Last gasp Clarke earns replay

Clarke netted his third header of the season to clinch a 2-2 draw away to Greenwich Borough yesterday (Saturday) and set up a replay at Hailsham Town FC on Wednesday night.

Chris Gould had earlier given Sussex County Football League Division One side Sidley a half time lead with a wonder strike only for Greenwich, from the equivalent-standing Kent Premier Division, to go 2-1 up.

Rye United, also of Sussex Division One, suffered a disappointing 5-1 defeat away to Ryman Division One South outfit in the same competition despite Matt Maclean scoring his ninth goal of the season.

Worthing drew first blood in the 15th minute from a corner and although Maclean headed home a Sam Adams cross to equalise five minutes later, the hosts led 2-1 at half time as a result of poor defending from Rye.

Kenny Pogue missed a great chance to make it 2-2 on the hour and Worthing went 3-1 up five minutes later. The Rebels netted twice more in the closing 10 minutes, the first of them from the penalty spot.

Bexhill United, from Sussex Division Two, pulled off a terrific 4-2 win after extra-time away to Division One team East Grinstead Town in round one of the John O’Hara League Challenge Cup.

Darrol Parris’s Bexhill side twice led in normal time through Will Dunstall and Steve Morris only to be pegged back. There was no stopping Bexhill in extra-time, though, as goals from Andy Garman and Nathan Tudor put them through.

Jared Lusted, Jamie Crone and Chris Cumming-Bart were on target as Little Common won 3-1 away to Oakwood in Division Two, while Westfield drew 1-1 at home to Rustington after taking an early lead through Gordon Cuddington.

Full reports on each of these matches will appear in Friday’s Observers.