Sidley nab draw but Rye lose

Chris Agutter scored a last minute equaliser with a cross from the right that seemed to go straight in despite Jason Taylor’s attempts to get a touch.

Sidley conceded in the very first minute of the Sussex County Football League Division One fixture after failing to clear their lines and went two-down at the start of the second half from a corner.

But they raised their game thereafter and Allan McMinigal pulled one back with a good strike from the edge of the area which went in off the post before Agutter pinched a point right at the end.

Rye United, meanwhile, lost 3-1 away to Hassocks in the same division even though they “absolutely pulverised” their opponents during the first half according to manager Scott Price.

Hassocks opened the scoring when a flick on from a corner went straight in, but Andy Atkin headed home his third goal in as many games from a good ball by Anthony Storey to make it 1-1 at half time.

Rye lost the heavily influential Atkin with a neck injury early in the second half, though, and Hassocks went ahead with a great strike after poor defending and sealed their win when the ball bounced over Callum Christie.

See Friday’s Observers for full reports and reaction to both matches.

Standings (played-points): 1 East Preston 9-25, 2 Ringmer 8-19, 3 Peacehaven & Telscombe 8-17, 4 Redhill 8-17, 5 RYE UNITED 9-17, 6 Lancing 9-16, 7 Hassocks 9-16, 8 Lingfield 7-13, 9 Arundel 7-12, 10 Selsey 8-11, 11 Pagham 6-10, 12 Shoreham 9-10, 13 SIDLEY UNITED 8-10, 14 Dorking Wanderers 8-9, 15 Chichester City 10-9, 16 Crowborough Athletic 8-9, 17 East Grinstead Town 9-8, 18 Horsham YMCA 8-7, 19 St Francis Rangers 9-6, 20 Hailsham Town 7-6, 21 AFC Uckfield 8-5, 22 Worthing United 8-2.