Rye win but Sidley lose

Rye began their home programme with a 2-1 win against Hailsham Town, but Sidley lost 3-1 at home to Crowborough Athletic in Sussex County Football League Division One.

Andy Atkin gave third-placed Rye a 14th minute lead on his home debut by heading home an Anthony Storey corner and then glanced on another Storey flag kick for Scott Ramsay to turn home number two in the 42nd minute.

Rye had cruised through the first half despite losing Nick Holland and Shaun Loft to injury in the opening 25 minutes, but took their foot off the pedal after the break and the second period was much more of a contest.

Former Little Common player Ryan Alexander struck Rye’s post with a cracking free kick before Hailsham nabbed a consolation right at the end when a Shane Saunders header was adjudged to have crossed the line.

Sidley’s run of back-to-back wins over Hailsham and Lancing came to an end despite the Blues opening the scoring through Matt Darby midway through the first half.

Harry Thompson ensured Crowborough reached the break on level terms, though, and second half strikes by Chris Ransome and Sam Carrington won it for the visitors.

Full reports on both matches will appear in Friday’s Observers.

Sussex County League Division One standings (played-points): 1 East Preston 8-22, 2 Ringmer 7-18, 3 RYE UNITED 8-17, 4 Peacehaven & Telscombe 7-16, 5 Redhill 7-14, 6 Lancing 8-13, 7 Hassocks 8-13, 8 Arundel 6-12, 9 Lingfield 6-10, 10 Pagham 5-10, 11 Shoreham 8-10, 12 Selsey 7-10, 13 Crowborough Athletic 7-9, 14 SIDLEY UNITED 7-9, 15 Dorking Wanderers 7-8, 16 Chichester City 9-8, 17 Horsham YMCA 7-7, 18 AFC Uckfield 7-5, 19 East Grinstead Town 8-5, 20 St Francis Rangers 8-3, 21 Hailsham Town 6-3, 22 Worthing United 7-2.