2020/21

Sidley United 2 - 3 Forest Row - MSFL Premier Division - Saturday 19th September 2020

Sidley United were edged out by Forest Row in yet another crazy encounter between the sides as the Blues finished with 10 men for the second meeting in a row. 

The match, sponsored by Hastings Direct, saw a remarkable start as Elliot Benton fired the visitors into the lead in the first minute with a strike into the top corner from just inside the penalty area. 

However Sidley responded 90 seconds later as Charlie Cornford drove down the left and from the tightest of angles he somehow found the far corner of the net to level. And the drama continued as Sidley went in front after 4 minutes as Sean Baldwin's shot was fumbled by the goalkeeper and Lee Carey was on hand to mop up the rebound. 

The visitors drew level on 22 minutes though as the home side failed to clear their lines and George Holah took full advantage and slotted home from the edge of the area. And the goals continued as Alex Evans' overlapping run saw him finish low past Joe Rogers to put Forest Row back in front on 34 minutes.

The game then took another turn in favour of the visitors as a scuffle saw Alan Foster shown a second yellow card and the Blues were reduced to 10 men for the entirety of the second half. 

In the second period, another flashpoint occurred after 55 minutes. Sidley thought they had levelled but the flag belatedly went up for offside. After consulting with the linesman, the referee pulled the play back to award Sidley a free kick for a foul earlier in the move. 

Both sides created chances to alter the scoreline as Rogers made a good save with his feet to deny Forest Row while Cornford went close with a powerful drive before his stoppage time free kick was deflected and the goalkeeper did well to change direction and keep the ball out. 

A tough match against a side who no doubt will be at the sharp end come the business end of the season. The Sidley Man of the Match was Toby Clifford. TheBlues have another tough match next week as they travel to Ringmer AFC. 

Sidley Team: Rogers, Clifford, Walker, Saunders (Taylor), Elliott-Noye (Ellis), Bristow, Wells (Trickett), Foster, Cornford, Carey, Baldwin. 

Rotherfield 1 - 2 Sidley United - MSFL Premier Division - Saturday 12th September 2020

Sidley United made it two wins from two in the Mid Sussex Premier Division as they came from behind to beat Rotherfield. 

The Blues never quite hit the heights of the previous week but they still enjoyed the majority of the chances in the first half. Dom Bristow fired wide when well placed, the returning Charlie Cornford found the side net on a couple of occasions and Sean Baldwin just failed to make contact with a far post header. 

The home side perhaps had the biggest opportunity though as a cross from the right found striker Baz Ajala unmarked 12 yards out but on the stretch he turned the ball over the bar. 

Just 3 minutes into the second half, Sidley found themselves behind as a through ball saw Ajala break through the defence and he rounded Joe Rogers, who had come out to meet him, before slotting the ball home. 

That goal seemed to stir the Blues who were back level on 55 minutes. Baldwin picked up the ball with his back to goal and he rolled his marker before firing low into the corner of the net from 25 yards. 

The Blues dominated the remainder of the half and they eventually picked their way through again with a quality goal. Bristow came forward and played a lovely one-two before dancing his way into the area and finishing past the home goalkeeper on 70 minutes. 

Sidley may have put the game to bed but Baldwin put wide when through one on one and a terrifically struck effort from subsitute Ash Elphick flew just wide of the far post. However those missed chances mattered little as Sidley saw out a surprising 6 minutes worth of stoppage time to claim all three points. 

Alan Foster (sponsored by Knight Accountants) was named the Sidley Man of the Match. The Blues are at home next Saturday as they welcome Forest Row to Little Common Rec. 

Sidley Team: Rogers, Clifford, Walker, McEniry (Elliott-Noye), Saunders, Bristow, Wells, Foster, Cornford (Elphick), Carey, Baldwin (Trickett). 

Sidley United 3 - 1 Lindfield - MSFL Premier Division - Saturday 5th September 2020

Sidley United got off to a winning start at their new home as they enjoyed an opening day victory over Lindfield at Little Common Rec. 

The match, sponsored by Hastings Direct began with both teams looking dangerous. A good low save from goalkeeper Michael Platt prevented the visitors going in front before Rosh Wells headed wide from close range after a good cross by Alan Foster.

Sidley took the lead on 23 minutes in style as Lee Carey spotted Mike McDonald off his line and lobbed the ball beautifully over the Lindfield goalkeeper and into the net from 35 yards.

And Sidley went into the break two goals to the good as, on 42 minutes, Wells whipped in a delicious free kick from the left which was powerfully headed home by Zac McEniry.

At the start of the second half the Blues rather gifted Lindfield a route back into the game as on 53 minutes the ball was played back to Platt who took a little too long and his clearance was charged down by Aaron Walsh, rebounding off the striker and rolling into the Sidley net.

Sidley dug in as Lindfield searched for the equaliser although neither side could quite get on top with a number of niggly fouls disrupting the flow of the game. It looked as though Sidley would hold on for the narrow win but in the final minute Danny Ellis beat the defender to a loose ball to roll it into the far corner and seal the win.

A good start to life in the Premier Division for a Blues team who did not make a substitution against a side traditionally competing at the top end. The Man of the Match was Lee Carey for his excellent opening goal and his all round link up play.

Sidley Team: Platt, Walker, Clifford, McEniry, Saunders, Bristow, Wells, Ellis, Foster, Carey, Baldwin.