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Shooting boots missing for Blues at Battle

Battle Baptists 1 - 0 Sidley United - ESFL Premier Division.

Sidley United were left to rue an inability to turn possession into goals as they slipped to a first defeat of the season at Battle Baptists.

Blues started well against last year's runners up with Jordan Cole going close to opening the scoring. The best chance though fell to Micky O'Callaghan, playing further upfield, who had two efforts well blocked.

Battle hadn't created much but they grabbed the lead on 39 minutes with a well taken goal. A deflection took the ball into the path of Jules Phillips who cleverly chipped the onrushing Rogers and saw the effort go in off the underside of the bar.

Sidley thought they had equalised right on the half time whistle as Dan Hill hooked an effort from a corner towards goal which the goalkeeper pushed away but Blues players felt that the ball had crossed the line first. However the referee instead blew for half time instead of a goal.

Sidley dominated the second half and had several chances. First Hill flashed an effort wide after latching on to a weak header back to the goalkeeper before a dangerous Hempe free kick somehow evaded the onrushing Blues players.

Battle had chances to wrap up the game on the break late on as Sidley pushed forward but some great last minute challenges and wayward finishing kept the Blues in the game.

However Sidley were unable to convert their pressure into a goal meaning they slipped to a first league defeat of the campaign.

Sidley Team: Rogers, May, Hempe, Eldridge, Copley, Carey, Sanderson, Hill (Bailey), Elphick, O'Callaghan (Brockhurst), Cole.

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