2025/26

Northiam 75 1 - 5 Sidley United - ESFL Premier Division - Saturday 6th September 2025

Sidley United recovered from a disastorous first minute to come from behind and claim their first win of the season with Nathan Crabb bagging a hat-trick.

The Blues fell behind after just 35 seconds as a move down the left saw a cross missed by two Blues defenders allowing the grateful striker to slot home.

But Sidley recovered well and got on top against a struggling Northiam side who had to bring on their only substitute early on owing to an injury. Sidley's pressure eventually told when some quick feet from Crabb saw him brought down in the area for a penalty. Crabb stepped up and although Northiam stopper Joe Ramsden got a hand to the spot kick it nestled in the corner to bring the Blues level.

Sidley were now well on top but it was a slice of luck that gave them the lead as a cross from the right was headed past his own goalkeeper by a Northiam defender on 30 minutes. Despite some more chances coming Sidley's way they went in at the break leading by a single goal margin.

However the Blues added a third goal on 47 minutes when a mix up at the back let Crabb in to round Ramsden and slot home.

Northiam were reduced to 10 men when their subsitute himself had to go off and Sidley controlled the game. There was a flashpoint on the 60 minute mark when a poor challenge led to a reaction by Ian May earning both players a yellow card while the aforementioned injured Northiam player was shown a red card on the bench for foul and abusive language.

The Blues enjoyed further goals when a nice ball through played in Tony Atkin who slotted home just a minute after coming on in the 75th minute. And the icing on the cake was when Sidley overran the Northiam defence and Crabb poked the ball over the line on 86 minutes to complete his hat-trick.

Whilst Sidley may have won by an even greater scoreline they can be pleased with their afternoon's work. The Blues will have the chance to go top of the fledgling ESFL table if they can beat Sandhurst at home next week.

Sidley Team: Gray L.Mote, Finch, Ammoun, Tomlinson, May, S.Atkin, Smith, Van Wyk, Ball, Crabb. Subs: Robb, Brett, Hempe, T.Atkin. 

Sidley United 2 - 2 Rye Town - ESFL Premier Division - Saturday 30th August 2025

A second half double from Rye's Charlie Stevens denied Sidley United an opening day victory in a topsy-turvy match.

With some new additions this season the Blues began positively and took the lead on 17 minutes when a neat move released Archie Ball who fired a low strike through the Rye goalkeeper and into the net.

The Blues thought they had added a second goal when Nathan Crabb's clever header hit the inside of the post and seemed to hit the stanchion before rebounding out but no goal was awarded. Despite this Sidley kept attacking their visitors and scored a second goal when Crabb's cross from the right was toed past his own goalkeeper by a Rye defender on 42 minutes.

But the second half started badly as the ball struck a Sidley hand and a penalty was awarded on 47 minutes which Stevens confidently smashed past Ritchie Gray in the Sidley goal.

A fussy refereeing performance saw a lot of decisions go against the Blues and one such decision led to a free kick which Stevens brilliantly struck into the top corner to level the scores on 84 minutes. 

Both sides pushed for a winner and had chances to win it with both Gray and the Rye goalkeeper making vital stops as the game reached a bemusing 15 minutes of stoppage time but in the end both sides had to settle for a point on the opening day.

On this showing both sides will be hoping they will be contesting at the top end of the table. Next week Sidley travel to newly promoted Northiam 75.

Sidley Team: Gray, L.Mote, Ammoun, May, Tomlinson, S.Atkin, Smith, Ball, Manning, Crabb, Rogers. Subs: Finch, Van Wyk, T.Atkin.