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Battling Blues bow out of Intermediate Cup

Sidley United 2 - 3 Ringmer AFC - Sussex FA Intermediate Cup Second Round   

A brilliant effort from Sidley United ultimately wasn't enough as Ringmer came from two goals behind to progress into the next round of the Sussex FA Intermediate Cup. 

The Blues began positively against their Mid Sussex Premier Division opponents and the first half was a tight affair. Sidley already had an early goal disallowed for a push before Andy Atkin went close with a header from a corner before Ringmer had an effort scrambled off the line.

Sidley then hit the crossbar around the half hour mark as both teams battled to get in front but the way the Blues took the lead owed to a large slice of good fortune. Archie Ball's cross from the right took a wicked bounce which deceived Ringmer goalkeeper and ended up in the far corner of the net on 44 minutes. 

Sidley believed they could continue in the same vein in the second half and despite loing Atkin to injury, they doubled the lead on 60 minutes as Louis Haffenden got onto a long ball forward, beat the Ringmer goalkeeper and slotted home to make it 2 - 0 to the Blues.

Sensing that they had to throw everything at it now, Ringmer did just that and they got a goal back on 64 minutes as the ball was cut back and finished from close range by Daniel Fox.

With their tails up, Sidley dropped deeper and suddenly started to look fragile. Ringmer took advantage of this change in momentum and levelled the scores on 77 minutes as Joey Pout struck with Sidley hoping that an offside flag might save them.

With the scores level now it was the visitors who would strike late on as on 84 minutes Jack Craig slotted home at the far post from a mis-hit shot. There was still time for some late Sidley pressure with a number of corners but ultimately Ringmer held on to take the win.

A frustrating last half an hour was compounded with a red card after the full time whistle for Will Witham, an unnecessary petulant action towards the referee.

The Blues will now turn their attention to league action as they continue to try to rise up the table.

Sidley Team: Gray, Hempe, Britt, Mote, Carey, Dann, Witham, Ball, Day, Haffenden, Atkin (Bradbury).

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