Sidley cup hopes ended by Rye & Iden

RYE & Iden United booked their second consecutive appearance in the final of the John O'Hara League Challenge Cup by way of a 2-1 victory over neighbours Sidley United on Wednesday night.

By The Newsroom

Published 17th Feb 2005, 14:24 BST

Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:06 BST

Rye & Iden, who lost by the same scoreline to Arundel in the 2003-04 decider, will meet fellow Sussex Division One high-flyers Whitehawk at a venue to be decided on Good Friday, March 25.

Glyn White's side did the bulk of the work during the opening half hour, by which time they had opened up a two-goal lead courtesy of a 12th minute volley from former Sidley player Peter Baker and Sam Adams' close range finish in the 26th minute.

A comfortable passage looked on the cards at that stage, but Sidley, fourth-from-bottom in Division One and undoubted underdogs despite beating Rye & Iden 5-3 in the league on December 27, produced a spirited second half revival and the lively Adie Kettyles pulled one back in the 93rd minute - his first competitive goal for the club - but it came just too late to affect the result.