MPNFL 2021: Late goal gives Rye vital win over Chelsea

A Demons young gun slotted a goal with seconds to go to snatch a two-point win and put his side firmly in the finals frame in MPNFL Division 2.

Tommy Hughes celebrates one of his five goals for Rye on Saturday. Picture: Rye FNC

It was their goal at the start of the season.

Now, with one round remaining, Rye’s bid to play finals — for the first time since 2014 — is within touching distance.

And it could well be that a kid who was only 12 when the Demons last played finals has put them back there with a crucial kick.

With Rye trailing Chelsea by four points in the dying seconds on Saturday, Tom Hughes intercepted a Seagulls kick-in and slotted his fifth goal of the game to give the Demons a two-point win, 8.11 (59) to 7.15 (57).

“Tommy Hughes sharked it and went back and kicked a goal with about 30 seconds left,’’ Rye coach Adam Kirkwood said.

“So we all flooded back and the siren went.’’

Tommy Hughes kicks the match-winning goal. Picture: Rye FNC

The telling victory has Rye sitting in fifth spot with a game to go in MPNFL Division 2.

The Demons face Karingal in the final round.

Hughes poured praise on Hughes, who has kicked 28 goals this season to emerge as an exciting talent.

“He’s a good young player,’’ Kirkwood said.

“If he’s not the best small forward in the comp he’s one of them.

“He had a great day again.

“For a 20-year-old to cop as much attention as he gets he just keeps standing up so it’s fantastic.’’

Hughes celebrates. Picture: Rye FNC

Kirkwood said he expects Karingal to be tough to beat next weekend but admits it’s an exciting time for his side.

“If we can win that one then we take fifth spot,’’ he said.

“We’re looking forward to seeing if we can achieve that goal that we set at the start of the year of playing finals.’’

While Hughes was named best-afield, Rye had many influential players, especially Matt McIndoe, Ben Dickson and wholehearted ruckman Ryan Williams.

Dickson kept Chelsea spearhead Curtis Bywater quiet.

“Someone was telling me that Bywater hasn’t been kept goalless for four years so that’s a huge result for Dicko,’’ Kirkwood said.

Campbell Roberts also had an important job and did it well, keeping Chelsea star Todd Gardiner in check.

Nick Strickland continued his fine season, as did Matt Hill and Nick Rowson.

Kirkwood described the victory as “one of the better wins that I’ve played in’’.

The loss was a harsh blow for Chelsea, which now cannot make finals.