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Blues claim point in dramatic Tackleway game

The J.C Tackleway 4 - 4 Sidley United - ESFL Premier Division

Sidley United will come away from this match not knowing if it was one point gained or two points dropped as a dramatic game against J.C Tackleway eventually finished all square.

With the match switched to Bexhill Road the Blues began well and Archie Ball put Sidley in front on 20 minutes. However that goal seemed to see the momentum shift and Tackleway found a deserved leveller on 40 minutes.

But the second half saw the majority of the drama. Two minutes into the half, Sidley went back in front when Andy Atkin's header hit the bar and Tackleway half cleared the ball to Ian May, he unleashed a thunderous strike which arrowed into the top corner for a goal of the season contender.

However, Tackleway levelled on 54 minutes when a long throw saw Blues goalkeeper Ritchie Gray come to claim only to not get there and the Tackleway forward had a simple job to slot home. Things got worse as the home side took the lead on 60 minutes as Will Witham missed a clearance and the striker beat Gray to the ball on the byline and lifted it across for a tap in at the back post with Gary Hempe being sin-binned for his complaints in the aftermath.

Sidley levelled though after Hempe returned to the pitch and delivered a great free kick for Atkin to thump home a header on 77 minutes. The lead didn't last long though as Tackleway were awarded a penalty for handball against Ian May which was converted on 83 minutes.

But the Blues kept coming forward and levelled again on 85 minutes when a long throw landed at Atkin's feet and he smashed home an equaliser with a Tackleway player being sin-binned for complaining excessively.

There was still time for Sidley to almost win it in injury time as a long kick forward set Ball through on goal but the goalkeeper kept his effort out and Sidley had to settle in the end for a point.

Next week it's a crunch game as the Blues welcome basement side Bexhill A.A.C to Hooe Rec.

Sidley Team: Gray, May, Hempe, L.Mote, McCue, Carey, Lyne, Barton, T.Atkin, Ball, A.Atkin. Subs: Witham, S.Atkin, K.Atkin.

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