic Shepherd was pleased with Wickers' performance.
Southwick went into the match with two wins from their previous two games, after an eight-game losing run.
But Shepherd has not become too down-beat after the defeat against a very inform side.
He said: "They're a good side, probably the best
we've played this year, so to go there and play as well as we did was pleasing.
"Having James Wotherspoon back was pleasing and Kristian Bridle played very well again and got his first goal, so I'm delighted for him. I've got a few signings that are lined up to add quality, and I thought we did well."
A Dan Rahaman own goal put Rye ahead at half-time, but Ryan Walton equalised from the penalty spot after a push on Wotherspoon in the 51st minute.
Danny Ellis made it 2-1 and netted his second, and Rye's third, in the 73rd minute.
Dominic Clarke completed Rye's tally before Bridle made it 4-2 late on.
Shepherd added: "Gary Stacey went off injured, which was a blow to us.
We're not sure how bad it is but, hopefully, he won't be out for too long."
SOUTHWICK: Cook; Stideford, Rahaman, Stacey, Murray; Bridle, MacNeill, Bean, Steele; Walton, Wotherspoon. Subs: Tighe (Stacey 10 inj), Chidgey (Steele 75), Rowehurst.
Mile Oak's Division 1 match at Hassocks on Friday evening was postponed owing to a waterlogged pitch.
Oak's Reserves enjoyed an excellent day on Saturday when they defeated Crawley Down 6-1 in County League Reserves Premier Division.
Oak fell behind after just two minutes through a Graham Martin own goal, which went in off his hand.
Martin made amends with two goals, both with the aid of a deflection, to give Oak a 2-1 half-time lead.
Captain Tony Burnett then hit a 25-minute second-half hat-trick, and was brought down for a penalty, which Nick Kerly saw saved.
Martin almost completed his treble in the last minute but his free kick struck a post, came out, hit Crawley's keeper and rebounded into the goal.
Burnett was Oak's man of the match.
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