Pelling back for Pagham showdown

The accomplished goalkeeper is expected to be in the side for the Sussex RUR Charity Cup third round tie at home to Pagham.

Pelling has been sidelined for more than two months with an ankle injury sustained kicking the ground in the 1-0 win over St Francis Rangers on Saturday August 27.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion youngster, 20, was a key figure in Rye’s success last season and made a number of top drawer saves in their memorable FA Vase run.

Tomorrow’s clash brings the league’s top two together for the second time in four weeks and Rye will be eager to atone for their 2-1 loss at The Salts in the league.

Their manager Scott Price said: “Saturday’s a bigger game for me (than the midweek Sussex Senior Cup game against Bognor Regis Town) because it’s a cup we can win.

“For me personally I need to win something this year having kept similar players and probably being a slightly stronger side (than last season), but it can’t get any harder.”

Rye are two points behind Pagham in the league having played three more matches. Pagham have won 18 of their 20 games in all competitions to date.

“I think I would’ve preferred it away,” continued Price, who expects Ben Radley and Luke Woodley to be fit. “We just seem to play better away from home.

“They’ve only lost one all season and they will be full of confidence, but if we could beat them it will give us that psychological edge for when we go down there.”

See today’s Rye Observer for the full article.