Late strike ends Rye hopes

Anthony Storey on the ball for Rye United in their FA Vase tie away to East Preston. Picture by Liz Pearce

The Quarterboys conceded an added time goal to lose 2-1 away to Sussex County Football League Division One leaders East Preston in the last 64 of the prestigious national competition on Saturday.

Playing against an EP side which has won 13 and drawn two of its 15 league games so far was always going to be a tough ask, but despite being in the bottom five of the same division, Rye made the trip west believing they were capable of springing a surprise.

The third round tie looked to be following the form book when EP - who have lost just one match in all competitions this season - opened the scoring midway through the first half through Darren Boswell.

Rye got back on level terms in added time at the end of the opening period when Ade Olorunda punished a defensive mistake and extra-time was on the cards until Charlie Farmer nabbed a 92nd minute winner for EP.

The result means that Rye - quarter-finalists in the 2010/11 competition - were unsuccessful in their quest to reach the last 32 for the third time in four seasons. EP will be one of two Sussex sides in today’s draw for the next stage along with Eastbourne United AFC.

See Friday’s Rye Observer for a full report and reaction.