Three see red in Sidley victory

Two second half goals saw The Blues clinch a welcome Sussex Division One victory from a local derby which ended nine against 10 following three sendings-off.

Laskey said: "It was a pleasing day really. We looked a little bit nervous early on, but I thought we looked in control of the game in the second half."

Graham Morris failed a late fitness test to join a lengthy list of absentees which included Peter Baker, Owen Ball, Chris Honey, Peter Newstead, Stuart Playford, Jimmy Watson, Nick Whiteman and Jordan Wood.

Third-bottom Rye probably had slightly more of the game, but fourth-bottom Sidley played the better football during a goalless first 45 minutes.

The home team had three decent chances to score before the break; Marc Gall firing over, Andy Garman's surging run being ended by a last-gasp intervention from the returning Lee Wood and a Chris Gould lob which was easily saved by the impressive Jon Saunders.

At the other end, Mickey O'Callaghan's own goal was ruled out for offside against Steve Morris and Keith Miles was inches away from the top corner, while Paul Balch had one effort blocked near the goal-line and another palmed away by Jon Gardner.

The visitors went in front on 52 minutes courtesy of a perfectly-executed looping header from Mark Funnell following a right wing cross by former Rye & Iden United manager Miles.

Ten minutes later, one time Sidley goalkeeper Gardner was given his second red card in three games for handling Miles' lob outside his penalty area after a great through ball by Scott McDonald.

Not long after, Mickey O'Callaghan, who had a brief spell with Sidley earlier in the season, and Miles were given straight red cards following an ugly bout of wrestling near the corner flag. The two players then had to be escorted back to the dressing rooms as the feud seemed set to continue after they left the field.

Sidley made sure of ending their four-match losing run when Adam Day nodded in Paul Henty's 73rd minute centre.