2024/25

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.