Sidley scrape past 8-man Bexhill

The Blues eventually prevailed 3-2 after extra-time even though Bexhill equalised twice with 10 men in an eventful and good spirited final at The Pilot Field on Tuesday night.

Sean Kelly volleyed home Lawrence Brand’s 26th minute cross to put Sidley ahead and Bexhill goalkeeper Ben Oakman somehow escaped with a yellow card rather than red for dragging down Liam Miles eight minutes later.

Terry Payne then struck the crossbar with a thumping header and later had an 85th minute penalty saved by Ben White after Oakman was shown a straight red for upending Milton Miltiadou as he was about to tap home.

Bexhill snatched an equaliser in the second minute of added time through Scott McDonald, but Sidley restored their lead in the third minute of extra-time thanks to Jason Taylor.

Jack Woodward headed home Chris Gould’s 98th minute corner to make it 2-2, yet moments after Marc Munday was shown a second yellow card, Sidley grabbed the winner as Matt Dadswell headed in Miltiadou’s cross. Chris Storrs received his second yellow in the third minute of added time at the end of extra-time.

Elsewhere, Rye United conceded a late equaliser to draw 3-3 away to Arundel in Division One of the Sussex County League. Full reports on both matches will appear in Friday’s Observers.