Sidley seal hard-fought victory

The Blues went behind to a fifth minute goal from Shane Saunders in a closely-contested Sussex County Football League Division One encounter.

But they equalised five minutes later when Jason Taylor’s corner was punched straight up in the air and the ball rebounded into the net off Danny Spice’s back.

Sidley grabbed their winner in the 66th minute, Sean Kelly tapping home from close range after great work from Taylor and the impressive Kevin Barden on the right.

Sidley (4-4-2): Bourne; Chandler, Spice, Cruikshank, Cody; Taylor (Russell 86), Kelly, McDonald, Bird (Darby 58); Payne, Barden (Miles 76). Subs not used: Whiteman, Rogers.

A full report and reaction will appear in Friday’s Bexhill Observer.

Rye United’s match away to Lingfield in the same division was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, meaning Rye are yet to reach the midway point in their league programme.

It also means that Rye face the prospect of not having played 90 minutes for 18 days going into the weekend’s FA Vase quarter-final at Kings Lynn Town.

Manager Scott Price therefore plans to field a near full strength side in the reserve team game at home to table-topping Sidley tonight (Wednesday).