Sidley and Rye set for derby

Both sides’ seasons in Division One of the Sussex County Football League have showed signs of fizzling out of late, but the always eagerly-anticipated derby is sure to get the juices flowing again.

Having rotated the squad for the past couple of games, Rye are expected to field their strongest available side which is set to include former Brighton & Hove Albion professional Paul Watson.

Sidley are set to be without leading scorer Terry Payne, but Dan Cruikshank and Jason Taylor are likely to return, and Chris Rea will probably be back in the starting line-up. Kick-off is 7.45pm.

Rye missed a host of chances in the 1-0 defeat at home to Selsey on Saturday, while Sidley conceded two goals in the space of three second half minutes to lose 2-0 at home to Pagham.

In Division Two, Linton Rogers scored a dramatic last minute winner to give Bexhill United a 3-2 victory at home to Mile Oak. Andy Atkin and Allan McMinigal had struck early in the second half to put Bexhill 2-0 up.

Goals from Ryan Alexander, Lewis Hole and Alex Humphrey gave Little Common a 3-1 victory away to East Preston, but Westfield were edged out 3-2 at leaders Lancing having led 2-1.

Full reports on each of these matches will appear in Friday’s Observers.