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Stevens double denies Blues opening day win

Sidley United 2 - 2 Rye Town - ESFL Premier Division 

A second half double from Rye's Charlie Stevens denied Sidley United an opening day victory in a topsy-turvy match.

With some new additions this season the Blues began positively and took the lead on 17 minutes when a neat move released Archie Ball who fired a low strike through the Rye goalkeeper and into the net.

The Blues thought they had added a second goal when Nathan Crabb's clever header hit the inside of the post and seemed to hit the stanchion before rebounding out but no goal was awarded. Despite this Sidley kept attacking their visitors and scored a second goal when Crabb's cross from the right was toed past his own goalkeeper by a Rye defender on 42 minutes.

But the second half started badly as the ball struck a Sidley hand and a penalty was awarded on 47 minutes which Stevens confidently smashed past Ritchie Gray in the Sidley goal.

A fussy refereeing performance saw a lot of decisions go against the Blues and one such decision led to a free kick which Stevens brilliantly struck into the top corner to level the scores on 84 minutes. 

Both sides pushed for a winner and had chances to win it with both Gray and the Rye goalkeeper making vital stops as the game reached a bemusing 15 minutes of stoppage time but in the end both sides had to settle for a point on the opening day.

On this showing both sides will be hoping they will be contesting at the top end of the table. Next week Sidley travel to newly promoted Northiam 75.

Sidley Team: Gray, L.Mote, Amoun, May, Tomlinson, S.Atkin, Smith, Ball, Manning, Crabb, Rogers. Subs: Finch, Van Wyk, T.Atkin.

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