Sidley win again; Rye run continues

Ricky Martin put Sidley on the road to a 4-2 victory over Arundel last night

Rye drew 2-2 at home to second-placed Redhill to make it nine games without defeat under joint managers Marc Gall and Anthony Storey, while elsewhere in Sussex County Football League Division One, Sidley celebrated their fifth victory in six matches with a 4-2 success at home to Arundel.

Matt Darby teed up Ricky Martin to give Sidley a 10th minute lead and Gregg Berry doubled the advantage 10 minutes later following an excellent tackle by Chris Agutter. Berry fired just wide before Lewis Jenkins pulled one back for Arundel against the run of play in the 39th minute.

Arundel hit the post and Sidley goalkeeper Greg Nessling made a good save early in the second half before an away defender turned a Sidley free kick into his own net to restore the Blues’ two-goal cushion in the 56th minute.

After Sidley struck the crossbar and Nessling made a great double save, Terry Payne made it 4-1 in the 79th minute with a terrific lob. Arundel nabbed a late consolation with a stunning solo goal by David Herbert.

Rye took the lead midway through the first half via Andy Atkin’s 24th goal of the season only for Redhill to level on 34 minutes thanks to Gavin Gordon. The visitors blasted a penalty over the bar in the first 10 minutes of the second period, but John Difford gave them a 2-1 lead just before the hour.

Olly Lockyer equalised for Rye 10 minutes from time and Redhill had their goalkeeper sent-off for violent conduct, but there was no further scoring. See Friday’s Observers for full reports on both games.

Standings (played-points): 1 Peacehaven & Telscombe 34-75, 2 Redhill 35-72, 3 Pagham 35-67, 4 Ringmer 38-67, 5 East Preston 30-65, 6 Lingfield 35-64, 7 RYE UNITED 32-63, 8 Hassocks 38-63, 9 East Grinstead Town 36-59, 10 St Francis Rangers 36-55, 11 Horsham YMCA 35-50, 12 Lancing 35-49, 13 Hailsham Town 32-47, 14 SIDLEY UNITED 35-43, 15 Arundel 34-43, 16 Selsey 37-40, 17 Crowborough Athletic 36-39, 18 Dorking Wanderers 36-36, 19 Chichester City 37-35, 20 Shoreham 35-34, 21 AFC Uckfield 34-12, 22 Worthing United 35-11.