Football fans treated to Christmas cracker

FESTIVE football fans enjoyed a proverbial Christmas cracker of a Sussex Division One contest between Sidley United and Rye & Iden United on Monday.
By The Newsroom
Published 30th Dec 2004, 11:21 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:06 BST

A bumper turnout of 245 at Gullivers witnessed the respective defences bearing plenty of gifts but it was Sidley who emerged merry following a 5-3 victory.

Graham Morris headed them in front after just six minutes only for former Hastings United star Duncan McArthur to fire in a magnificent long range leveller within a minute.

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Rye & Iden seized the initiative in the 15th minute when Peter Baker slotted home a penalty after Lewis Parsons was controversially deemed to have brought down seasonal debutant Shaun Loft.

Parity, on the scoreboard if not personnel levels, was restored when centre-half Morris slotted his seventh of the season from the spot after Nathan Godden was sent-off for foul language having been adjudged guilty of wrestling Kevin Rose to the floor.

Mark Lynch scrambled Sidley back in front just before half time but Rye & Iden equalised again when Rhodes headed in McArthur's 64th minute free kick. Near post strikes by Matt Dadswell (72) and Jordan Wood (90) ensured Sidley rose three places to sixth-from-bottom while Rye & Iden dropped a spot to third.

Related topics:RyeSidley