Rye draw, Common lose

Ade Olorunda gave Rye the lead in the first minute of added time at the end of the first half, but John Buggy levelled within three minutes of the restart and the game ended 1-1.

Rye have finally now reached the midway point in their Sussex County Football League Division One programme and find themselves in 14th position, three places and four points above Shoreham having played one more game.

Elsewhere, Little Common’s first game of 2014 ended in a disappointing 2-1 loss away to Sussex Division Two strugglers Rustington despite debutant Paul Feakins giving them a 15th minute lead.

A freak own goal brought Rustington level in the 40th minute and the hosts hit the front a minute later. Common were denied an equaliser by a controversial decision early in the second half.

Having picked up just one point from their last four matches, Common are 11 points behind a Haywards Heath Town side which occupies the third and final promotion place with 11 fixtures remaining.

See Friday’s Observers for full reports on both matches.

Westfield’s scheduled visit from Saltdean United and Bexhill United’s trip to Wick & Barnham United, both in Division Two, were postponed due to waterlogged pitches following heavy rain on Friday night.