2024/25

Sidley United 2 - 5 Bexhill A.A.C - ESFL Premier Division - Saturday 2nd November 2024

Halloween may have been this week but it was a defensive horror show from a depleted Sidley United side that allowed Bexhill A.A.C to pick up a first league win of the season on Saturday.

The Blues were missing all their recognised strikers as well as Gary Hempe and a makeshift side struggled to find any goal threat in the first half. But it was at the back that the damage was done. The visitors struck on 14 minutes when a corner clipped the crossbar and the striker reacted quickest to tap home.

Then static defending allowed Ben Ferguson to turn in the box and slot home a second goal on 16 minutes before a calamitous short goal kick routine allowed a third to be struck home on 22 minutes.

Sidley got a goal back on 38 minutes when Joe Lyne's free kick flew past the player elected to go in goal for the visitors who themselves were struggling and there was real hope for Sidley five minutes into the second half when the 'goalkeeper' fumbled Lyne's free kick allowing Archie Ball to stab the ball over the line to bring the arrears down to a single goal.

However, further defensive frailties cost the Blues as A.A.C sprung an offside trap and a cross from the right was headed home on 67 minutes before another error when an attempted backpass to Gray was too short and allowed the Athletic striker to slot home with ease on 82 minutes.

Sidley toiled but the damage was done and self-inflicted it was too. The Blues will hope for a better faring when they face the same opposition next week in the Second Round of the Macron Challenge Cup.

Sidley Team: Gray, L.Mote, Freeman, May, Lyne, S.Atkin, Carey, Thompson, Witham, Ball, Robb. Subs: Van Wyk, K.Atkin.

The J.C Tackleway 4 - 4 Sidley United - ESFL Premier Division - Saturday 26th October 2024

Sidley United will come away from this match not knowing if it was one point gained or two points dropped as a dramatic game against J.C Tackleway eventually finished all square.

With the match switched to Bexhill Road the Blues began well and Archie Ball put Sidley in front on 20 minutes. However that goal seemed to see the momentum shift and Tackleway found a deserved leveller on 40 minutes through Toby Payne.

But the second half saw the majority of the drama. Two minutes into the half, Sidley went back in front when Andy Atkin's header hit the bar and Tackleway half cleared the ball to Ian May, he unleashed a thunderous strike which arrowed into the top corner for a goal of the season contender.

However, Tackleway levelled on 54 minutes when a long throw saw Blues goalkeeper Ritchie Gray come to claim only to not get there and the Adam Reilly had a simple job to slot home. Things got worse as the home side took the lead on 60 minutes as Will Witham missed a clearance and the striker beat Gray to the ball on the byline and lifted it across for Reilly to tap in at the back post with Gary Hempe being sin-binned for his complaints in the aftermath.

Sidley levelled though after Hempe returned to the pitch and delivered a great free kick for Atkin to thump home a header on 77 minutes. The lead didn't last long though as Tackleway were awarded a penalty for handball against Ian May which was converted on 83 minutes by Reilly for his hat-trick.

But the Blues kept coming forward and levelled again on 85 minutes when a long throw landed at Atkin's feet and he smashed home an equaliser with a Tackleway player being sin-binned for complaining excessively.

There was still time for Sidley to almost win it in injury time as a long kick forward set Ball through on goal but the goalkeeper kept his effort out and Sidley had to settle in the end for a point.

Next week it's a crunch game as the Blues welcome basement side Bexhill A.A.C to Hooe Rec.

Sidley Team: Gray, May, Hempe, L.Mote, McCue, Carey, Lyne, Barton, T.Atkin, Ball, A.Atkin. Subs: Witham, S.Atkin, K.Atkin.

Sidley United 4 - 3 Sedlescombe Rangers - ESFL Premier Division - Saturday 12th October 2024

An ill disciplined Sedlescombe Rangers lost their heads as Sidley United scored two late goals to come from behind and win a topsy-turvy game in the ESFL Premier Division.

The visitors began well and took the lead on 8 minutes when they sprang the Sidley back line and Ben Steadman beat Ritchie Gray to the ball to slot home.

Despite that, the remainder of the half was a fairly even affair with neither side dominating the action but Sidley levelled when a cross into the box was handled by a Sedlescombe defender and Casey Ham stepped up to slam the ball into the bottom corner on 41 minutes.

The fact this game could have gone either way was reflected by the second half. Sidley took the lead on 52 minutes rather fortuitously as Charlie Laver attempted a cross from the left only to find it float over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net for his first Sidley goal.

But the soft defensive underbelly Sidley are prone to showing reared its head as Sedlescombe levelled on 56 minutes as Callum Ludlow was left unmarked at a corner to slam home before 2 minutes later some soft defending allowed Bradley Najair to dance his way through to round Gray and slot home to put the visitors in front.

But Sidley kept plugging away and equalised on 80 minutes when Tony Atkin went on a great run, cut inside and thundered a shot over the top of the Sedlescombe goalkeeper and into the net. Then Sidley went in front as Andy Atkin did well to get into the area and was brought down by a challenge from behind. Brother Tony Aktin took the spot kick and rolled the ball home to put the Blues back in front.

Sedlescombe were furious and saw a player sin-binned for dissent. They threw everything forward to find an equaliser but Sidley held on to claim a third success against Sedlescombe this season.

Red cards were shown to the Sedlescombe manager and a player after the final whistle with no doubt some action to be taken against them for their actions. For Sidley though it's a second league win of the season to move them up the table.

Sidley Team: Gray, May, Hempe, Jack, Carey, McCue, Lyne, Barton, Ball, Ham, A.Atkin. Subs: Laver, T.Atkin, S.Atkin, L.Mote, Rispoli.

Sidley United 2 - 2 Sedlescombe Rangers (Sidley United win 5 - 4 on penalties) - Macron Challenge Cup First Round - Saturday 28th September 2024

Sidley United produced the perfect penalty shoot out performance as they squeezed past bottom side Sedlescombe Rangers to progress into Round Two of the Macron Hastings Challenge Cup. 

The visitors enjoyed success in the league against Rangers earlier this month and seemed to get off to the perfect start here as Andy Atkin headed home a corner on 31 minutes to put Sidley in front but the visitors equalised almost immediately through Brooklyn Pennells as the first half ended level.

Pennells then grabbed a goal on 49 minutes to put Rangers in front and it looked as if Sidley might be heading for an early cup exit until a Rangers player headed a cross into his own net on 82 minutes to bring Sidley level. Both sides pushed for a winning goal but the game ended all square setting up a penalty shoot out.

Whilst Sidley scored all five of their penalties, goalkeeper Ritchie Gray's save meant that the Blues prevailed to set up a tie against Bexhill A.A.C in Round Two.

Sidley Team: Gray, May, Hempe, Jack, Carey, McCue, Lyne, S.Atkin, Ball, T.Atkin, A.Atkin. Subs: Laver, L.Mote, Rispoli.

Sidley United 1 - 2 Jesters Town - ESFL Premier Division - Saturday 21st September 2024

Two quickfire goals for Jesters Town was enough for them to claim three points as they held off a second half Sidley United fightback in the ESFL Premier Division. 

The visitors got off to a perfect start after 3 minutes as a throw in was flicked on and smashed home by Jake Barker. The Blues didn't learn that lesson as just 3 minutes later the visitors repeated the trick from a throw on the other side to double the lead, this time a scuffed strike from Muss Camara.

After that the game settled down and Sidley created some half chances with strikes from Archie Ball and Casey Ham coming closest as the sides got to the interval.

The second half saw Sidley having the better of the pressure and they pulled one back on 55 minutes as the ball found Ham just inside the left of the penalty area and he executed a lovely lobbed finish over the Jesters goalkeeper and into the net.

Sidley pushed for an equaliser with Ricky Mote heading over from a corner although Sidley were indebted to Ritchie Gray for at least 2 fantastic stops to deny Jesters a killer third goal with them also hitting the post late on.

A battling performance from the Blues who, aside from the opening 6 minutes, were worthy of at least a draw. However they finish the first quarter of their league campaign with 3 points on the board.

Sidley Team: Gray, May, Hempe, Jack, Carey, Witham (K.Atkin), S.Atkin (L.Mote), R.Mote, Rispoli, Ball, Ham.

Sedlescombe Rangers 0 - 2 Sidley United - ESFL Premier Division - Saturday 14th September 2024

Sidley United got off the mark for the season after an away win at Sedlescombe Rangers for their first points of the ESFL season.

Sedlescombe dropped down from the Mid Sussex League and are going through a period of rebuilding - similar to the Blues a few years ago - and on this basis they may find the ESFL tough going. Casey Ham got Sidley in front after 6 minutes and they had chances to extend the lead in the first half.

After the half time interval, the game continued the same pattern and Ben Barton headed in Sidley's second goal on 58 minutes for his first goal for the club to double the lead.

Sidley saw more chances come and go and had they been more clinical the scoreline could have been more convincing but they did enough and were defensively solid to ensure three points on the road and finally get their ESFL campaign underway.

Next week it's another tough task as we welcome last season's Division One champions Jesters Town to Hooe Rec.

Sidley Team: Gray, May, Hempe, McCue, Jack, Carey, Thompson, Ball, Barton, Ham, A.Atkin. Subs: K. Atkin, S.Atkin, L.Mote, Rispoli, Witham.

Rye Town 4 - 2 Sidley United - ESFL Premier Division - Saturday 7th September 2024

Sidley United may still be without a point in the ESFL Premier Division but they can take much heart from a battling performance as they gave double champions Rye Town a real battle.

The Blues have been beset by absent players and injuries at the start of the season but debutants Casey Ham and Ben Barton offered Sidley some fresh impetus and they battled well in the first half. Despite seeing Rye strike through Tom Hughes and Dan Kearley, goals from Sam Atkin and Ham saw Blues go in at the break level at 2 - 2.

Unfortuantely the second half saw Rye take the game away from the Blues with 2 soft goals that were scored by Alfie Weller and Bailey Phillips but Sidley can be pleased with a much improved overall performance as they seek some stability to get their campaign up and running.

Next week they have the chance to do just that as they travel to an also struggling Sedlescombe Rangers.

Sidley Team: Gray, May, Hempe, McCue, Carey, Rispoli, Thompson, S.Atkin, Barton, Ball, Ham. Subs: K.Atkin, L.Mote.

Sidley United 1 - 5 Westfield II - ESFL Premier Division - Saturday 31st August 2024

Sidley United remain without a point after a second half implosion saw Westfield run away with this match to claim victory.

Andy Atkin returned to lead the Sidley line and the first half was an even aware with Sidley making much of the early pushing. However a quick Westfield counter saw the visitors get in on the right hand side and slot beyond Gray in the Sidley goal after 19 minutes.

Blues rallied and some neat intricate play around the edge of the area won a free kick. Joe Lyne stepped up to curl a beautiul free kick into the top corner to level the scores on 26 minutes. Sidley had chances through Tony Atkin and Archie Ball but were unable to get in front as the half came to an end deadlocked.

Sidley may have felt this was the game to get their season up and running but it all started to go wrong when Jay Tomlin headed Westfield back in front on 52 minutes. Then on 61 minutes Sidley switched off at a free kick expecting the shot at goal and instead the ball was slid into the striker who eventually forced the ball past Gray.

Then, Lyne was shown a rather harsh straight red card as he went in with his studs to win the ball when yellow may have been more appropriate. Two goals and a man down, Sidley then were overran as Westfield struck a fourth with a player left in space on the left hand side on 72 minutes before Sidley conceded a fifth on 75 minutes as Gray scythed downthe down the striker, the referee chose not to award the penalty as the ball was cut back and fired into the net.

Blues continued to battle but with players unavailable and others strugggling with injuries, it proved too much today against a well structured Westfield side.

It doesn't get any easier for the Blues as next week they travel to 2 time champions Rye Town.

Sidley Team: Gray, May, Hempe, Carey, McCue, Lyne, S.Atkin, Rispoli, T.Atkin, Ball, A.Atkin. Subs: Freeman, K.Atkin, L.Mote.

Hollington United 5 - 0 Sidley United - ESFL Premier Division - Saturday 24th August 2024

Sidley United began the 2024/25 campaign with defeat to local rivals Hollington United.

The Blues fielded some new faces and had some early chances to open the scoring but fell behind to Archie Baker's goal. Two further strikes from former Sedlescombe Rangers Reserve player Zak Boutwood gave the home side a commanding lead at the break.

Sidley continued bravely to battle against the circumsances but an own goal made it 4 - 0 before Danny Woodley wrapped up the scoring for Hollington. Tough for Sidley with a number of players still unavailable.

Sidley Team: Gray, May, Hempe, Jack, McCue, Eldridge, Rispoli, Carey, Lyne, Brett, T.Atkin. Subs: S.Atkin, Freeman, Witham, L.Mote.