Defensive worries continue to plague Sidley

Although The Blues have kept two clean sheets in their last four games, they have managed just three shut-outs in their entire Sussex Division One programme to date and possess the third worst defensive record in the division.

After keeping Eastbourne Town at arm's length on Tuesday, last week, the old problems returned to haunt them again on Tuesday night as they contributed to second-placed neighbours Rye & Iden United's two match-winning goals.

As has been the case on many occasions during the season, United appeared relatively sound for the most part. But the failure to deal with a first half counter-attack and a scuffed clearance, resulted in their ninth loss from 15 away league fixtures.

"I just thought they were both sloppy goals which should have been avoided," said manager Andy Laskey. "It does sum up our season. We've not had that many teams score, what I consider, good goals against us where they've opened us up.

"We've changed it around at the back (personnel wise) and I'm happy with that. The Rye front two, who are obviously very gifted and skilful players, didn't really carve open (the two centre-halves) Lee Wood and Kevin Rose that much and they didn't get behind Finchy (left-back Jason Finch) all the time and the same with Graham Morris on the right hand side.

"In general we do seem okay and I'm quite happy with the way we're playing; the only frustrating thing is that we didn't pick any points up. A couple of back-to-back victories would help us."

Back-to-back victories they were denied, however, by goals in either half from rising star Sam Adams. The Sussex under-18 forward opened the scoring in the 26th minute, rounding off a flowing three man move immediately after a Sidley free kick was collected by Rye & Iden goalkeeper Will Toal.

He then notched a 54th minute second when he was sent clear by Tim Olorunda's pass following Greg Thurstans' mis-kicked clearance.

Jimmy Watson pulled one back in the 72nd minute from Steve Morris' flick and the provider twice came close to levelling as, in Laskey's view, "we looked perhaps the fitter of the two sides", towards the end.