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Battling Blues comeback to earn draw

Sidley United 2 - 2 Rye Town - ESFL Premier Division

A battling second half comeback saw Sidley United earn a valuable point against double champions Rye Town.

The Blues performed well in the first half but it looked as if mistakes were going to put paid to their chances of taking anything from the game. A free kick into the box was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Gary Hempe on 10 minutes. 

Sidley kept plugging away and created some half chances with Rye enjoying more of the possession but failing to create too much threat on the Sidley goal. However 2 minutes before half time, Sidley goalkeeper Ritchie Gray failed to clear a backpass allowing Rye's Callum Hadaway a simple task to tap home to double the visitors lead.

Into the second half though Sidley kept plugging away and when a free kick from the left was played in, Andy Atkin rose to head home on 50 minutes to reduce the arrears.

With their tails up Sidley went on the front foot and after another a free kick was played in, a bit of pinball in the box eventually saw Archie Ball stab home an equaliser on 70 minutes.

The Blues felt the game was there to win but some flashpoints saw bookings on both sides which raised the tension in the final moments. Both sides hit long balls to try and fashion a late winner but in the end time ran out and the match finished level.

A valiant performance and comeback from the Blues who will take heart from this against one of the top sides in the league. They will hope to replicate that when they travel to face Jesters Town next week.

Sidley Team: Gray, L.Mote, Hempe, May, K.Atkin, Lyne, S.Atkin, Robb, Ball, Dawes, A.Atkin. Subs: Witham.

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