Hayes the hero for Sids ... Bosham hope for bumper crowd

Sidlesham's Callum Dowdell in action in the 2-2 draw with Upper Beeding / Picture by Kate Shemilt

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Sidlesham fought back to claim a point when Upper Beeding visited - while Bosham are preparing for a run-in they hope will land them the title.

Read about our SCFL division-two sides below, and get all the local football action in the Observer every Thursday.

Sidlesham 2 Upper Beeding 2

SCFL division two

Sidlesham staged a stirring fightback to claim a point in their first home game for six weeks.

Conditions were almost perfect for football with the pitch looking good and both sides trying to use it.

Upper Beeding, on the back of a 14-match unbeaten run, were to provide a tough test, starting the brighter, and they were soon ahead.

Slack marking in the Sidlesham defence allowed Kieron Stevens to ghost into the box unmarked and finish well.

This seemed to stun the home side and Ben Buckland got away down the right but his great cross was well defended by the away side.

Then Tom Kelly crossed for Tom Bayley but he seemed to scuff his shot and the keeper gathered, Bayley crossed for Kelly, who somehow missed from five yards out.

Beeding threatened on the break but most of the pressure came from Sidlesham.

The second half was more lively with the home side straight on the attack fbut without causing the away keeper too much trouble.

Beeding got the second against the run of play when a forward was upended by Dale Hayes and the free-kick by Jack Whittington found its way through the wall and into the net.

Sidlesham piled more and more pressure on in the final quarter and Dan Bassil slotted home after Callum Dowdell’s fine run and cross.

Bayley had a half-chance – twisting and turning in the box, he forced the keeper into a smart stop down to his right.

The visitors should have increased their lead but couldn’t beat Connor Kelly when a forward was through on goal.

In the last few minutes, after a succession of corners, Hayes rose highest to head home a deserved equaliser with 89 minutes on the clock.

Saturday sees Sidlesham on their travels to Jarvis Brook, who must win to keep alive any title hopes.

The following week Sids complete their home fixtures with Montpelier Villa the visitors.

Bosham boss Andy Probee is calling on the community to get behind the club as they close in on the SCFL division-two title.

The Robins need four points from their remaining three fixtures to guarantee the honour – though could clinch it this Saturday if they win at home to Roffey and Jarvis Brook fail to beat Sidlesham.

Probee is keen to see a healthy crowd at Walton Lane for the Roffey game (3pm) and again when Sidlesham visit on Easter Monday, April 17 (11am). A trip to Cowfold concludes the campaign on April 22.

The player-manager said: “We’ve had a great season so far, but Roffey and Sidlesham will be two really testing games for us – seeing some more local support could really help lift us over the line.

“Since Neil (Redman) and myself took over, we’ve won the Division Two Cup twice, but this year the league has been our primary objective, so to win