Atkin hits treble in Rye win

The former Eastbourne Borough striker’s triple blast took his season’s goal tally to 18 and Rye manager Scott Price admitted Rye would’ve been hammered had Atkin been playing for Arundel.

Atkin put Rye ahead against the run of play and although Arundel levelled through a Sean Kelly own goal, Atkin ensured the visitors led at half time in their latest Sussex County Football League Division One encounter.

Rye upped their game in the second period and Atkin completed his treble before coming off with a tight hamstring. His replacement, Dominic Clarke, made it 4-1 with virtually his first touch. Arundel nabbed a late consolation.

Elsewhere in the same division, Sidley United achieved a very creditable 1-1 draw away to in-form East Grinstead Town on Friday night and were only denied the win by an injury time equaliser.

Sidley, who have improved markedly of late, did a good job of frustrating the opposition and took a second half lead when Jack Cooper’s goalbound header deflected into the net.

Full reports on both matches will appear in Friday’s Observers.

Standings (played-points): 1 Peacehaven & Telscombe 17-40, 2 East Preston 17-39, 3 RYE UNITED 18-39, 4 Redhill 16-35, 5 Hassocks 18-34, 6 Ringmer 16-32, 7 Lancing 18-31, 8 East Grinstead Town 19-30, 9 Lingfield 17-30, 10 Pagham 16-29, 11 Horsham YMCA 17-25, 12 St Francis Rangers 18-24, 13 SIDLEY UNITED 17-22, 14 Crowborough Athletic 18-22, 15 Arundel 17-21, 16 Dorking Wanderers 18-19, 17 Shoreham 18-19, 18 Hailsham Town 15-18, 19 Selsey 18-16, 20 AFC Uckfield 17-9, 21 Chichester City 20-9, 22 Worthing United 17-3.